Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma from Entebbe
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma from Entebbe lets you see a gorilla family in the north of Bwindi. Buhoma has Bwindi’s oldest gorilla group, Mubare, and is the most visited area. This guide covers the location, gorilla groups, places to stay, how to get there, what to bring, gorilla permits, and more.
Location of Buhoma trailhead/sector
Buhoma is on the north side of Bwindi National Park, in Kanungu District. It sits between 1160 to 2607 meters above sea level. Visitors usually trek in the lower part of the area.
Buhoma & Gorilla Groups
Buhoma sector holds about 6 habituated gorilla groups, and these are present for gorilla trekking. Top habituated gorilla families include: Binyindo, Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Katwe, and Muyambi gorilla families. The Mubare gorilla family is the oldest family to officially open for trekking in 1993.
Gorilla Experience in Buhoma Trailhead/Sector
Buhoma sector offers the best of gorilla trekking, and visitors can explore any of the 6 groups. A maximum of 8 guests go to track one habituated gorilla family. The normal trek with Buhoma gorillas can take between 2 and 6 hours, which covers an hour of face-to-face encounter. A valid gorilla permit is needed for you to visit Buhoma gorillas, and each permit costs USD 800 (for non-residents), USD 500 (for the Rest of Africa), USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000.
Expect to assemble at the Buhoma trailhead to get briefed on the guidelines for gorilla trekking and the assignment of the gorilla group. This is the initial stage of the gorilla trekking adventure and is a must-attend for all guests. You can be picked up at the lodges to attend the gorilla trekking briefing session.
Extra tour activities to do in Buhoma besides gorilla trekking
Besides gorilla trekking, expect to engage in birding, hiking, cultural tours, and cycling. Guided nature walks/hikes involve exploring the enriching trails, including Munyanga River walking trail, Muzubijiro loop, Rushura hiking trails, Waterfall hiking trails, River Ivy trails, and many others. Each of the walking trails perfectly introduces nature enthusiasts to Bwindi’s abundant wildlife and enriching habitats.
Bird-watching
Buhoma is one of the best sectors to visit, not only for gorilla encounters but also for bird sightings. Overall, 360 species of birds live in Bwindi, and guided Buhoma birding tours offer incredible sightings of birds such as cape wagtails, blue-headed sunbirds, purple-breasted sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, African blue catchers, African green broadbill, African dusky flycatchers, Ross’s turacos, Jameson’s anti-pecker, barred long-tailed cuckoos, and Shelley’s crimsonwing.
Buhoma birding tour can also get you to birds such as handsome francolins, white-throated greenbul, dwarf honeyguide, bar-tailed trogon, Waller’s starlings, Klaas’s cuckoos, and cuckoos.
Cycling excursions –Buhoma
Embarking on a cycling tour in Buhoma allows you to navigate through the adjacent areas along the Buhoma trailhead. Cycling excursions are offered by Ride 4 a Woman, where you can rent a bike. Expect to explore the adjacent communities of Buhoma and also keep an eye on the primates, birds, and the lush forest.
The Batwa experience
This cultural experience should be a must-visit around Buhoma, a great opportunity to learn more about the Batwa pygmies and their cultures. The Batwa pygmies lived in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Buhoma and its gorilla lodges
The various lodges and camps to book on the Buhoma gorilla safari include Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Silverback Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Haven Lodge, Bwindi Forest Farm, Buhoma Community Guesthouse, Mahogany Springs Lodge, and more. The gorilla accommodation options offer mainly budget, midrange, and luxury.
How to get to Buhoma from Entebbe
The Buhoma sector can be reached from Entebbe by road/air. Departing from Entebbe to Buhoma takes about an 8-9-hour drive. The connecting route to the Buhoma region involves driving via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale, and a 4×4 safari car is needed for a safe road trip. From Entebbe, it is possible to organise a flight, and you will connect to Kihihi Airfield in just 2 hours. The last route from Kihihi to Buhoma takes an hour or less.
More about Bwindi
UNESCO recognised Bwindi as a World Heritage Site, and it features 4 sectors, including the Buhoma region. Bwindi National Park was recognised among Ugandan national parks in 1991 and lies on an area of about 331 sq. km. A natural rainforest and other habitats where diverse floral and faunal species thrive largely dominate this park. They include 202 butterfly species, 120 species of mammals, 360 bird species, and 200 tree species.
Wildlife to encounter
Bwindi National Park hosts more than gorillas. The additional wildlife to explore in Bwindi includes 10 other primates, like l’hoest monkeys, colobus monkeys, and baboons. The park also protects the blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, side-striped jackals, giant forest hogs, duikers, and forest elephants. There are incredible reptiles, including chameleons and geckos.
The birds
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park protects birds such as red-throated alethe, African wood owls, handsome francolins, chestnut-throated apalis, yellow-streaked greenbul, Western green tinker birds, black-faced rufous warblers, Shelley’s greenbul, black bee-eaters, montane oriole, tit hylia, strip-breasted tit, dusky twins pot, Doherty’s bush shrikes, purple-headed sunbirds, and collared apalis.
What to pack for Buhoma gorilla trekking safaris
A complete packing list for Buhoma gorilla safari includes a wide-brimmed safari hat, a rain jacket, sunglasses, a pair of gardening gloves, lightweight and waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, pair of socks, a refillable water bottle, a valid gorilla permit, and visas. Other items include a waterproof daypack, a camera, a first-aid kit, insect repellent, a pair of binoculars, snacks, and additional camera batteries.
Suggested Itinerary for gorilla trekking in Buhoma from Entebbe
Choose from our rewarding gorilla packages to explore the Buhoma mountain gorillas. Book our affordable 3 Days Buhoma gorilla trekking safari package, 4 Days tour to Buhoma, 8 Days Uganda wildlife with primate tour, 7 Days Buhoma gorillas and wildlife from Entebbe.
Gorilla regulations to follow in Buhoma
While on the Buhoma gorilla trekking tour, expect to observe the guidelines as per the park authorities. Among the safety measures/regulations to be respected are keeping a distance of 7/8 meters from the Buhoma gorillas. Visitors should ensure they speak quietly without irritating the normal behaviours of gorillas in their environment. Smoking or eating are not acceptable practices when it comes to gorilla trekking. As you take pictures, it is essential not to use a camera with a flashlight. The maximum time you can spend with a group of gorillas is only 1 hour, and this is used for taking pictures and observing how these primates behave in the Buhoma jungle.
Other regulations to note include covering the mouth when coughing and the nose when sneezing. Do not leave the group and always follow your guide. The gorilla habitat must be kept cleaner, and ensure your used containers or bottles are returned to be dumped in the areas designated for rubbish at the park offices.
How to plan a successful gorilla trekking in Buhoma from Entebbe
Contact Native Africa Tours to book your gorilla trekking tour to Buhoma with ease. At Native Africa Tours, we help visitors book lodges and camps, transportation, gorilla permits, and also organise inspirational safaris beyond the Buhoma sector.
