Which sector is the best for Gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
Are you planning a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda? One of your most important decisions is determining which sector is best for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This guide will help you explore your options and select the ideal sector for your gorilla safari experience in Bwindi.
Selecting the ideal gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi can be daunting, particularly if you’re planning your first gorilla tour. Whether it’s your inaugural or second time visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you need not stress about finding the best area for gorilla tracking. In this guide, we reveal the top sectors for gorilla trekking in Bwindi to help you plan your exciting adventure.
Are you prepared to begin an adventure that will leave lasting memories? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the premier destination for an exhilarating gorilla trekking experience. With its beautiful, mist-covered montane forests and valleys, Bwindi is home to over half of the world’s remaining 1063 mountain gorillas. This significant population of these majestic animals makes Bwindi an ideal location to observe them closely in their natural surroundings.
You might be curious about the best sector when preparing for your gorilla trek. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park features four gorilla trekking sectors: Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. Each industry offers prime adventure enthusiasts exciting trekking experiences.
Tips for selecting the best gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi
The four sectors that make up Bwindi include Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. To decide on the best region or sector to trek gorillas may depend on several factors, such as visitor fitness levels, the kind of adventure experience you desire, time, and more. This article provides a detailed guide on each sector to help determine the best one for your gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi. You may need to visit all of them to decide which sector is best for gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
Buhoma Sector
If you’re looking for an easily accessible spot for gorilla trekking in Bwindi, you should consider Buhoma! Nestled in the northern region, Buhoma is proud to be home to Uganda’s oldest gorilla group, which is available for trekking. Mubare, the first habituated gorilla group, welcomed tourists back in 1993. Excitingly, the Buhoma sector has also grown to include more habituated families, such as Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Katwe!
In addition to the rich history of the Mubare group, Buhoma stands out as a fantastic spot for trekking mountain gorillas. It’s the most accessible sector in Bwindi, making it easy for visitors to reach Buhoma with just an 8-9-hour drive from Kampala or Entebbe, or a quicker 4-5-hour journey from Kigali.
Why is Buhoma the best sector in Bwindi?
Visitors can book a flight and arrive at Kihihi Airstrip in only 1-2 hours, providing easy access to the Buhoma region.
Its prime location near the northern part of Bwindi enables visitors to easily combine gorilla trekking with game viewing tours in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park or any designated game track. In Ishasha, guests can enjoy the park’s beautiful savanna landscape and experience remarkable encounters with tree-climbing lions and other mammals and birds.
The Buhoma sector consistently impresses, even if you want to include guided nature walks or birdwatching. It offers hiking trails that delight nature enthusiasts on guided walks and birding tours. Notable trails include Rushura Hill, Munyanga River, River Ivy, Muzabajiro Lop, and more.
If you find yourself in the stunning Lake Bunyonyi, you can easily connect to the Buhoma sector! With Buhoma and Lake Bunyonyi being so close, you can enjoy thrilling recreational activities on the beautiful lake while having unforgettable gorilla encounters in the Buhoma sector.
Accommodation: Some lovely options exist for spending the night in nearby safari lodges and camps. You might enjoy staying at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Engagi Lodge, Mahogany Springs, or even Buhoma Community Rest Camp!
Buhoma stands out among gorilla trekking areas as the most requested by visitors. If you want to see gorillas here, you should secure a permit well in advance—typically around six months to a year beforehand. This emphasizes the need for early planning and reservations to ensure your place on a Buhoma gorilla trekking expedition.
Ruhija sector
The Ruhija gorilla sector is a treasure trove of biodiversity and showcases stunning geographical beauty. In the Ruhija region, Rwamunyonyi Peak stands tall at 2607 meters, making it the highest peak in Bwindi. It’s also the coolest part of Bwindi and boasts a lovely, extensive swamp. Keep an eye out, as elephants often roam the Ruhija area! What makes Ruhija truly special is its opportunity for a more private and serene gorilla trekking adventure. If you’re searching for a peaceful encounter with the gorillas amidst the splendor of Bwindi’s nature, Ruhija is just the spot for you!
Additionally, Ruhija is renowned for its delightful birding tours. The Mubwindi swamp trail, located in this sector, is particularly popular for those birding excursions. However, it’s worth noting that Ruhija does have fewer accommodation options available. For a cozy overnight stay, consider reserving a spot at one of the top safari lodges: Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, or Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge.
The Nkuringo sector
The Nkuringo sector is renowned for its stunning and dramatic landscapes. Situated at a higher altitude in the southern part of Bwindi, Nkuringo offers exceptional views of the misty Virunga Mountain ranges and the surrounding rolling hills. Its rugged terrain makes it a favorite spot for photographers.
The available gorilla families in Nkuringo include Christmas, Nkuringo, Posho, and Bushaho. This sector is ideal for those seeking challenging treks or long hikes. Nkuringo can be accessed via the Chanika border crossing to Kisoro, allowing easy connections from Kigali.
While exploring the Nkuringo gorillas, consider visiting the picturesque lakes, particularly Lake Mulehe and Lake Mutanda, which are perfect for boat rides.
Nkuringo offers fewer accommodation options than Buhoma and Rushaga. The top options are Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Campsite, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and Albertine Gorilla Campsite.
Rushaga Sector
The Rushaga sector is a wonderful part of southern Bwindi, nestled near Kisoro and Nkuringo. It boasts the highest number of habituated gorilla groups in all of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These amazing groups include the Bikingi gorilla, Bweza, Kutu, Nshongi gorilla, Mucunguzi, Kahungye, Busingye, and Mishaya.
With so many habituated gorilla groups, plenty of gorilla permits are available for trekkers, creating fantastic opportunities for visitors to embark on their dream gorilla trekking adventures.
Rushaga is within easy reach of both Kampala and Kigali, although driving from Kampala can take about 10 to 11 hours. Regarding accommodation, Rushaga truly shines with a wide array of options! You can choose from delightful places like Rushaga Haven Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Bweza Lodge, and Chameleon Hill Lodge.
In summary, each gorilla trekking sector has unique pros and cons when exploring Bwindi. Visiting two or more sectors can give you a deeper understanding of which region best suits your gorilla trekking dreams in Bwindi National Park.
