What is the Easiest Gorilla Trekking Region in Bwindi?

What is the Easiest Gorilla Trekking Region in Bwindi?

Which is the easiest gorilla trekking region in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park? Bwindi is entirely comprised of 4 main sectors where gorilla treks begin. They include Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Out of the 4 sectors, Buhoma is considered to be the easiest gorilla trekking region in Bwindi National Park.

Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector

Buhoma sector is a gorilla trekking region found at the northern end of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Buhoma is where the first gorilla group to be opened to gorilla trekking is found. Mubare is the oldest group to open for gorilla tourism in 1993 in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In addition, Buhoma also holds other habituated gorilla families, including the Katwe gorilla group, Habinyanja, and Rushegura gorilla families. During gorilla trekking, visitors embark on a search for these habituated gorilla families, each visited by a maximum of 8 people per day.

What makes the Buhoma sector the easiest gorilla trekking region in Bwindi

Altitude

The Buhoma sector lies in a lower elevation area than any other sector in Bwindi National Park. The lower altitude makes it easier for visitors to explore gorillas without worries of encountering exhaustive treks. Buhoma sector lies at an elevation range of 1160 meters, the lower-altitude zone of Bwindi.

Terrains

The Buhoma sector offers less strenuous treks due to its gentle terrain. Buhoma features varying terrains characterized by hills, forest trails, and river walks. Compared to Nkuringo and Rushaga, Buhoma is an ideal sector for visitors in need of treks that aren’t energy demanding.

Spend less time in the jungle

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma at times takes visitors fewer hours for tourists to have a round-trip trekking adventure. This may not be the case with other sectors with high elevation. The presence of gorilla families near the park offices makes it easier to explore these apes in the shortest time possible.

Gorilla families to explore in the Buhoma sector

Mubare Gorilla Group

During gorilla trekking tours, Mubare should be a must-visit gorilla family. This is the first group to be launched for gorilla tourism in Bwindi and the entire Uganda. After undergoing habituation, the Mubare gorilla group was opened for trekking in 1993. When it was launched, the Mubare gorilla family comprised 12 members, and the group was led by Ruhondeza. The gorilla composition of Mubare reduced as some members left and joined other families or died. These are unavoidable occurrences in the gorilla family structure.

Rushegura Gorilla Group

The Rushegura group split from the Habinyanja group under the leadership of Mwirima, the mature male gorilla (silverback gorilla), who left with 7 individuals. Unfortunately, Mwirima silverback gorilla, passed on after some time, and the family leadership was taken by a blackback.

Muyambi Gorilla Group

This is among the newly launched gorilla groups in Buhoma and was officially opened for trekking in 2019. About 6 members make up the Muyambi group and are led by Muyambi silverback gorilla.

Katwe Gorilla Group

Consisting of about 9 individuals, the Katwe gorilla family is an interesting family group. If you are visiting the Buhoma sector for gorilla trekking, Katwe is the newly established gorilla group to consider for your exploration. This group holds adult females, infants, blackback gorillas, and silverback gorillas.

Where to stay on a gorilla trekking tour in the Buhoma sector

The main gorilla safari lodges to consider for overnight stay in and around Buhoma include Gorilla Sanctuary Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Silverback Lodge, and Ride 4 a Woman.

When to travel to the Buhoma region for gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector can be enjoyed at any time of the year. However, the dry months offer the most favorable conditions for you to explore the Buhoma sector and its wonders. This can happen from the longest dry season, which extends from June to September, then the short dry season begins from December to February. It is around the dry months that the weather conditions are favorable, especially for searching for gorillas in their natural habitat.

Bwindi experiences low rainfall, and the ground remains drier, thus making it possible for you to have a successful gorilla trekking adventure. Unlike the dry season, the wet season often comes with heavy rainfall, and the trails become muddy and slippery. Visitors who prefer adventure free from crowds can utilize this period of time, and you can travel from March to May or October to November.

What else to do in Buhoma

Hiking adventures

The Buhoma sector offers great hiking expeditions through its enriching hiking trails. The Buhoma sector is comprised of rewarding trails such as the Waterfall Trail, Habinyanja Trail, Munyanga River Trail, Kashasha River Trail, and others. During the guided hikes, expect to come across some interesting wildlife and bird species.

Birding

Buhoma is one of the best regions in Bwindi to begin your birding expedition in addition to gorilla trekking. A birding tour in Buhoma allows you to come across amazing birds such as the bar-tailed trogons, Great blue turacos, regal sunbirds, Grauer’s broadbills, Rwenzori Batis, black bee-eaters, handsome francolins, Shelley’s crimson wings, montane oriole, Kivu ground thrush, and more.

Batwa cultural experience

Batwa cultural/community visit is a perfect addition to the enriching gorilla trekking in Buhoma or any sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. During the cultural experience, expect to have a deep insight into the unique lifestyles, traditions, and cultures of the Batwa pygmies.

Essentials to carry for gorilla trekking in Bwindi

A well-planned gorilla trip to Bwindi requires everyone to pack appropriately. Among the key things to include on the packing list are; waterproof and sturdy walking or hiking boots, a pair of binoculars, long-sleeved shirts, a safari hat, a camera, extra batteries, sunglasses, a rain jacket, a tin of insect repellents, sunscreen, gardening gloves, a first aid kit, and many others.

Other gorilla trekking regions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Besides Buhoma, Bwindi National Park also features other regions, including Ruhija sector, Nkuringo, and Rushaga sectors.

Ruhija region is located in the Eastern part of Bwindi and has gorilla groups including Mukiza group, Kyaguriro group, Bitukura gorilla family, and Oruzogo.

Rushaga sector in the Southern part of Bwindi holds interesting gorilla families such as Rwigyi, Mucunguzi, Kutu, Nshongi, Bikingi group, Kahungye group, Busingye gorilla family, and others.

Nkuringo, which also lies in the Southern part of Bwindi, consists of habituated gorilla groups such as the Nkuringo gorilla group, Christmas, Bushaho, and Posho gorilla families.

Getting to Bwindi

By road: Enjoy up to 8-9 hours to Bwindi starting from Kampala. A road trip to Bwindi allows you to appreciate the breathtaking views of the countryside landscapes. Visitors on a gorilla safari can also depart from Kigali city to the Buhoma sector or any region in Bwindi National Park. The easiest way to connect from Kigali to Buhoma is by driving through the Katuna border to Kabale town or crossing through the Chanika border to Kisoro town. From Kisoro town, tourists can easily link up to Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo regions of Bwindi.

By air. Cut long hours short by embarking on the flight from the Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip. Arrive at the Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip early and drive for a short distance to any of the regions of Bwindi National Park.