Buhoma sector offers a variety of attractions in the southwest of Uganda. The sector is situated in the northern part of Bwindi Gorilla Forest Park that lies in the southwest of Uganda and is home to almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. As one of the four gorilla trekking sectors of the Bwindi gorilla park, Buhoma is well-known for being the first to witness mountain gorilla habituation of all bwindi forest sectors. Mountain gorilla habituation of Mubare gorilla family began in Buhoma sector in 1991 and finished in 1993. Nkuringo in the south, Rushaga in the south, and Ruhija in the east are additional trekking sectors of the Bwindi Gorilla Park.
Families of gorillas in Buhoma sector
All gorilla families in Buhoma sector have become used to tourists and welcomes them at any time of year for gorilla trekking. There are five habituated families in the Buhoma sector that provide the same gorilla trekking experience. Gorilla families in Buhoma sector are the Mubare family, which was habituated in 1992; the Habinyanja family, which was habituated in 1997, Rushengura family that was habituated in 2000, Katwe family that was habituated in 2016 and Muyambi family that was habituated in 2017.
Gorilla permits in Buhoma gorilla trekking sector
There are five fully habituated gorilla families in Buhoma sector, and a group of only eight individuals are allowed to trek a gorilla family. Forty mountain gorilla trekking permits are available for Buhoma trekking sector of Bwindi, and they cost the same and are sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority or can be secured by any reputable local tour operator. The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in the Buhoma region is $800 for non-resident foreigners, $700 for residents of other countries, and UGX250,000 for citizens of East Africa. Trekking permits must be reserved three to four months in advance for visitors who wish to visit mountain gorilla families in Buhoma sector.
Trekking gorillas in Buhoma gorilla trekking sector
In Buhoma sector, gorilla trekking begins early in the morning at the sector offices. The purpose of the briefing is to give to give groups to trekkers and give guidelines on the dos and don’ts of the trekking activity. In Buhoma sector, eight individuals are permitted to encounter a single gorilla family, with the hikes being led by armed ranger guides.
Depending on the location of Mountain gorilla group and pace of the trekkers, the experience can last from 2-7 hours. Trekkers encounter a variety of park mammals, primates, and birds while on the search for these great apes. On finding a gorilla family, trekkers will spend an hour with the gorilla family after they are located.
Birdwatching in the Buhoma gorilla trekking sector
The well-known Bamboo Zone Trail and Buhoma Waterfall Trail are used as birding routes in the Buhoma sector. Armed ranger guides lead birding tours, which begin with a briefing. For a successful birding tour to bwindi, birdwatchers visiting the Buhoma region should pack a pair of binoculars.
When you go birding in Buhoma region, you can see birds like the short-tailed warbler, dusky twin spot, montane oriole, regal sunbird, blue-headed sunbird, red-faced woodland warbler, grey cuckoo shrike, bar-tailed trogon, broadbill, purple-faced woodland warbler, dwarf honeyguide, and red-faced woodland warbler, among others.
Nature hikes in Buhoma gorilla trekking sector
The greatest way to explore Buhoma sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park is by foot through a nature walk. Activities for walking safaris in Buhoma sector are led by armed park ranger guides through several hiking trails. On a nature adventure in Buhoma, you may come encounter different park inhabitants such gigantic forest hogs, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, bush pigs, elephants, duikers, chimpanzees, and many bird species.
Cultural tours in the Buhoma trekking sector
Cultural tours in Buhoma sector introduces visitors to the Batwa people, who are said to be this park’s indigenous occupants. Before the government chose to drive them out and gazetted the forest as a national park, the Batwa people lived in Bwindi Forest. The Batwa were poachers who used to go on animal hunts in order to obtain meat, gather fruit, and gather honey. You will visit some of the traditional healers who still use these plants to treat illnesses during your tour to their community. Batwa have used and continued to use indigenous plants as medicine. Local guides lead tours to various homesteads where visitors can observe the day-to-day activities of the Batwa and enjoy traditional dance among other performances
When is the best time to visit Buhoma sector?
Although Buhoma Sector is open year-round for both gorilla and other activities, some months are better than others for visits. The best time to go on a safari in the Buhoma region are during the dry months of June to September and December to February. This is because during this period, there is little to no rainfall, which makes it easy to access the park, the trekking trails are dry and the vegetation is short, providing clear views of the park’s wildlife.
Travelers on budget safaris, can take advantage of lodging discounts during the rainy season on a safari to Buhoma sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park. March to May and October to November are the rainy seasons, and during these months, there is a lot of rainfall, which makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall, making it difficult to see the park animals, and the roads leading to the area to become impassable.
Getting to Buhoma gorilla trekking sector
Buhoma sector is accessible by road from Entebbe or Kampala. Tourists can use use Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Ntungamo-Rukungiri road to Kihihi route, which branches off to approach the Buhoma sector. The route takes 9-10 hours to travel from Kampala to the Buhoma sector. This route offers amazing panoramas of the roadside stops. Alternatively, tourists can use Kabale-Kanungu route from Kigali, visitors can also reach Buhoma sector via the Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park; this takes 3-4 hours.
Alternatively, travelers can use flights to Buhoma
AeroLink Uganda organizes air transportation to reach the Buhoma section of the Bwindi gorilla park. Travelers can reach the Buhoma sector of the Bwindi Gorilla Park by flying into Kihihi Airstrip, which is located in the Buhoma sector, from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport.
Every day during the morning and evening hours, Aero Link Uganda arranges flights to the Buhoma sector and other park sectors.
Lodging in the Buhoma trekking sector
Buhoma sector of the Bwindi Gorilla Park offers a variety of lodging options; where you choose to stay will depend on your preferences and financial situation. Buhoma Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Ride 4 women Guest House, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge are just a few of the best lodging options available in the area, ranging from affordable to luxurious.