Gorilla trekking in Ruhija region – Guaranteed Gorilla permits for Bwindi impenetrable National park in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Ruhija region – Ruhija is the Eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and it has got four Gorilla families which include Bitukura Gorilla family with twelve members, Oruzogo Gorilla family with fifteen members, Mukiza Gorilla family with thirteen members and Kyagurilo Gorilla family with seven members. Kyagurilo Gorilla family doubles as a Gorilla family for research as well as for tourism. This means that thirty two Gorilla permits are available every day and only eight people are allowed to trek a particular Gorilla family every day for one time.
Ruhija can be accessed from Kampala/Entebbe through Kabale town and this will take you eight to nine hours’ drive. Ruhija sector can also be easily accessed from Kigali Rwanda through Kabale and this will take you three to four hours’ drive. The exceptions that make Ruhija a best stop for your Uganda Gorilla safari include:
Gorilla trekking in Ruhija Region
Mountain Gorillas are a key attraction for all visitors to Ruhija sector part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This region is a home to four Gorilla families available for trekking every day. Like in other sectors, eight people visit a Gorilla family each day hence thirty two Gorilla permits are available in Ruhija sector every day. A traveler has a choice to select which Gorilla family he/she wants to trek depending on the availability of permits. Trekkers are reminded to carry the appropriate packing list with hiking shoes, long pants and rain jackets to ease Gorilla trekking. A Gorilla permit is a must have for everyone going to see mountain Gorillas costing USD700 for foreign nonresidents, USD600 for foreign residents and 250,000UGX for east African residents. Potters are highly recommended to help carry your bag which contains your packed lunch and drinking water and give support where necessary at a fee of USD15 which is paid directly to him or her at the end of the exercise. Gorilla trekking is sometimes strenuous so it requires a certain level of fitness.
Popular Gorilla trekking safari itineraries to Ruhija Region of Bwindi Forest
All these safari itineraries can be customized to suit your travel dates and budget.
The Batwa People (Pygmy)
Do not miss out visiting Batwa communities in the boundaries of the forest. Batwa people are the indigenous dwellers of Bwindi forest that were evicted to the forest edges in 1991 when Gorilla tourism was introduced in the National Park. Batwa community visit rewards you with an extensive understanding of their traditional forest life, norms, and cultures. Batwa elders guide you into the forest to demonstrate their initial forest practices like hunting, collecting honey, and picking medicinal herbs. Batwa people further demonstrate their traditional songs and dances as a form of entertainment to visitors.
Bird watching
Ruhija is one of the best spot for bird watching. The region is a home to nearly 23 endemic bird species which include grey bush shrike, starred robin, yellow streaked greenbul, Dusky Crimson Wing and yellow-eyed black fly-catcher among others. Ruhija is therefore a recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) for its global conservation importance. Travelers are reminded to bring binoculars for easy spotting. Experienced local guides help you spot birds and explain the unique features for each spotted bird species, which make this experience indeed exceptional.
Forest walks
A nature walk through this quite cool impenetrable forest is an experience of its own kind. This walk is a best way to discover the entire gem in the forest, waterfalls, caves and rocks which make it more beautiful. Expect to meet animals and enjoy the sweet sounds of birds singing up in the trees.
Cool and conducive weather
The cool stinging breezes that cover up the whole of Ruhija region especially at night make this region exceptional. The extreme but conducive cold weather in Ruhija is attributed to the hilly terrain and dense forests, which make up the region. In the morning hours, forest fog stays until 11am good for photography. In the night travelers are given warm water bottles to provide them with some warmth and get away with freezing in the coldness.
Where to stay?
Ruhija has got several accommodation properties which range from budget to mid-range and one can stay in Buhoma sector the north of Bwindi where we have the luxury type of accommodation properties and trek Gorillas in Ruhija. This requires you to start very early in the morning as there is a drive for two hours to get to Ruhija from Buhoma. One can also choose to stay at Lake Bunyonyi near Kabale town which also requires a drive of approximately two hours.
For your Gorilla trekking in Ruhija region, do contact us at Great Adventures Safaris with the dates you wish to travel so that we check availability for services and Gorilla permits so that we pre book your Gorilla Safari within your time frame.
You might also like;
