The Best sector for Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking happens in only four destinations in the whole world, that is the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in DR Congo, and Uganda, it happens in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an extraordinary experience that allows you to come face-to-face with the magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Trekking in Uganda is an adventure that will leave you breathless and forever changed. Uganda is not only considered one of the best African countries for gorilla trekking since it offers a unique and immersive gorilla experience that sets it beyond other destinations but also because of its diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and range of trekking options that make it a gorilla trekking paradise.
Uganda offers diverse trekking experiences with four trekking sectors in Bwindi that are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Rushaga which enables you to choose the experience that best suits you since each sector offers unique landscapes, gorilla families, and trekking challenges. Gorilla treks also happen in a rural setting where tourists can immerse themselves in the raw cultures of Uganda’s local communities, learning about their traditions, customs, and the critical role they play in gorilla conservation.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is best done in
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Mountain Gorillas are among Uganda’s top tourist attractions. While trekking these great creatures, the experience and excitement you encounter with them is worthwhile. Tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a unique, thrilling, and fulfilling experience it is a journey leading one to appreciate the hidden treasures of Uganda. The park shelters over 36 Gorilla groups with only 17 families can be visited for gorilla trekking in the park. The remaining gorilla families are still wild though some are still undergoing the gorilla habituation process. These 17 families can be found in designated sectors in the park which include;
Buhoma sector.
This is located on the northern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is exceptionally one of the four most incredible tracking regions you wouldn’t want to miss tracking while on your mountain gorilla adventures in Uganda. The region features the oldest trailhead in Uganda given when it comes to mountain gorilla adventures. Buhoma has three families that are; Rushegura, Habinyanja, and Mubare which was the first family to be introduced for tracking in 1993.
- This Mubare family got its name from the most magnificent Mubare hills consisting of 9 family members including one silverback, blackback, one adult female, and two juveniles led by Kanyonyi silverback plus Kashundwe as an infant. It is easier to track this group as the mountain gorillas in this group used to live closer to the Buhoma Park headquarters. visitors spend more than five hours tracking the family which gives them a higher advantage.
- The Habinyanja family also known as the H family is composed of 18 members with mainly 2 silverbacks. It was discovered around a swamp in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest hence the name Habinyanja which means Nyanja. It is important to note that mountain gorillas behave just like human beings, with time they also split and this applies to almost all the gorilla groups.
- Rushegura gorilla family:
This is another amazing group, sometimes called the R-group. It is a larger gorilla family compared to other families comprising 21 members, having one silverback, black back, five adult females, two sub-adults, six juveniles, and six infants. This group was first habituated in 2000 for gorilla tracking and in 2002; it received its first tourists. Tracking this group takes less time as its gorilla members tend to live near the park headquarters hence more preferable to visitors who are interested in shorter treks.
The Nkuringo sector.
It is situated suitably in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Nkuringo sector is incredibly one of the 4 main trailheads where treks kick start in this particular park. Nkuringo is remarkably one of the most popular sectors that provide an amazing gorilla trekking experience to visitors on a gorilla safari in Uganda. Gorilla tracking commenced here in 2004 with the Nkuringo Gorilla Family which was opened to tourists in April 2004 after being habituated since 1996. Other gorilla families in the Nkuringo Sector include Christmas, Bushaho, and Posho Gorilla Family. This sector is also characterized by steep hills and sharp valleys.
The Ruhija sector.
It is located in the Eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is easily accessed from Kabale or Buhoma. It is a habitat of a good number of mountain gorillas. The Ruhija Sector is Bwindi’s highest and arguably the most beautiful gorilla-watching destination. It is situated at an altitude of about 2340m above sea level. The sector offers dazzling views over the forested ridge and the distant Virunga Volcanoes. Some parts of the road give amazing views of the western Rift Valley. This sector was opened to gorilla tracking in 2008 and it has four habituated Gorilla groups including the Bitukura family, Oruzogo family, Kyaguriro group, and Mukiza Group. The Kyaguriro Gorilla group reserved for research has been fully habituated for gorilla tourism. Also, note that 8 people track the habituated gorilla family. Compared to the Buhoma sector, Ruhija has few Gorilla groups compared to Buhoma sector.
The Rushaga sector
It is located in the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This sector has several gorilla families which include Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungyeand Bweza. Time spent at Rushaga is a footstep into a path less visited and in harmony with local cultures and Nature at a glance. This Gorilla hub Rushaga is a village with a rich cultural tapestry of Batwa and Bakiga people. Rushaga as a name dates back many centuries and was derived from the presence of more “zanphophylum Gillette” Hardwood trees are common in this mountainous area of Bwindi forest when Lumbering was a major activity. From this local tree name “Omushaga” if one tree or “Emishaga” denotes many trees, the village got its name “Rushaga”.
Recommendations:
For easier treks: Consider Buhoma or Ruhija.
For more challenging treks: Nkuringo or Rushaga might be better.
For a more exclusive experience: Ruhija, due to its quieter nature and fewer visitors.
For diversity and habituation experience: Rushaga is ideal.
Each sector provides a unique trekking experience, so the best one for you will depend on what you seek in your gorilla trekking adventure.