Mucunguzi Gorilla Family in Rushaga Sector

Mucunguzi gorilla family in Rushaga sector is one of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s newly habituated gorilla groups. This group is open to visitors intending to track mountain gorillas in Rushaga, the Southern section of Bwindi. The Mucunguzi family is composed of 8 individuals of endangered mountain gorillas. Led by Mucunguzi, its dominant silverback gorilla. The word Mucunguzi means ‘savoir’ and this family broke away from Bweza family. Mucunguzi silverback spent some time as a solitary silverback till he invaded Bikingi gorilla family. What resulted was walking away with females to start his own family.

Trekking Mucunguzi Gorillas

If you intend to explore more about Mucunguzi group, then book a gorilla permit for Rushaga sector. This gorilla family is found in Rushaga, the Southern gorilla trekking region in Bwindi. Take betweent 2-6 hours to trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search for the family. Upon locating Mucunguzi group, you have a maximum of an hour to enjoy up close and personal moment with this family, taking pictures and exploring in depth about how they behave while in their natural habitat.

A maximum of eight (8) guests are allocated to trek Mucunguzi and visitors are led by an experienced park guide. Gorillas perform different activities during the course of the day. Their day begins early morning with a search for what to feed on, relaxation in the afternoon, coupling, breastfeeding and nesting in the evening, etc.

While observing how members of Mucunguzi group behave, visitors are advised to keep a distance of 8-10m away from these apes to minimize any chances of them contracting infectious human diseases or disturbing their daily behaviors. When taking photos, non-flashlight cameras are more preferable. On returning to the briefing point at Rushaga, you will be awarded a gorilla trekking certificate that shows that you have successfully trekked gorillas.

On actual gorilla trek, briefing begins at 7:00am and it is during this period when you will have insight into the dos and don’ts for gorilla trekking. You begin navigating through the forest in search of Mucunguzi family at 8:00am with assigned park guide.

Aside from Mucunguzi, the other families worth visiting at Rushaga include Nshongi, Bweza, Kutu, Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye, Bikingi, Rwigi and others.

Gorilla permits for Mucunguzi gorilla trekking

Mucunguzi takes 8 visitors per day translating into 8 gorilla permits. These can be booked by persons above 15 years and one valid gorilla permit is issued out at USD 700 per person. Your reliable and trusted local tour operator in Uganda can have your permit booked early enough prior to actual gorilla trekking date.

Best time to do gorilla trekking

Trekking Mucunguzi gorillas can be done at any time of the year, but the best time is the dry season –long or short dry months of the year. The longest dry season in Uganda runs from June to September while short dry season occurs starting from December, January to February.

Essentials to carry for trekking

Packing list for Mucunguzi gorilla group trekking safari includes waterproof daypack, energy giving snacks, and first-aid kit. More things to pack include cotton stocks, waterproof hiking boots/shoes, insect repellents, and rain coat or jacket. You might as well bring along bottled water, valid gorilla permits, a good camera, a sweater, and long trousers. Do not forget the gardening gloves, and long-sleeved shirts.

Top lodges in and around Rushaga

Top accommodation options inside and around Rushaga sector consist of budget, midrange and luxury. They include Nshongi Camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Resort. More accommodations include Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, and Gorilla Valley Lodge. You can also opt to stay in Bwindi Jungle Lodge, and others.

Getting to Rushaga for gorilla trekking

It is a must to travel to Rushaga if you intend to track Mucunguzi family group. You can drive from Kampala to Rushaga for 8-10 hours via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route. Or leave Kigali city via Katuna/Chanika border to Rushaga sector. By air, you can spend a shorter duration of 2 hours on flight from Entebbe airport to Kisoro airstrip. This is where you can be picked up and dropped off to the lodge for a night stay.

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