Gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector; Rushaga is the gorilla sectors located in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Rushaga sector is one of the four sectors that offer the endangered mountain gorillas which involves visitors moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.
Rushaga sector is a home of 8 habituated gorilla families namely Busingye, Nshongi, Bweza, Mishaya, Bikingi, Rwigi, Mukyunguzi and Kahungye gorilla families which are available for trekking daily. Gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide.
Trekking of mountain gorillas in Rushaga sector takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to view different bird species, plants, tree species, view other primate species, beautiful butterflies among others and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their habits, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record the beautiful moments.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector
This can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and January. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in Rushaga sector therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be passable compared to the wet season when the gorilla trekking trails are muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Rushaga sector
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal card that is issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit habituated gorilla families and spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. A gorilla trekking permit in Rushaga sector costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Rushaga sector
There are two ways of booking a gorilla trekking permit in Rushaga sector for example booking directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority or booking through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris. When booking through a tour operator, you will contact us with the dates, month and year when you wish to visit the mountain gorillas. After contacting us we will check for availability of the permits and once they are available on your dates, you will be asked to make a deposit. When we receive the money, we will acquire the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Where to stay in Rushaga sector
There are a wide range of accommodation facilities in Rushaga sector where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Four gorillas lodge, Rushaga gorilla lodge, Gorilla safari lodge, Nkuringo homestay, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Rushaga gorilla camp, Clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Gorilla hills eco-lodge, Chameleon hill lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Nshongi camp, Wagtail eco safari camp, Bwindi jungle lodge, Gorilla valley lodge, Lake Mulehe gorilla lodge, Rushaga gorilla haven lodge, Bwindi backpackers lodge
How to get to Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
Rushaga sector can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Other activities in Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector offers other interesting activities that visitors can engage in after gorilla trekking including gorilla habituation experience where they will be able to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas, nature walk, bird watching where you will be able to view different bird species, cultural tour, chameleon tracking among others.
