Bwindi Impenetrable National park is situated in the South-western side of Uganda and spans at an area of 337 square kilometers and is a home to over 400 mountain gorillas (about half of the world’s population of these Giant Apes). Bwindi Impenetrable National park is exceptional in a way that it is the only place in the whole world where tourists can visit to enjoy the Gorilla Habituation Experience-where tourists are allowed to spend up to four hours with the mountain gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park comprises of four different sectors that include Buhooma sector the home to Mubare family, Habinyanja and Rushegura gorilla group, Ruhija sector the home to Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro research group, Nkuringo the home to the Nkuringo gorilla group and Rushaga in the Southern side with the highest number of mountain gorilla groups-Mishaya, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye and Nshongi groups.
Visitors on gorilla trekking expeditions begin their search for mountain gorillas in anyone of the 4 major regions; Ruhija in the eastern side, Nkuringo and Rushaga in the southern side and Buhoma in the north. It is from these 4 gorilla trekking regions that the 20 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi National Park are all distributed. Each habituated gorilla group rewards travelers on Uganda gorilla safari tour with unique experiences and about 160 gorilla permits are always available for booking. And because of high demand, we advise you to reserve your permit in advance before the actual trek.
Uganda is one of the best destinations to watch the mountain gorillas. When booking a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, many travelers are puzzled with which particular gorilla group to book for their hiking expedition. There are several habituated gorilla groups in Uganda that are open for gorilla trekking and these have continuously attracted many tourists who look for this amazing experience! These groups are found in different areas within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Buhoma Area
Buhoma sector, located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is one of the four most fantastic gorilla trekking sectors that you should not miss when on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. When it comes to mountain gorilla activities, Buhoma sector is most well-known as the oldest trailhead in Uganda. Buhoma gorilla sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park is a pioneer of gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Forest and Uganda; with the Mubare gorilla family as the first gorilla group to be habituated in the park in 1993.
There are several groups available for tracking. These include; the Mubare group, Habinyanja and Rushaga family, Rushegura, Katwe, and Binyido gorilla families are known gorilla families Buhoma sector and among the most trekked gorilla families during Uganda gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.. All these groups are found in the Buhoma Area (also referred to as main Bwindi) of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Mubare group was the very first group to actually be habituated for gorilla tracking in Uganda and this was in 1993. It was named after the stunning Mubare hills in which this group was discovered.
The Habinyanja group was later habituated in 1997 for gorilla tracking and first received tourists in the year of 1999. at first the Habinyanja group was a huge group with many individuals. However the family split from and it was named Rushaga group. These two groups crisscross each other now and again and also co- exists peacefully. The Rushegura group was also habituated in 2000 for tracking and also received tourists in 2002 and it’s considered to be the huge group in Buhoma Area of Bwindi impenetrable National park.
Buhoma sector is easily accessible by visitors traveling from Kampala and Entebbe with drives to the park taking approximately 8-9 hours as compared to other sectors like Rushaga which is about a 10 hour’s drive.
In case you are not interested in driving to Buhoma sector, you can fly from Kajjansi or Entebbe International Airport to Buhoma hence cutting down on the long drive. Bar Aviation and Aerolink both offer scheduled and chartered flights to Kihihi Airstrip in Bwindi national park, taking about 1-2 hours depending on the flight routing. From Kihihi Airstrip, you can drive to your lodge in Buhoma sector.
Buhoma sector can also be accessed by visitors travelling from Kigali city in Rwanda via the Katuna border. A 3 days gorilla safari to Bwindi from Kigali is possible if you are looking for a cheaper gorilla safari option.
Buhoma sector offers a variety of lodging options as compared to other gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park. Accommodation options in Buhoma sector include Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Bwindi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Engagi Lodge and Silverback Lodge and others
Ruhija Area
Ruhija Gorilla Sector is situated in the eastern part of Bwindi Forest national park. It is the closet sector to Buhoma and has four gorilla families available for trekking during your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguliro, and Mukiza gorilla families.
Ruhija sector is the best option if you are looking to visit Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trek as it close to Kabale. Ruhija sector is the quietest of the four gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, providing you with the most private gorilla trekking experience.
Given its close proximity to Buhoma sector, it is possible for visitors to sleep in Buhoma and do gorilla trekking in Ruhija sector. Ruhija, located slightly over 2,500 meters, offers unparalleled vistas of forest crest after forest ridge, all the way to the Virunga mountains.
Ruhija sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park is also the park’s sole region where elephants may be found. Monkeys and antelopes are among the other animals.
Ruhija sector is one of the best gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park if you are looking for a challenge during your gorilla trekking experience since this sector is situated on a high altitude.
The Ruhija region of Bwindi Impenetrable National park has also got different groups and these include; Bitakura group which is among the newest groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National park, this group is found and roams the verdant forest within the Ruhija area. The Rushaga region of Bwindi forest also habitant of Nshongi group as well as the Mishaya Gorilla family. The Mishaya group split from the biggest gorilla group in Bwindi forest the Nshogi gorilla family which still leaves in Rushaga region in southern forest.A gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National park will expose you to all these groups of the Rushaga Region.
Ruhija sector can be easily accessed from Kampala taking approximately 9 hours of driving. This sector can be accessed from Kampala or Entebbe through Kabale town and then connect to Ruhija. Another route to use passes via Ntungamo to Rukungiri, Kihihi and Butogota before driving for another two hours to reach Ruhija.
Ruhija sector can be accessed by air with flights from Kampala or Entebbe to Kihihi Airstrip. Bar Aviation and Aerolink both offer domestic flights to Ruhija park taking between 1-2 hours depending on the flight routing.
Ruhija sector has limited lodges making accommodation options limited to a few. Lodging options in Ruhija sector include Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Broadbill Forest camp, and Gorilla Mist Camp.
Rushaga Area
Rushaga Gorilla Sector is situated in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is located in Kisoro District neighboring Nkuringo sector. Rushaga sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park has a total of 8 gorilla families namely; Shongi, Bweza, Kahungye, Bikingi, Busingye, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, and Kutu. This sector is popular for research and is the only sector in Bwindi national park that offers visitors gorilla habituation experience as an activity.
Rushaga sector is the best option for visitors looking to do both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience. Rushaga sector has the highest number of habituated gorilla families as compared to other gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Rushaga sector can easily be accessed from Kigali city in Rwanda via the Cyanika border in Kisoro. Drives from Kigali to Rushaga take approximately 4-5 hours. Domestic Flights to Rushaga sector are available if you are booking with either Bar Aviation or Aerolink Uganda. Flights from Kampala or Entebbe to Rushaga land at Kisoro Airstrip and then you will have to drive about 1-2 hours to your lodge in Rushaga sector.
Rushaga sector in Bwindi national park is also a good place if you are looking to do other activities such as birding, community tours, and guided nature walks. Visitors travelling to Rushaga sector can also make a stopover visit to Lake Mutanda in Kisoro and enjoy a boat ride on the lake.
Within the Rushaga Area, the Nshogi group is currently the biggest habituated gorilla family in Uganda, it has got 25 members, some of the group members left to form another group which is called Mishaya group, and this family has greatly attracted many people to come for gorilla safaris to Uganda.
In terms of accommodation, Rushaga sector comes in second place after Buhoma sector. Accommodation options in Rushaga sector include; Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge and others.
Nkuringo Area
Nkuringo sector, located appropriately in the southern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is incredibly one of the four primary gorilla trekking sectors in the park. Nkuringo gorilla sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park is surprisingly one of the least popular areas that provide incredible gorilla trekking experiences to travelers on gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. The first ever gorilla family to be habituated in this sector is called Nkuringo gorilla group. Nkuringo sector has two other habituated gorilla families which include; Bushaho and Christmas Gorilla families. Nkuringo sector is popular for its views of Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira which are situated in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nkuringo sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park is the best option for visitors looking to have a stopover visit at Lake Mutanda or Lake Mulehe in Kisoro. Visitors can always enjoy a boat ride on Lake Mutanda or Lake Mulehe before or after a gorilla trek in Nkuringo sector.
This sector of Bwindi national park is recommended for visitors who love long hikes given that the terrains in Nkuringo sector are not as steep as those in other sectors of Bwindi impenetrable national park.
The Nkuringo gorilla group is among the most physically challenging although rewarding region in the forest. The region has also got an accommodation facility which is called Nkuringo gorilla camp and this group comprise of 19 members and its favorite to people who have tracked over one group.
Nkuringo sector is also a great sector for visitors looking to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park from Kigali city in Rwanda. This is because the sector can easily be accessed via the Cyanika border in Kisoro district taking approximately 5 hours. Visitors can also combine gorilla trekking in Nkuringo sector with other activities such as community tours, guided nature walks and bird watching tours.
There are also domestic flights from Kampala or Entebbe to Kisoro Airstrip and then drive for about 2 hours to Nkuringo. Bar Aviation and Aerolink Uganda both operate domestic flights from Kampala/Entebbe to Kisoro, taking approximately 1-2 hours depending on the flight routing.
Nkuringo sector also accommodation options for visitors looking to spend an overnight Bwindi. Accommodation options in Nkuringo sector include; Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Campsite, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla heights lodge and others.
The best time for gorilla tracking in Uganda
The best months to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda are from June to September and December to February. The weather is however unpredictable, so you should expect a bit of rain here and there from time to time.
In conclusion
Choosing the best sector for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park is totally dependent on your level of physical fitness as well as interest. For those looking for a more challenging gorilla trekking experience, then Nkuringo and Ruhija are the best sector for gorilla trekking.
However, for those interested in a less strenuous gorilla trekking experience, then Buhoma and Rushaga sectors are the best options for you. In addition to this, Rushaga sector offers the best opportunity for visitors looking to do gorilla habituation and gorilla trekking from Kigali city in Rwanda.
This is the best collection of things to do, things to see, things to do, best places where to stay, and more. Lets explore Bwindi Forest National Park together! We bring to you the best tours and journey ideas as well as travel information to help you plan a perfect trip into the impenetrable forests of Bwindi.