Overview
Gorilla trekking is a breathtaking activity taking tourists through the frosty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda. Gorillas are only endemic to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, holding almost half of the world’s remaining population. These giant strongest primates bear about 98% of a man’s DNA. Uganda has 5 sectors that host gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking involves tourists being given an hour with the primates deep in the misty forests, watching how they feed, play, groom, and roam around with their chores. Mountain gorillas live in groups called families with each being headed by a dominant silverback. Uganda has over 51 gorilla families with 25 of these habituated and open for trekking in the 4 sectors of Bwindi and 1 of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi harbors 50 families with 24 habituated. These live in the four gorilla sectors of Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. The Rushaga sector is where gorilla habituation experience can only be done. On the other hand, Mgahinga has only one habituated mountain gorilla family.
Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector
The Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is the most commonly visited and oldest sector of Bwindi. Buhoma hosts the first habituated gorilla family in Uganda and in Bwindi known as the Mubare gorilla family. It was habituated in 1992 and opened for trekking the year later. Buhoma today owns 4 habituated gorilla families including Mubare, Habinyanja, Muyambi, and Katwe gorilla family.
Mubare gorilla family
Mubare is the oldest gorilla family in the Buhoma sector, habituated in 1992 after Dr Dian Fossey’s efforts in the mountain gorilla conservation mission became successful. Tourists very much fell in love with the mountain gorillas and more were habituated with time today, Mubare family had 9 gorilla individuals.
Habinyanja gorilla family
The Habinyanja gorilla family was habituated in late 1996, holding its first trek in 1999. Habinyanja was named after a Kinyarwanda word “Nyanja” meaning water since it was first sighted near a water body. The family has only 12 gorilla individuals under the leadership of Rwansigazi the dominant silverback who took over control from the late Mugurusi that died of old age.
Muyambi gorilla family
Muyambi is a freshly habituated gorilla family in the Buhoma sector having split from the Mubare gorilla family. The group has only 8 family members under the leadership of a dominant silverback.
Katwe gorilla family
Katwe gorilla family was opened for trekking in 2008 with only 9 gorilla members being led by Mahaane the dominant silverback.
Gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector
Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is home to 4 habituated gorilla families thriving in the high-altitude plains of the Ruhija sector. A very good area for hiking while on gorilla trekking.
Bitukura gorilla family
Bitukura gorilla family was habituated in 2007 with Ndahura as the leader of the family, he aged and died in 2016. Later the family received Mugisha as the new head of the family heading a group of 13 gorilla Individuals.
Oruzogo gorilla family
The family holds a unique aspect of respecting the nature of the Oruzogo tree, thus the family name. The Oruzogo gorilla family has only 10 family members.
Kyaguliro gorilla family
This was one of the biggest gorilla families in Bwindi that originally had 20 gorilla individuals being led by Rukina the dominant silverback. Shortly Rukina lost his life when he was struck by lightning, leading to the splitting of the group into Kyaguliro A led by Rukara, and Kyaguliro B which later became Mukiza by the leader Mukiza.
Mukiza gorilla family
The Mukiza gorilla family split from the Kyaguliro gorilla family and followed the dominant silverback Mukiza with only 15 gorilla individuals.
Which is the best, Buhoma or Ruhija?
About Buhoma
Buhoma is the oldest gorilla sector with the oldest and the first habituated gorilla family in Bwindi. It is the most easily accessible sector from Kampala and is the center of all the other sectors of the park. Buhoma is the biggest sector having various trails including the Rushura Trail, Muzabajro Loop Trail, River Ivy Trail, and Munyaga River Trail among others.
About Ruhija
Ruhija sector is the best as it is closest to Lake Bunyonyi, the best relaxing place after the tiresome gorilla trekking. Ruhija is a very quiet sector allowing you to trek the gorillas without any disturbances. Ruhija is closer to Buhoma meaning travelers can sleep in the Buhoma sector and trek in Ruhija since Ruhija has few accommodation facilities. Ruhija is at a high altitude, giving a challenge during ingredients trekking, a thrilling adventure.
The best time for visiting the Ruhija and Buhoma sectors for gorilla trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is susceptible to visit throughout the year and is beatified by its cardinal location in the rainforest zone, the grasslands are green receiving rain throughout the year.
The park is best to visit during the dry season running from June to August and December to February, receiving low rainfall and less slippery ground, and simplifying treks. This is the peak season for all national parks in Uganda causing an increase in ticket prices and accommodation. The wet season is the lowest season ruling from March, April, May, and November.
