Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Rushaga gorilla permits and gorilla permits

Rushaga region of Bwindi impenetrable national park – Rushaga sector situated suitably in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is incredibly one of the 4 main trail heads where Gorilla treks starts from. The other sectors include Buhoma which is in the North, Ruhija in the East and Nkuringo also in the South. Rushaga is remarkably one of the most popular sectors that provide amazing Gorilla tracking experience to visitors on Gorilla safaris to Uganda. For travellers who have taken initiative to track Mountain Gorillas within this sector, you can testify what this region has to offer.

Gorilla Tracking in Rushaga

The Rushaga sector is found in the southern sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the home to eight different habituated Gorilla families ready for tracking which are Kutu, Mishaya, Nshongi, Bweza, Muchunguzi, Businge, Kahunge and Rwigi Gorilla families. The ninth Gorilla family is Bikingi only for Gorilla Habituation Experience. Gorilla tracking in Rushaga sector rewards visitors with great views of the magnificent scenery, landscapes of Kabale town and the sector also allows only 64 visitors to its eight Gorilla families for tracking in a day whereby 8 visitors are allowed to each Gorilla family and only four visitors per day participating in the Gorilla Habituation Experience visiting the Bikingi semi-habituated Gorilla family.

Rushaga sector is about 20 kilometres from the sign-posted junction on Kabale to Kisoro road and it’s usually 1-2 hours from Kabale town. From Kampala, Rushaga sector can be accessed via the Kabale-Kisoro road using a bus and this lasts between 10-11 hours. At Kisoro town you can opt to hire a private vehicle to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi forest.

You can also visit the Batwa Pygmies, and discover more about their ways of life and their diverse cultural practices like hunting, fishing within the forest. They also entertain visitors with their traditional music and dance, storytelling etc.
While at Rushaga sector, visitors are treated to the best scenic and bird watching sights where they will have a ride on Lake Mutanda using the dugout wooden canoe to the other side enjoying the beautiful sights of bird species with in the forest at the same time viewing the scenic views of the Virunga Volcanoes lying on the Uganda-Rwanda border.

Nature/forest walks

A side from Gorilla treks, Rushaga area is also ideal for nature or forest walks. For nature lovers, you can take part in this activity in the morning and evening at beginning point. If you are coming from Buhoma area, you can use the Kabale Butogota-Buhoma then connect to Rushaga route. Nature/forest walks allow you to explore variety of primates like monkeys, baboons as well as forest pigs and many more.

Bird watching

Birding-this sector is also ideal for bird watching where you will have a chance to spot out birds like African emerald cuckoo, white tailed blue flycatchers, short tailed warbler, yellow eyed black catcher, Kivu ground thrush, Africa blue flycatcher , yellow eyed black flycatcher, garners warblers, African blue flycatcher, black bee-eaters a mention but a few. You need to be prepared with your gear especially with the binoculars for excellent views over the varied bird species.

Cultural experiences

For cultural enthusiasts, you have a chance to engage in cultural encounters especially while in the Batwa and Bakiga community villages. While on cultural safari in this area, you have opportunity to explore more on local traditions, norms and cultures. There are well-trained guides to take you through the banana plantations and other gardens that make it amazing while you wind through the community trails. On cultural tour in this community, you have a chance to enjoy the unique traditional dances, songs and poems from local performers. There are also a number of amazing activities you can engage in while on cultural tour in the Batwa and Bakiga community.

Where to stay in Rushaga area

There are many accommodation options for overnight stay in Rushaga. They range from budget to luxury. They include Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge and many more.

In conclusion, a visit to Rushaga sector rewards travel endeavours with variety of most thrilling adventure experience. On a Gorilla safari in Rushaga sector get chances to engage in a number of activities including Gorilla tracking, habituation experience, bird watching, nature walks or forest walks, cultural interactions and many others. Great Adventure safaris helps you book a safari to trek gorillas in Rushaga region of Bwindi impenetrable.