Buhoma Sector
Buhoma sector of the sectors of Bwindi impenetrable national park located in northern region of the park, the sector is situated in Kanungu district. For a record Buhoma sector is the most amazing and easiest sector to trek gorillas from , the interesting fact about buhoma sector is that it hosts the first gorilla family to be habituated and first trekked in Bwindi impenetrable national park that is mubare gorilla family.
Gorilla families found in buhoma sector
Rushegura gorilla family
Rushegura gorilla family is a big gorilla family in buhoma sector consisting of 15 gorilla individuals with 4 blackback, 4 adult females, 3 juveniles, 4 infants under the leadership of a dominant Alpha kabukojo. Rushegura gorilla family was habituated in 2000 and received first trekker in 2002, this group split from Habinyanja gorilla family and trekking this group takes approximately 3-5 hours.
Mubare gorilla family
Mubare gorilla family is the oldest and first habituated gorilla family in buhoma sector, this family is the most interesting family in buhoma sector consisting of 9 gorilla individuals with one silver back, 1 black back, one adult female and two juveniles under the leadership of a dominant Alpha Ruhondeza. Mubare gorilla family was habituated in 1991 and received its first trekking group in 1993.
Habinyanja gorilla family
Habinyanja gorilla family is an amazing gorilla family of 17 members consisting of 1 silverback, Mubare gorilla family under the leadership of a dominant Alpha Makara, Habinyanja gorilla family is named after a local name Nyanja meaning water which refers to a place its members were first spotted during its habituation process which began in 1997 and ended in 1999. Trekking this group takes approximately 5 hours to a whole day of trekking.
Activities in buhoma sector
Mountain gorilla trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking is the most famous activity offered in taking place in buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park, mountain gorilla trekking in buhoma sector involves hiking through trails looking for the fascinating mountain gorillas. In buhoma sector you track for three gorilla families that is Mubare gorilla family, Rushegura gorilla family and Habinyanja gorilla family where you will be blown away by being in presence of the gorillas which is an amazing experience. Mountain gorilla trekking is eligible to tourist only with a gorilla trekking permit which costs US$ 700 per individual per day.
Bird watching
Buhoma sector is dominated by thick forest which a perfect habitant for numerous bird species most especially forest bird species and migratory species. Many bird species are spotted while on a bird watching safari and these include Chapin’s fly catcher, Handsome francolin, Rwenzori Batis, Tit Hylia, Dusky Twin spot, Montane Oriole, Regal sunbird, African wood owl, Bar-tailed trogon, Western green tinker bird, Black bee-eater, Bwarf honeyguide, Grey guckoo-shrike, Kivu ground-thrush, Yellow-sreaked greenbul, Shelly’s greenbul, Red-throated alethe, collared apalis, handsome francolin, strange weaver and many more
The best time to go for bird watching safari in buhoma sector is in the periods of March – September and June – July, these periods are nesting periods and many migratory come to the park in these months meaning you get to spot many birds in buhoma sector.
Nature walks
Nature walks are the best way of enjoying nature in buhoma sector, this activity takes you on a walk through the forested dominated buhoma sector using numerous trails running through the sector. As you walk you encounter many bird species such as Antpecker, Pink-footed Puff back, Waller’s Starling, Crested Guinea fowl, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Grey Crowned Crane, White-headed Saw-wing and many more, and primates such as olive baboons, colobus monkeys and many more.
Community walks
Community walks in buhoma sector offers you a chance to tour the traditional and cultural side of buhoma sector, this activity takes you on a walk in communities living on the borders of buhoma sector and Bwindi impenetrable national park at large. These communities include bakiga communities and these communities you get to participate and witness activities like cultural dances, songs and drama, picking of local herbs by traditional healers, black smiting and interacting with the local people which help you learn more about the village and its history.
Trekking trails in buhoma sector
Munyaga river trail
Munyaga river trail is the easiest trail in the park, this trail navigates trough the valley along bizenga creek joining Munyaga River. Hiking on munyaga river trail you get to spot many birds and primates.
Rushura hill trail
Rushura hill trail is one of the adventurous trails in buhoma sector starting from Buhoma park office leading to Rushura hill which is the highest point in the park, as you hike on this trail you get to encounter terraced fields and forests and once you are on top of the park you get to enjoy the scenic sights of western rift valley and Virunga mountains. This trail takes 3-4 hours of completion.
Waterfall trail
Waterfall trail is considered the most popular trail in Bwindi impenetrable national park leading to waterfall in the park, as you hike on this trail you get to encounter many vegetation species, butterflies and many bird species. This trail takes 3 hours of completion.
River Ivy trail
River ivy trail is a trail of 14 kilometers and considered the longest trail in Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park, this trail runs through the southern region of Bwindi impenetrable national park leading o MUKEMPUNU a famous place for a large population of wild pigs. Hiking on river Ivy trail takes a proximately 8 hours for completion and you get to spot many bird species, primates like chimpanzees, white and black colobus monkeys, duikers and many beautiful butterflies.
Muzabajiro loop trail
Muzabajiro loop trail is a trail of 6 kilometer, this trail navigates through the hills of buhoma and as you hike on it you get to encounter many vegetation cover of different kinds, primates such as golden monkeys and also enjoy the scenic views of Virunga volcanoes.
Where to stay in buhoma sector
Buhoma sector consists of many accommodation facilities where you can stay as a tourist on a safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park trekking in this sector, these facilities include Bwindi view bandas, buhoma lodge, Bwindi guest house, top notch gorilla forest camp, luxury buhoma lodge, silverback lodge and buhoma community rest camp.
How to get to buhoma sector
Buhoma sector is very accessible by both road and air transport means, buhoma sector is 95 kilometers from Kampala a drive of 3-4 hours and by road it is reached using Kampala-masaka-mbarara-ntugamo-rukungiri-buhoma route. By air means of transport buhoma sector is reached using a chartered domestic flight from either kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe international airstrip to Kihihi airstrip. Buhoma sector can also be reached from kabale town which is a 2 hours’ ride and from ishasha southern sector of Queen Elizabeth national park which is a drive of 4 hours’.
