Buhoma Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi Gorilla Sectors
Buhoma Gorilla Trekking; Buhoma is popularly known has the major and first visited gorilla family among the other three gorilla families Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo all found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park that sits in Kanungu district, estimating 8 to 9 hours’ drive to access the main destination. Bwindi Impenetrable forest is the main stopping area for fabulous Gorilla trekking experience. Therefore, Buhoma was the first gorilla group to be officially opened for gorilla tourism in 1993 ,which implies that Buhoma region has the oldest habituated gorilla family in the entire Bwindi Impenetrable National park and the first family to be trekked in was called Mubare group .Currently it has 9 members and this is because of Ruhondeza death who passed way in 2013 .Ruhondeza grew older and could no longer defend the family any more though was still the leader ‘’silverback’’ in the family but weak .By the time of Ruhondeza’s death ,the family had only four members and after his death ,the new silverback embarked on an aggressive campaign from other gorilla families to tune of nine members. Due to the new silverback, the family started gaining on numbers.
These are the habituated Gorilla family found in Buhoma regions;
Habinyanja Gorilla family
Mubare Gorilla family
Katwe Gorilla family
Muyambi Gorilla family
Rushegura Gorilla family
Gorilla trekking –Buhoma Sector
Visitors who visits Buhoma gorilla’s sectors can trek mountain gorillas in one of these five gorilla families though, you need to be physically fit to hike to and fro in search of great mountain gorillas.
Activity -Gorilla Trekking Experience
Gorilla trekking experience is quite awesome and unforgettable activity that starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park’s headquarters and after at 8am meet the guide to locate you to the assigned gorilla family. You will then hike to the forest tracking trail head in search of gorillas, which can take 2 to 8 hours depending on their movements. But remember to carry a packed lunch boxes, put on rubber hiking shoes, rain Jacket, mineral water bottle among others. Once gorillas are located you will be given one hour to watch them as you enjoy their exciting life styles while enjoying your lunch boxes and memorable photography.
What is the cost of Gorilla trekking in Uganda-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest goes at a fee of USD700 per person per trek for foreign nonresident, USD600 for foreign resident and UGX250,000 East African Members. You can opt to do Gorilla habitation experience which can be done in Rushanga sector and it goes at 1,500 per person per trek for foreign nonresident and USD1,000 for foreign resident. Gorilla habituation experience is a full day activity where four people are allowed to visit the habituated gorilla family.
Accessibility
Buhoma sector can be accessed both by air and road transport;
By Road –Buhoma sector can easily be accessed from Kampala to other regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National park, approximately 550 kilometers by road.
You still access Buhoma in Bwindi through connecting to Queen Elizabeth national park via the southern sector in Ishasha where you can be able to have a great chance of viewing the unique tree climbing lions .From Queen to Buhoma –Bwindi it takes 2 to 3 hours’ drive .Queen Elizabeth national park popular with biodiversity of wildlife species over 95 mammals and over 600 bird species making it a paradise for birders .In the park the best place to view wildlife species is along Kazinga channel where you can be able to spot variety of species along the banks of the channel quenching for water. In spite the fact that, Buhoma remains the closest gorilla sector to Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale national park for Chimpanzee tracking and Rwenzori National park where you can do a combined wildlife and gorilla safari tour.
By Air transport
Buhoma can also be reached by air plane mostly to those who hate traveling long journeys, you can book your domestic flight in advance from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield by help of the tour operators, a flight takes 1:30 minutes to land at Kihihi or Kisoro airfield.
Apart from gorilla trekking in Buhoma, there are other to do including Nature walk where you can be able to view beautiful butterfly species, birds, tree species and other small primates like black and white monkeys, colobus monkeys, visit the Buhoma Village walk –guided with a guide, do Batwa tradition, Massage therapy, bird watching, Bwindi community hospital tour, Buhoma community village walk among others.
