Gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park; Gorilla trekking is an extraordinary activity that involves visitors moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of the best visited gorilla trekking destination located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu district. Bwindi impenetrable national park is famously known for harboring half of the world’s mountain gorilla population which makes it the best gorilla trekking destination. The national park is a home of more than 20 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking daily. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is done in four sectors namely Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors.
Buhoma sector
Buhoma is one of the four gorilla trekking sectors located in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park in Kanungu district. Buhoma sector is a home of five habituated gorilla families namely Mubare, Habinyanka, Rushegura, Muyambi and Katwe gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis.
Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector is another gorilla trekking sector located in southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Rushaga sector is a home of 8 habituated gorilla families which are open for visitors daily namely Mishaya, Nshongi, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye, Rwigi, Bikingi, Mucunguzi gorilla family. Rushaga sector also offers gorilla habituation experience
Ruhija sector
Ruhija sector is a gorilla trekking sector located in the eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park in Rubanda district. The sector is a home of four habituated gorilla families namely Kyaguriro, Oruzogo, Bitukura and Mukiza families.
Nkuringo sector
Nkurongo sector is another gorilla trekking sector located in southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Nkuringo sector is a home of three habituated gorilla families namely Nkuringo, Bushaho and Christmas gorilla families which are available for trekking daily.
Gorilla trekking in Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Rushaga sector starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulation to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be sub-divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide who is well conversant with different gorilla trekking trails. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park 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 other primate species, trees, different bird species among others. Once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, lifestyle, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, grooming young ones, take photos and record breathtaking moments to show people back home after the safari.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking permits are legal cards or documents that are issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit habituated gorilla families in any of the sector and spend one hour with the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park cost 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. Gorilla habituation permits in Rushaga sector cost 1,500 USD per person for foreign non residents, 1,000 USD per person for foreign residents and 750,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris. The permits should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because they are competitive and usually get sold out especially during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February. Therefore in order to avoid last minute disappointments, you are advised to book in advance.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park 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 February. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the park therefore gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the gorilla trekking trails are muddy and slippery hence making trekking difficult.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by either road or air transport means.
When using road transport means, visitors will drive from Kampala early in the morning via Masaka, Mbarara, kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where visitors will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to any of the sectors in Bwindi via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
When using air transport means, visitors will book scheduled and charter domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips. Domestic flights to Bwindi impenetrable national park can be booked through your tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris.
Where to stay in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park has a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where visitors can stay during their gorilla trekking safari including Bwindi forest lodge, sanctuary gorilla forest camp, volcanoes Bwindi lodge, four gorillas lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, wagtail safari lodge, trekkers tavern cottages, Ruhija gorilla safari lodge, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Gift of nature lodge, Chameleon hill lodge, Ruhija gorilla mist camp, Bwindi jungle view lodge, Cuckoo land tented lodge, Buhoma lodge, Clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Buhoma haven lodge, Engagi lodge, Eco marvels gorilla lodge, Buhoma community rest camp, Ruhija community rest camp, Bwindi view bandas, Bwindi guest house, Gorilla resort, Lake Kitandara Bwindi camp, Ruhija gorilla friends resort, Mahogany springs lodge, Silverback lodge, Rushaga gorilla haven lodge among others.
