Why trek mountain gorillas in Rushaga sector?

Why trek mountain gorillas in Rushaga sector? – Bwindi impenetrable National Park – Guaranteed Gorilla permits

Why trek mountain gorillas in Rushaga sector? – Rushaga is one of the four sectors that make up Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, a home to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world. Rushaga is an exceptional region situated in the southern part of Bwindi. The high cost of gorilla tours in Rwanda have presently made Rushaga a popular sector to see and interact with these critically endangered species. Rushaga is mostly visited by travelers connecting from Kigali through Cyanika border in Kisoro district. A gorilla trek to Rushaga sector is a special experience which comes along with other experiences like clear views of the Virunga volcanoes especially the Virunga, Gahinga and Muhabura in Mgahinga gorilla national park and lake Bunyonyi which is the deepest crater lake in Uganda, and the second deepest in Africa. Among the reasons why you should visit Rushaga sector of Bwindi include among others;

High number of gorilla families and availability of gorilla permits

Rushaga is well known for sheltering a high number of habituated mountain gorilla families available for trekking. The sector is a home to five gorilla groups which guarantee travelers a chance to access permits unlike other sectors. These families include Nshongi, Kahungye, Busingye, Mishaya and Bweza, kutu, Rwigi, Muchunguzi, Bikingi gorilla group. These gorilla families vary in size but an interaction with any of the five is a memorable experience. Just like in all gorilla destinations, each gorilla family in Rushaga is led by a silverback, which determines the movements and daily activities within the family. Everyday there are 40 gorilla permits available to issue out in Rushaga which guarantees access to permits even those who book at the last hour. The availability of many gorilla families gives travelers an opportunity to choose which gorilla family he/she wants to trek.

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Gorilla habituation experience

Why trek mountain gorillas in Rushaga sector? – Besides gorilla trekking, Rushaga rewards travelers with memorable mountain gorilla habituation experience. It’s only in this sector that wild mountain gorillas are habituated to reduce the fear of human presence before they are declared free for trekking. Presently two gorilla families namely  Bikyingi are undergoing habituation experience. In habituation, each gorilla family is visited by a group of four travelers for four hours interaction. Unlike in gorilla trekking where eight people are allowed to interact with a gorilla family, only a group of four people are allowed to interact with a family undergoing habituation. Tourists are expected to have a valid habituation permit which cost 1500usd for four hours interaction. A habituation permit which cost 1500usd is a must have by all tourists.

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Ease of access from Kigali

For those connecting from Kigali, Rushaga is the first stop point. The sector is roughly 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali through Cyanika border. Also, Rushaga sector can be easily accessed by air. Here tourists can use a charter flight to kisoro airstrip from where they connect to Rushaga.

Availability of lodges

Rushaga sector is well served with a variety of luxury, midrange and budget lodges, which serve tourists with excellent food and sleeping services. The available lodges in Rushaga sector include gorilla safari lodge, chameleon hill, Ichumbi lodge, Mutanda lake resort, Four gorillas lodge, Gorilla heights Lodge, Rshaga gorilla camp, Rushaga gorilla havens lodge Bwindi jungle lodge and gorilla valley lodge among others. These lodges hire professional, knowledgeable staff who not only offer excellent services, but basic knowledge about gorilla tourism in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Also these lodges organize other activities such as community visits and forest walks, which make your safari to Bwindi a complete package. Contact Great Safaris for any questions about why trek mountain gorillas in Rushaga sector with gorilla permits.