Gorilla Trekking in Ruhija from Kigali
Can I go to track gorillas in Ruhija from Kigali? Gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector from Kigali is possible. Embarking on gorilla trekking in Ruhija from Kigali involves border crossing from either Chanika or Katuna border to the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Ruhija gorilla trekking tour from Kigali offers a perfect shorter alternative route to reaching to Bwindi National Park to explore mountain gorillas in the wild unlike setting off from Kampala or Entebbe.
Border crossing from Katuna and Chanika to Uganda means spending a maximum of 4-5 hours driving from Kigali. Crossing from Katuna border ushers you to Kabale town and Chanika border links you up to Kisoro town. The unique bit of crossing from Kigali to Ruhija sector to track mountain gorillas is that visitors get a chance to appreciate the breathtaking landscapes of Rwanda and Uganda.
Trekking Ruhija Gorillas
Once you have crossed to Ruhija, the actual gorilla trekking involves exploring the fully habituated gorilla families in the Eastern sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The fully habituated gorilla families in the Ruhija sector include among others Mukiza group, Bitukura gorilla family, Oruzogo, and Kyaguriro family. During the actual Ruhija gorilla trekking session, you get to explore one of the gorilla families assigned for you to visit in a group comprising of 8 (eight) guests.
Gorilla treks in the Ruhija sector start early with briefing and allocation of gorilla groups. After the allocation of gorilla families, expect to begin your normal trekking around 8:00 am. The entire adventure may run for 2 and 7 hours. The long trekking adventure involve navigating via the lush rainforest in search of mountain gorillas. A maximum of 1 hour is availed for you to observe these apes face-to-face.
The length of the gorilla trek may vary depending on a number of factors including the speed of visitor’s trekking, location of gorillas, and nature of the habitats. Gorillas tend to move long distances mainly to search for what to feed on. The long distances these apes take searching for what to feed on influence how long it can take for you to find them.
How much are the Ruhija gorilla trekking permits
Gorilla permits in the Ruhija sector cost USD 800 per visitor for all foreign nonresidents. USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. Booking Ruhija gorilla permits is safe and easier through the reliable tour operator in Uganda. This is best done through Native Africa Tours. Please, consider securing your gorilla permit early and never wait till the last minute.
When should you visit Ruhija for gorilla trekking?
Ruhija doesn’t have a specific time to be visited. The Ruhija sector is open for gorilla trekking at any time of the year. But visitors who desire gorilla treks free from muddy or slippery steep slopes, then the dry season is the most ideal. Visitors can opt for the long dry season or short dry months. The longest dry months of the year extend from June to September while the shorter dry season happens from December to February. These are the best months of the year when you can explore Ruhija without challenges of muddy or slippery steep slopes.
The wet season is also open for gorilla trekking in Ruhija but this season is known for heavy rains. The heavy rains render the gorilla habitats muddy or slippery making it challenging to enjoy a smooth trek with Ruhija gorillas. The travel calendar indicates the wet months as March, April, May, October, and November.
Things to pack
Valuable things to consider on your packing list for gorilla trekking in Ruhija include a pair of gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirts, insect repellents, energy giving snacks, a rain jacket, hiking boots, bottled drinking water, facemasks, a sweater, a daypack, hand sanitizers, a camera with extra batteries, a rain jacket, and first aid kit.
How to prepare for the Ruhija gorilla trekking adventure
Early preparation is required for you to have a successful gorilla trekking adventure in the Ruhija sector. First, you must keep yourself fit and to achieve this, you should consider doing exercise taking advantage of the high elevation.
Book your gorilla trekking adventure in advance. Do not wait till the last minute to secure a gorilla trekking slot. The gorilla permits are limited and each is obtainable by persons above 15 years and gorilla families are only open for trekking by a maximum of 8 (eight) guests. Do not be left out of the magical gorilla trekking expedition.
Ensure you pack the right things for your gorilla safari to explore Ruhija sector. If you aren’t certain about things to pack, then feel free to contact our experts to further guide you.
Know your fitness level and opt for gorilla families that are easier to track. Different gorilla families require different fitness levels to find them. When planning your gorilla tour, share with your tour experts more about your physical fitness. By so doing, we can be in position to plan appropriately your gorilla trekking adventure. This includes requesting the park authorities to consider assigning a gorilla family that is a bit easier to track.
Book a gorilla permit in advance. The reason you must consider planning a gorilla tour early is to help you secure a slot before you travel for actual visit to see gorillas.
Other activities to do
In addition to gorilla trekking, there is a chance to enjoy other experiences in Ruhija. They include;
Birding
Bird watching is one of the astonishing experiences awaiting you in the Ruhija sector. Ruhija is most popular for its enriching birding trail –Mubwindi. While in Ruhija, birds to expect to spot include barred long-tailed cuckoos, cinnamon bee-eaters. Klaas’s cuckoos, purple breasted sunbirds, Carruthers’s cisticola, Great blue turacos. MacKinnon’s shrikes, dwarf honey guide, dusky twin spot, red-faced woodland warblers. African wood-owl, Archers robin chat, dusky turtle dove. Blue headed sunbird, black crakes, western green tinker bird, strange weaver birds, and grey throated barbet.
Other bird species to explore on Ruhija sector birding tour include palm nut vultures, snowy-crowned robin chat, Kivu ground thrush. African pygmy kingfishers, Ross’s turacos, common buzzards, Doherty’s bush shrikes. Little sparrow hawks, white throated greenbul, Rwenzori batis, and strip-breasted tit.
Cultural experiences
Cultural excursions offer a remarkable alternative for you to spice up your gorilla trekking adventure. In addition to gorilla trekking, visitors can also pay a visit to the nearby local communities including the Batwa and Bakiga. The Batwa cultural experience takes you on a deep exploration about the unique cultures and traditions of the Batwa pygmies.
Hiking
Ruhija is known for its enriching hiking excursions through the existing trails. The best hiking trails worth exploring in the Ruhija sector include the Mubwindi swamp, bamboo trail, and others. A hike via these trails allows you encounter birds, flora, fauna, and also enjoy breathtaking landscapes in the surrounding areas depending on the terrain/altitude of the area.
Where to stay
Best places to consider for overnight stay in and around the Ruhija sector include Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Agandi Uganda Eco Lodge. Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Cuckooland Tented Lodge. Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and more.
