What is the Best place for gorilla tracking in Bwindi – Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo region
What is the best place for Gorilla tracking in Bwindi forest is one of the commonly asked questions by many intending to see the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Gorilla tracking in Bwindi forest takes place in four different places located in different regions of this jungle. The correct answer to this question depends on your choice and preferences. Each region has distinct features that make it exceptional from the other.
For long time it’s advised to trek Mountain Gorillas in all regions for accurate comparisons. The four regions are Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Buhoma which make up the magical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park a home to almost half of the number of the Mountain Gorillas in the world. Great Adventure Safaris brings you the details on each Gorilla region in Bwindi forest to help you draw a better comparison before choosing the best place to visit for your Gorilla trekking.
Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector has exceptional features that make it outstanding compared to other Gorilla regions in Bwindi forest. Buhoma is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and is the first region to host the first group of trackers to trek Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi forest. The sector is home to Bwindi’s oldest Gorilla group (Mubare), which was habituated in 1992 when Gorilla tourism was initiated in this forest. Also, the ease of access to Buhoma from Kabale makes it the first stop for you if driving from Kampala/Entebbe road.
Those flying from Kajjansi to Kihihi Airfield easily connect to Buhoma, unlike other sectors. The sector is also known to have the most luxurious lodges which offer you with high-end food and sleeping services. Accommodation in Buhoma sector includes Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi Volcano Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Silverback Lodge and Buhoma Community Rest Camp among others. In addition to Mubare Gorilla family, Buhoma is home to Katwe Gorilla family, Rushegura Gorilla family, and Habinyanja Gorilla family. Other activities to do in Buhoma sector include waterfall hiking; bird watching ad local community visits for cultural experiences.
Ruhija sector
The region is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and is home to 4 habituated Gorilla families, which are Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mukiza and Kyaguliro. The sector has 32-Gorilla permits available every day. Besides Gorilla trekking, Ruhija sector offers a variety of tourism activities, which include bird watching, primate walking to see white and black colobus not forgetting the cool, quiet nature walks. The top lodges in Ruhija sector include Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort Campsite, Gorilla Mist Camp, and Broadbill Forest Camp among others. The best route to Ruhija is through Kabale town but can also be reached through Kisoro town.
Rushaga sector
Situated in southern Bwindi forest, Rushaga sector has presently become a favourite Gorilla region for many. The ease of access to Rushaga from Kigali Rwanda has made it a first stop centre for most Rwanda Uganda Gorilla safaris compared to other regions. A drive from Kigali International Airport is roughly four hours through Cyanika border in Kisoro town. Also, Rushaga sector is home to a high number of Mountain Gorilla families. These are Kahungye Gorilla family, Nshongi Gorilla family, Bweza Gorilla family, Mishaya Gorilla family and Busingye Gorilla family. Each Gorilla family in Rushaga sector is visited by 8 people very day. There are high chances of getting Gorilla permits in Rushaga region compared to other regions. Also, the sector has a wide selection of luxury, midrange and budget lodges and camps to provide you with quality food and sleeping services at affordable rates. The top lodges in Rushaga region include Gorilla Safari Lodge, Chameleon hill Lodge, Lake Mutanda Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp and Bwindi Jungle Lodge among others. Besides Gorilla trekking, Rushaga sector is a centre for Gorilla habituation experience. Two Gorilla families of Bushaho and Bikyingi are undergoing habituation and each is visited by four people every day. A Gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 per person per trek but the experience is worth the penny. This exceptional Gorilla experience makes Rushaga sector a distinct and best Gorilla region in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Nkuringo sector
Located in southern Bwindi, Nkuringo is a special sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The clear views of Rwanda and the Virunga Volcanoes while at the top of the Nkuringo hill make this sector distinct. Two Gorilla families, which are Nkuringo and Christmas Gorilla families, habituated for trekking in Nkuringo region. Christmas Gorilla family is one of the newly forced Gorilla families in this impenetrable forest and an adventure with this new family is indeed a remarkable experience.
16 Gorilla permits are issued out every day in Nkuringo region. The accommodations in Nkuringo sector include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite. These offer luxury, midrange, and budget food and sleeping services depending on your budget.
In general, each Gorilla region in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is exceptional and worth exploring. Book a Uganda Gorilla tracking adventure with Great Adventure Safari to any of the four Gorilla sectors in Bwindi forest, meet face to face with the endangered apes in their natural habitat for a lasting experience. If you have enough time, visit all regions for accurate Gorilla trekking comparisons.
