Uganda Gorilla Sectors

A hub for Uganda Gorilla Safaris is Bwindi national park. There are four Uganda gorilla sectors where Mountain Gorilla Trekking happens. Gorilla trekking is an activity everyone coming into Uganda is recommended to engage in. This is because one may never have any other similar opportunity to view mountain gorillas given their rarity. Mountain gorillas are rare primates and Uganda is among the only three countries that host these endangered primates globally. Uganda’s Mgahinga gorilla national park is a member of the Virunga conservation area and together with Bwindi national park boasts over half the global registered number of endangered mountain gorillas.

As their name suggests, mountain gorillas live in rugged mountainous regions that are covered by dense forest cover. In Uganda, this sort of area is situated in South Western region. This area of the country is comprised of the extension of Virunga volcanoes, including the Mount. Muhabura, Mount. Sabyinyo and Gahinga Mountain. These three mountains have their slopes covered with thick and dense rainforest lands given their location in the tropics.

The Virunga Region

The Virunga region is a sophisticated ecosystem with hundreds of flora species, both wood and low-lying plants, and fauna. The mountain gorillas therefore don’t fall short of having the required environment to thrive.

The highest population of mountain gorillas of Uganda is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This Park is known for its dense rainforest in which the mountain gorillas coexist with other amazing fauna. The alternative area where to find mountain gorillas is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It’s an alternative mountain gorilla hub but has fewer numbers of mountain gorillas compared to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

There are mainly two tourist activities around the mountain gorillas, and these include; mountain gorilla trekking and mountain gorilla habituation. The two activities differ greatly by the closeness the visitor spends with mountain gorillas, and the duration spent while interacting with the mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorillas live in families in both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga national park. Mountain gorilla families are later classified within distinct sectors. These are mainly 4 sectors (Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector, Ruhija sector, and Buhoma sector). Each sector has its uniqueness, history and beauty as explained below.

Buhoma sector.

This is the pioneer and most famous gorilla sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because of this, it boasts attracting highest number of tourists within the park. The sector can be accessed from Kanungu district or Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park. It can also be accessed via Kihiihi airstrip, and this positions it as the most strategically placed sector in Bwindi Forest.

It’s the first sector where mountain gorilla tourism began in this park and Uganda at large. This followed the successful habituation of Mubare Gorilla Family in 1992. Being close to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the routes to Buhoma through Queen Elizabeth National Park crosses the Ishasha sector well-known for its tree climbing lions. This therefore gives an opportunity to visitors moving to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to view the elusive tree climbing lions.

Notable gorilla families in Buhoma sector include Mubare, Rushegura, Muyambi, Katwe and Habinyanja.

As earlier noted, Buhoma sector is one of the oldest sectors in Bwindi Forest, and is home to some of the high-end / luxurious lodges for tourists that intend to sleep and refresh after a long trek. The sector’s lodge superb services are one of the main reasons why visitors choose Buhoma as their preferred gorilla trekking region. Its hiking trails also have access to cultural expeditions by the Batwa and Bakiga people.

Buhoma is also an excellent spot for bird watching, through the beautiful trails like Waterfall trail, Muzabairoloop trail, Rushura trail and the River Ivy trail.

Rushaga sector.

Rushaga is situated in the Southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kisoro district. It has a composition of 8 mountain gorilla families, making it the best area for mountain gorilla trekkers. It’s equally the only sector where mountain gorilla habituation takes place. Rushaga is home to famous gorilla families such as Nshongi, Bweza, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Bikingi, Rwigi and Mucunguzi. Kutu gorilla family is still undergoing habituation.

Rushaga sector also offers rewarding cultural encounters to the Batwa community. The Rushaga sector provides safe haven for numerous bird species to survive, which creates a good environment for birdwatching tours.

Nature walks can also be taken in this sector. Rushaga sector has incredible accommodation facilities such as Rushaga Gorilla Havens lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, among others. These lodges differ in prices, and range from budget, midrange to luxurious.

Rushaga sector has a good road access network whether from Kisoro or Kabale. Along the way, you see incredible views of Lake Mutanda and Lake Bunyonyi. These lakes are well-known for their calm waters which favor boat cruises to explore over 20 historical islands.

Ruhija sector.

Ruhija sector is found in South Eastern part of Bwindi national Park. Ruhija sector is mainly known for its 4 gorilla families i.e., Oruzogo Gorilla Family, Kyaguriro Gorilla Family, Mukiza family and Bitukura Gorilla Family.

Just like Nkuringo sector, Ruhija sector is situated in a higher altitude area of 2,350 meters above sea level. This sector is the coldest in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It therefore provides an opportunity for hiking.

As a major characteristic, its hiking trail leads to Rwamunyonyi peak. It’s therefore recommended for trekkers not to miss engaging in hiking this sector. Apart from mountain gorillas, Ruhija sector has admirable presence of monkey species such as colobus and vervet monkeys. There are also a few forest elephants that can be seen feeding on the green vegetation in the sector.

Nkuringo sector.

Nkuringo sector attains its name from the historical Nkuringo Gorilla Family. However, the sector now is home to 4 habituated families including Bushaho Gorilla Family, Christmas gorilla family, Posho and Nkuringo families.

Nkuringo sector is popular due to its terrain that is fairly rugged. The altitude is higher compared to other sectors in Bwindi Forest and therefore invites hiking expeditions.

Consequentially, hikers are recommended to be fairly physically fit before taking on Nkuringo sector. Because of its altitude, hiking Nkuringo sector is greatly recommended for young athletic trekkers –ones capable of handling long distance treks.

Batwa Cultural encounters are also available for visitors in this sector. Nkuringo sector, just like Rushaga sector, has numerous accommodation facilities available for its visitors, but popularly the Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and Bwindi Backpackers Lodge.

Best Area for Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi

What is the best area / sector / region for gorilla trekking In Bwindi? Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has been labeled as the primate capital of the world endowed with over 13 primates among which include more than half of the remaining gorilla population of endangered mountain gorillas. The national park is home to 120 mammal species, 230 species of butterflies, 340 species of birds, geckos, chameleons, 30 species of frogs, over 1000 species of plants these include 170 species of trees,105 species of ferns and so much more.

Mountain gorillas are human close relatives sharing more than 98% human DNA, trekking mountain gorillas is the most expensive tourism activity in Africa but a few who have encountered have testified to an unforgettable life experience with these giant apes.

The best area for trekking gorillas in Bwindi

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is divided into four sectors of Rushaga sector, the Ruhija sector, Buhoma sector, and Nkuringo sector. Determining the best sector for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is not easy because all these sectors have advantages and disadvantages and the opportunity of trekking in a certain area will depend on the availability of gorilla trekking permits.

Rushaga sector

Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has been labeled by many travelers as the best area to trek mountain gorillas from while in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, this sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park offers the best attractive views of the park. Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of the park and has been called the best sector for gorilla trekking because this is where tourists can take part in the gorilla habituation process.

Gorilla habituation involves tourists joining a group of researchers, conservationists, scientists, and rangers in the process of making mountain gorillas get used to human presence, this gives you a chance of spending a maximum of four hours with a mountain gorilla family hence Rushaga sector is the best area for gorilla trekking as you can either do gorilla habituation or gorilla trekking.

The Rushanga Sector

Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is also the best area for trekking mountain gorillas because it has the largest number of habituated gorilla groups compared to other areas in the park hence the gorilla trekking permits in the Rushaga sector are not always scarce compared to Buhoma sector as there are many permits available in a day.

Rushaga sector is said to be the best region for gorilla trekking in Bwindi due to its easy accessibility, Rushaga sector can be easily accessed from Kigali international airport Rwanda within 4-5 hours drive and the permits here are also cheaper compared to volcanoes national park in Rwanda. From Entebbe international airport you can also access the Rushaga sector of Bwindi by flying to Kisoro airstrip. Though traveling from Entebbe to Rushaga by road can be hectic the panoramic views on the way are simply priceless.

In conclusion, all the areas of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park offer different but unique experiences and gorilla trekking can be done in any sector. The choice of where to trek from depends on gorilla permits availability and the tourist’s choice

Price of the permits

Gorilla permits in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park cost $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 foreign residents, and shs250,000 East African citizens and this applies to all sectors. Gorilla habituation permits cost $1500. Persons under the age of 15 are not allowed and also people with infectious diseases such as flu, cough, and diarrhea will not be allowed to trek.

Best time to trek mountain gorillas

Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be visited at any time of the year but the best time to visit this area is during the dry season which occurs from June to September and December to January. It’s during these months that the roads are accessible and the trails are dry.

What to pack for gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in Rushaga requires physical fitness and you need to come along with enough drinking water, energy-giving snacks, good quality camera, insect repellents, good waterproof hiking shoes, pair of gaiters, sunscreen, face mask, sanitizer, a hat, garden gloves, long-sleeved clothes, hiking pants and much more