Out of the four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Buhoma Sector offers the best benefits and is the most popular destination for gorilla trekking in Uganda. It is situated in the park’s northern section.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which is in the southwest of Uganda and is widely regarded as the greatest location for gorilla trekking on gorilla trekking safaris, is the most visited destination in Africa due to the fact that it is home to half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas. One of the four areas in the park that is home to habituated gorilla families is the Buhoma sector.Nkuringo, Rushanga, and Ruhija are other sectors.
Gorilla trekking is a popular activity that begins early in the morning following a briefing. After that, park rangers will take you into the dense tropical forests to look for habituated gorilla families. While trekking, you may also see other species, such as monkeys, birds, plants, and green vegetables. You are allowed to spend an hour in the natural environment of a gorilla family once you have located them. There are four habituated gorilla groups in the Buhoma sector where gorilla trekking is possible:
Mubare family of gorillas
In 1991, this habituated gorilla family was the first to be visited in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and two years later, it was formally opened. Trekkers were the first to see the Mubare Gorilla Group, which was named after the Mubare Hills. The family had just 12 members at the time of habituation, including Ruhondeza, a powerful silverback who passed away in 2013 after being threatened with a black back.There are now nine people in the group.
Family of Habinyanja Gorillas
It was a forest that hikers saw, and the Habinyanja gorilla family earned its name from the Rukiga term Nyanja, which means a water pond. In 1997, this group became habituated, and in 1999, it was formally opened to tourists.Following habituation, the gorilla group consisted of 30 individuals, including Mugurusi, the dominant silverback.
Following Mugurusi’s passing, it experienced leadership threats under the leadership of the brothers Rwansigazi and Mwirima. However, they later split up, and Mwirima started Rushegura, his own gorilla family. Rwansigazi joined the Habinyanja family and currently has two silverbacks and eighteen members.
Family of Rushegura Gorillas
Under Mwirima’s leadership, this gorilla family split off from the Habinyanja gorilla family in 2002, leaving behind eight members. Since Mwirima’s death in 2014, Kabukojo Silverback has been leading the Rushegura gorilla troop, which consists of 16 individuals.
The Katwe Gorilla Family
In the Buhoma sector, this is one of the most recent habituated gorilla families for gorilla trekking. The seven members of the Katwe gorilla family include one silverback, four adult females, and two infants.
Eight people participate in gorilla trekking, after which they are assigned to a gorilla troop to hike with. Note: Visitors who are not physically fit will be placed in a gorilla family that is closer to the journey since each gorilla group is chosen based on factors including age, health, and physical fitness. Gorilla trekking begins at 8:00 am. A park guide will accompany you on your trek and provide you with accurate information about the mountain gorillas while also directing you to the trekking trails where you can see the gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector can take anywhere from two to six hours of hiking along the forest trail heads. After you find the mountain gorillas, spend an hour with them and enjoy their daily activities, which include feeding, learning, taking pictures, and documenting the moments, among other things.
There are roughly 32 gorilla trekking permits available to tourists each day because the Buhoma district is home to four habituated gorilla populations. Since Buhoma is the best maintained gorilla trekking area in Bwindi, those who are highly interested in trekking the endangered mountain gorillas there should reserve their gorilla trekking permit at least six months prior to the trekking date. Permits sell out fast as a result.
The cost of a Bwindi gorilla trekking permit is USD 800 for non-resident foreigners, USD 700 for locals, and UGX 300,000 for citizens of East Africa. There are two ways to book a gorilla trekking permit in the Buhoma sector: directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through a reputable tour operator with a license; if you don’t mind, you can book with us. Reach international safaris.
There are four habituated gorilla groups in the Buhoma sector, which is very intriguing. In 1993, gorilla trekking was first introduced in the Buhoma sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
The only gorilla trekking location that is open for trekking and is home to the first gorilla group, the “Mubare gorilla family,” is the Buhoma sector. After being habituated in 1991, it was made accessible to tourists two years later.
Compared to other sectors like Rushaga and Nkuringo, where you hike on steep slopes in the middle of the forest, the Buhoma sector has comfortable terrain, making it easier to trek for the gorillas. Additionally, visitors don’t spend a lot of time searching for the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
In addition to being the greatest place for gorilla trekking, the Buhoma sector offers other activities that visitors can partake in while on a gorilla trekking tour.
Tour of the CommunityVisitors have the chance to tour the locals who have lived in Bwindi for centuries, such as the Bakiga and Batwa, with whom you can engage through storytelling, taking in their lovely traditional songs and dances, and learning how to weave, make crafts, and keep bees.
The Forest Walk
This is an exciting activity that gives visitors the chance to go through the park and discover something new while taking in the stunning surroundings, breathing in fresh air, relaxing in the cool atmosphere, and seeing a variety of animals, birds, and plants.
In the Buhoma area, gorilla trekking is possible all year round, but the best time to go is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. Since there is less rain during the dry season, road transportation is feasible and trekking routes are easily accessible, most tourists prefer to travel during this time. Then, during the rainy season, the trails get slick, making it challenging to go gorilla trekking, but the lodging costs are inexpensive.
Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Lake Kitandara Gorilla Forest, Safari Bwindi Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Mahogany Springs Camp, Haven Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Engagi Lodge, Volcanoes Safari Bwindi Lodge, and Bwindi Guest House are just a few of the many upscale, midrange, and affordable lodging options available to tourists looking to spend the night in Buhoma.
Sector of Buhoma
Road or air transportation are the two ways to get to the Buhoma sector.
By means of transportation by road
It takes roughly eight to nine hours to drive from Kampala to the Buhoma sector via Mbarara-Kabale.
You can still drive from the Mweya Peninsula to Buhoma Sector via Ishasha Sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a rewarding location with amazing views of tree-climbing lions. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a diverse array of animals. The travel from Queen Elizabeth National Park takes roughly three to four hours.
Through air transportation
Take a local flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airstrip with Aero Link Uganda, which offers both scheduled and chartered flights every day.
At East Africa Gorilla Safaris, under All In Africa Safaris, we specialize in unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences and diverse wildlife safaris.
Our expertly guided tours provide intimate encounters with gorillas and rich African wildlife, ensuring an unparalleled adventure in the heart of East Africa.
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