Bwindi Gorilla Sectors: Where to Trek Mountain Gorillas.
Gorilla Sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is found in the southwestern part of Uganda. It covers approximately 334 square kilometres. It is famous as one of the premier tourism spots in Uganda, offering gorilla safaris to visitors from across the globe. Bwindi is a significant habitat that hosts more than half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population. Therefore, it is one of the leading spots for gorilla trekking experiences.
Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of primates. They share 96% of their DNA with the DNA of humans. Therefore, they are the closest relatives to humans. Mountain gorillas are unique creatures. They are mostly herbivores. They feed on a variety of food that includes bamboo shoots, leaves, stems, and fruits. Occasionally, mountain gorillas have been observed feeding on termites and ants.
The mountain gorillas had, historically, been nearly wiped out in the 19th century. But the number of gorillas has risen significantly following a combination of the wild efforts of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and others. Today, Uganda is known the world over as a success story in the conservation of the gorilla, a highlight of the Ugandan gorilla safaris.
Uganda is now known worldwide for its excellent gorilla conservation, and this is one of the prime highlights of Ugandan gorilla safaris and ecotourism in the region. Apart from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, mountain gorillas also inhabit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the DRC. These parks are vital to Uganda’s survival of this regal creature, yet they provide more opportunities to the tourism industry, like gorilla trekking safaris and ecotourism in the region.
Buhoma Sector
The Buhoma sector, which is located in the northern part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and falls within the Kanungu district, is one of the best places for trekking gorillas. This sector is known for its biodiversity and accessibility. When tourists want to go on a gorilla safari to Uganda, the first sector they ask about is the Buhoma sector. This sector has three habituated gorilla families, which are Mubare, Rushegura, and Habinyanja. Each one of these families has something to say. The largest and oldest of these clans, formed in 1992, is the Mubare family. This family attracts a large number of tourists since everyone wants to see these gentle creatures. However, since the number of permits to go on a gorilla trekking experience is limited and issued on a first-come, first-served basis, it can be a challenge for tourists to acquire these permits.
Besides the exciting adventure of a gorilla trekking safari in the Buhoma sector, other activities can be done to enrich the tourism experience in Uganda. For instance, there are community walks that allow visitors to get information about the Batwa pygmies, the indigenous people of Bwindi Forest. The community walk offers an opportunity to learn about their culture and lifestyle. Bird watching is also a popular activity in this sector, given that there are many bird species in Buhoma. There are also opportunities to go for a forest walk, community visit, and even a combination of a gorilla trekking adventure with a game drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector to see tree-climbing lions.
Getting to Buhoma is easy with road access from Kampala through Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo and Rukungiri or via air travel to Kihihi Airstrip. The sector is also near other attractions such as the Ishasha game reserve and the Batwa Trail for a complete Uganda safari experience. Buhoma, with its green surroundings, plentiful animals and friendly villagers, remains one of the best places for gorilla safaris and ecotourism. Bwindi visitors can expect a unique outdoor adventure and cultural experience in the breathtaking and remote Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda.
Rushaga Sector
The Rushaga sector, located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is a major destination for gorilla safaris in Uganda. The area’s proximity to Mgahinga National Park and its accessibility from Rwanda make it a prime spot for tourists interested in gorilla trekking activities. The Rushaga sector has five established gorilla families that tourists can interact with when on a guided tour.
The five habituated gorilla families found in Rushaga include the Busingye, Mishaya, Bweza, Nshongi, and Kahungye families. These families are habituated to human interaction, which allows tourists to learn a lot from them. Rushaga is a special part of Bwindi National Park since it is the only part where habituation activities are carried out. Currently, two families of gorillas, known as Bushaho and Bikingi, are undergoing habituation, which gives tourists an opportunity to be part of the process when habituating wild gorillas for tourism purposes.
Ruhija Sector
The Ruhija sector is located in the northern part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The sector is known for its excellent gorilla safaris. The region provides a range of tourism opportunities for gorilla trekking enthusiasts. The sector has four habituated gorilla families. Therefore, it offers a perfect destination for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. The habituated gorilla families include the Bitukura gorilla family, which has 13 members and four silverbacks; the Orugozo gorilla family, which has 23 members and one silverback; the Mukiza gorilla family, which has 10 members and one silverback; and the Kyaguriro gorilla family, which has 15 members and two silverbacks. Visitors to the area are presented with a rare opportunity to visit these endangered species in their habitat. Therefore, the area offers a perfect destination for a gorilla safari.
Nkuringo Sector
The Nkuringo sector is one of the four major gorilla trekking sectors found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Other sectors include Buhoma, Rushaga, and Ruhija. Nkuringo is found in the southern part of the park and is known to be the habitat of the famous Nkuringo gorilla family, which is a key factor that attracts Uganda gorilla safaris.
The Nkuringo gorilla family is led by Rafiki and is one of the fascinating gorilla families found in Bwindi. Each member of this family has a unique behaviour that is of interest to tourists who want to participate in gorilla trekking. In total, the family has 19 members, with some joining from the Bushaho gorilla family, which crossed from the Rushaga sector.
This gorilla family was one of the earliest to be habituated for tourism in 1997, thus becoming one of the pioneers in Ugandan gorilla tours. Interestingly, the Nkuringo gorillas were the first in Bwindi to give birth to gorilla twins in December 2004, an important milestone in the conservation history of Bwindi Forest.
The Nkuringo gorilla family is recognised for its habit of venturing outside the park, sometimes displacing local communities in the Nkuringo sector. In the early 2000s, the gorillas in this family were infected with scabies, but they were successfully treated, an indication of the medical monitoring in gorilla tourism. More so, the Nkuringo sector is located at a high altitude, and as such, it is more challenging, making gorilla trekking in the sector more demanding. The sector is best suited for physically active tourists who enjoy trekking in hilly and dense forests.
Cost of Gorilla Safari in Bwindi Forest
The gorilla permit is set at a fee of $800 for non-foreign residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX300,000 for people in East Africa. There is an availability of porters who are available for support while you trek at a cost. Remember the permit also includes gorilla tracking for one hour, the entrance fee, the ranger fee and advanced trackers.
Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The accommodation available in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park varies in different sectors, thus offering different accommodation options that range from luxury, mid-range, and budget accommodations as well as camping sites. The visitor can choose an accommodation in the sector where they purchase their gorilla permit, thus making it convenient for Uganda gorilla safaris. Some of the prominent lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Mist Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge.
