Ruhija Sector Bwindi: Gorillas, Birds and Scenic Views.
Ruhija Sector in Bwindi Impenetrable Park: The Ruhija sector is found in the northern part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which is a well-known destination for Ugandan gorilla safaris. The sector has four habituated mountain gorilla families that are a major attraction for tourists visiting this area. The Bitukura gorilla family has a total of 13 members, with four silverbacks. This gives tourists an incredible experience for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
The Oruzogo gorilla family has a total of 23 members, with one dominant silverback. This gives tourists an incredible experience for Ugandan gorilla safaris. The Mukiza gorilla family has a total of 10 members, with one silverback. This gives tourists an incredible experience for Ugandan gorilla safaris. Lastly, the Kyaguriro gorilla family has a total of 15 members, with two silverbacks. This gives tourists an incredible experience for Ugandan gorilla safaris.
Bwindi Forest National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, sharing a border with Congo. Bwindi Forest National Park is one of the two national parks in Uganda where you can trek and see the magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in the world. Bwindi Forest National Park is famous and the best place to trek with the mountain gorillas because it is home to more than half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Bwindi Forest National Park is divided into different sections/sectors where you can have the gorilla tracking experience, and the Ruhija region is among the major sectors of the park.
Tourism Activities to Do in Ruhija Sector, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Ruhija Sector, located in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is a tourism destination that promises to provide tourists with an exciting mix of adventure, wildlife, and cultural experiences. Ruhija is famous for its beautiful scenery, biodiversity, and mountain gorillas. There are many tourism activities that can be enjoyed in the Ruhija Sector, and they are explained in detail below.
Gorilla Trekking in Ruhija
Gorilla trekking in Ruhija is undoubtedly the most popular activity in this sector, making it a must-do in any Uganda safari. The sector is inhabited by a number of habituated mountain gorillas, such as the Bitukura group, the Oruzogo group, and the Kyaguliro group. Gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector starts in the morning with a briefing at the headquarters about the various rules and regulations to be observed during the trekking activity. After the briefing, visitors will then trek in the jungle with an experienced park guide who is conversant with the gorilla trekking trails.
The time spent trekking in the jungle in the Ruhija sector of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park varies from 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the location of the mountain gorillas, since they move from one place to another in search of food. During the trekking activity, trekkers will be able to see other primate species, birds, and other animals, and after spotting the mountain gorillas, visitors will be allowed to spend one hour with them in the natural environment, which will enable visitors to learn more about the behaviour and habits of the mountain gorillas as well as watch them carry out their daily activities and take photos of the moments.
Bird Watching in Ruhija
The Ruhija sector is a birdwatcher’s haven with over 350 species of birds, many of which are endemics and Albertine Rift endemics. There is a wide variety of bird species due to the diversity of habitats found in the sector. Birdwatching spots include the Mubwindi Swamp, which is a swampy area with many bird species, and the forest trails found in the Ruhija area.
While on a birdwatching tour, bird lovers will be able to spot different bird species like the grey-throated barbet, African green broadbill, dwarf honeyguide, red-chested flufftail, African shrike flycatcher, snowy-crowned robin chat, African paradise flycatcher, Kivu ground thrush, purple-breasted sunbird, mountain masked apalis, Archer’s robin chat, Shelley’s greenbul, Ross’s turaco, Rwenzori batis, brown-capped weaver bird, short-tailed warbler, Shelley’s crimson wings, black bee-eater, African pygmy kingfisher, African goshawk, and blue-headed sunbird, among others.
Batwa Cultural Experience
The Batwa, also known as the Pygmies, have lived in Bwindi Forest in Uganda. Over the years, they have been moved out of the forest and into the surrounding areas near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to help in the conservation of mountain gorillas. This has enabled the enhancement of Ugandan gorilla safaris. During the Batwa cultural tour, tourists have an opportunity to get an insight into the cultural practices of the Batwa, including their way of life in the forest, harvesting of wild honey, and hunting.
There is also an opportunity to see the traditional dances performed by the Batwa, as well as listen to their stories about life outside the forest. There is also the possibility to visit the nearby women’s crafting groups, schools and markets and have a glance at the local cultural practices. This rich cultural experience will deepen your understanding of Uganda’s cultural heritage.
Forest walk and nature walk
A forest and nature walk in Ruhija allows visitors to discover and appreciate Uganda’s wide variety of life. Nature walks give tourists the chance to spot some of the more elusive primates in the area, including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, and ring-tailed lemurs. The completely white-tailed black-and-white colobus is also a frequent sighting on the nature walks.
The nature trails are set in a variety of habitats, from bamboo and flower zones to areas inhabited by several species of butterflies, moths, reptiles and trees. The Ruhija ridge-top route offers tourists an opportunity to see the deep valley and enjoy the undisturbed rainforest. During the nature walks, tourists are likely to see duikers, different species of monkeys, and different species of birds, both in the rainforest and in the grasslands. Climbing through the bamboo zones offers tourists an opportunity to see Afromontane vegetation and enjoy the views of Lake Bunyonyi and Mafuga Forest.
Where to Stay in the Ruhija Region of Bwindi
For those interested in Uganda gorilla safaris, the Ruhija region in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has numerous accommodations to cater to the diverse needs of visitors with varying budgets. Therefore, it can be an ideal place to stay when going for Ugandan gorilla safaris.
For those with very low budgets who are interested in camping, there are several places to stay, such as Gorilla Mist Camp, Gift of Nature Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, and Broadbill Tented Forest Camp, which are located in the forest. For those with slightly higher budgets than the above-named camps, Bakiga Lodge can be an ideal place to stay since it has amenities that can allow visitors to participate in gorilla trekking activities.
For those with very high budgets, the Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge can be an ideal place to stay since it has luxurious facilities with beautiful views, which can make the experience of Uganda gorilla safaris an unforgettable experience. In addition, there are those who prefer to stay in the Buhoma region, which is very close to Ruhija, to experience convenience during Uganda gorilla safaris.
How to Get to the Ruhija Region of Bwindi for Uganda Gorilla Safaris
There are several ways of getting to Ruhija, a prime destination for Uganda gorilla safaris. For those flying to Uganda, they can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip, which is the closest to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Alternatively, visitors can take a road trip from Entebbe or Kampala to Ruhija in southwestern Uganda. The journey takes about 9 to 10 hours. For those flying from outside Uganda, they can land at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. From there, they can take a drive to Ruhija via the Cyanika or Katuna border crossing. The journey takes about 4 to 5 hours, depending on how long it takes to cross the border.
