Gorilla families in Ruhija sector- Bwindi impenetrable national park.: Between Kabale town and Buhoma sector, in the eastern portion of Bwindi impenetrable national park, sits Ruhija sector, one of the four gorilla destinations. Four habituated gorilla groups—the Bitukura, Kyaguriro, Oruzogo, and Mukiza families, also referred to as Kyaguriro B—live in the Ruhija region.
Because it is home to the greatest number of mountain gorillas in the world, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is situated in the Kanungu district in the southwest of Uganda, is the most popular gorilla destination.
The main activity in Uganda is gorilla trekking, which entails tourists walking far into the forest to look for mountain gorillas and then spending an hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is conducted in three different sectors: Rushaga in the southern part of the park, Buhoma in the northern section, and Nkuringo in the southern part, beyond Ruhijja.
Families of gorillas in the Ruhija sector
One of the gorilla families in the Ruhija sector is Bitukura, which got its name from the river Bitukura, where it was first observed. Since the Bitukura gorilla family was habituated in 2007 and 2008, they are the first group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to be completely habituated in a single year, whereas most groups require two to three years.
The Bitukura family of gorillas
The 13-member Bitukura gorilla family, which includes four silverbacks—Karamuzi, Rukumu, Rukara, and Ndahura, the youngest and most dominant silverback—is noted for being calm and amiable in the Ruhijja region.
Another gorilla family that is accessible in the Ruhija region is the Kyaguriro group. Although the group was set aside for research, it became the oldest habituated gorilla family in the Ruhija sector in 1999. At the time of habituation, Zeus Silverback led the gorilla family. After a dispute with Rukina, another Silverback, he was exiled to the jungle and perished there. Rukina, who was hit by lightning, took over as leader of the group.
Due of the overwhelming demand for gorilla permits in the impassable national park of Bwindi, the Kyaguriro gorilla family was eventually made accessible for trekking. Following a fight in 2016, in which an immigrant silverback named Rukara from the Bitukura family challenged Mukiza silverback, the gorilla group split into two groups.
Rukara-led Kyaguriro A and Mukiza-led Kyaguriro B were the two groups that submerged; as a result, they are sometimes referred to as the Mukiza gorilla family. The amiable Kyaguriro A gorilla family has ten individuals, including one silverback, three adult females, two blackbacks, two juveniles, and two newborns. In contrast, Kyaguriro B has ten members, including one silverback, four adult females, one subadult, and four infants.
Another habituated gorilla family in the Ruhijja region is Oruzogo, which acquired its name from the well-known plant Oruzogoto, where the gorilla family was initially observed. Because of their bravery and intransigence, particularly when it comes to tourists, the Oruzogo gorilla family is the most adored gorilla group. The Bakwata Silverback led the gorilla group when it first opened in 2011 and had 17 members. The family also consists of five adult females, two subadults, five newborns, and two blackbacks.
The fascinating activity of gorilla trekking in the Ruhija area begins very early in the morning with a training on the guidelines to be followed while walking. Following the briefing, you will be split up into groups of eight, each of which will be assigned a habituated gorilla family to hike with and a park guide who is both familiar with gorilla paths and gorilla facts.
Because mountain gorillas prefer to roam around in search of food, particularly during the dry season, gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location.
You can see various bird species, plants, other primate species, and stunning scenery while trekking. After you’ve found the gorilla family, you’ll be able to spend an hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, where you can observe their habits, behaviors, take pictures, record videos, and watch them go about their daily lives, including feeding, playing, resting, and grooming their young.
In order to participate in the thrilling gorilla trekking activity, visitors must first obtain a gorilla trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or a reputable tour operator such as All In Africa Safaris. In the Ruhija area, a gorilla trekking permit costs 800 USD per person for non-resident foreigners, 700 USD per person for residents, and 300,000 UGX per person for citizens of East Africa.
Although it is possible to see gorilla families in the Ruhija sector throughout the year, the best time to do so is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. This is because the forest’s vegetation is at its thinnest during these times, making it easier to see gorillas. Additionally, access roads and gorilla trekking paths are manageable during the dry season as opposed to the wet season, when the park’s access roads and gorilla trekking trails are muddy and slippery, making trekking challenging.
During your gorilla trekking safari, you can stay at a number of lodging establishments in the Ruhija sector. Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Resort, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Forest Camp are just a few of the midrange and affordable lodging options available.
In order to reach the Ruhija sector, which is situated in the eastern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, tourists must drive from Entebbe or Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale before arriving at the park headquarters, which takes approximately eight hours.
By traveling to Kigali International Airport and connecting to the park headquarters via the Katuna border in Kabale, which takes roughly three to four hours by car, visitors can also reach the Ruhija sector from Kigali, Rwanda.
Ruhija Sector can also be reached by air. To get there, you can schedule domestic or charter flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airstrip, which is a two to three-hour drive away. You can reserve domestic flights to Kihihi Airport through your travel agency.
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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