Both Ruhija and Rushaga are among the only four gorilla tracking regions situated in the exotic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The other 2 are the Nkuringo gorilla sector in the southern region and Buhoma in the northern part of the park. With over half of the only remaining mountain gorillas remaining in the world, about 500 gorilla individuals sheltered in Bwindi. The gentle giant primates are scattered all over the four compass directions of the park to give travelers and guests the most unforgettable Uganda gorilla experience.

However, the four gorilla tracking regions have differences in terms of location, accessibility, number of gorilla families sheltered, accommodation facilities, distance, and gorilla trekking experience. Let’s compare then, gorilla trekking in Rushaga and gorilla trekking in Ruhija. Which is better? What gorilla tracking sector offers the most unforgettable gorilla experience, which one shelters more gorillas than the other, and more.

Location of Ruhija and Rushaga gorilla tracking regions. 

Ruhija gorilla sector is located in the far eastern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is the closest sector to the northern gate of Buhoma. The sector’s location gives it a more secluded interaction with the community. The Rushaga gorilla sector on the other hand is located in the southern region of the park. It is strategically located at the edge of the park. Its location gives it incredible views of the Virunga Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, adding to the adventure experience.

The Rushaga gorilla sector also offers an unforgettable and jaw-dropping experience like no other.

Gorilla experience between Ruhija and Rushaga.

The gorilla tracking experience between the 2 sectors doesn’t differ that much given the high number of gorillas in Bwindi. Therefore, tracking these primates from both sectors gives the guest a high chance of bumping into these gentle giant primates in their natural habitats. However, the gorilla experience in the Rushaga gorilla sector is more exhausting than that of the Ruhija sector. This is because the terrain of Rushaga is very steep and slippery with loose gravel. This terrain presents a challenge even to the most athletic visitors, and this adds a hiking feeling to the gorilla trekking experience. The Ruhija gorilla sector, on the other hand, has a relatively steep terrain but is easily navigable compared to that of the Rushaga gorilla sector.

Accommodation facilities

Both Ruhija and Rushaga gorilla tracking regions offer accommodation depending on the guest’s choice and budget. The accommodation in both gorilla sectors ranges from luxury and midrange to budget. However, the Rushaga gorilla sector has more accommodation choices compared to the Ruhija gorilla sector. This is because the Rushaga sector has several accommodation facilities to choose from. Therefore, in terms of accommodation facilities, the Rushaga gorilla sector has more facilities compared to the Ruhija gorilla sector.

Accessibility

The Rushaga gorilla sector and the Ruhija gorilla sector can both be accessed by road. This is because Bwindi Impenetrable National Park does not have an airstrip inside its premises, given it has a mountainous terrain that does not favor airstrip construction. However, there are airstrips around the park premises in Kabale and Kisoro where visitors can plane and then drive to the park. The Rushaga sector’s location at the edge of the park in the south means that it is easily accessed by air from the capital. However, by road, the Ruhija sector is easily accessed since it is closer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s main road gate.

Activities

Comparing the Rushaga and Ruhija gorilla sectors by the activities they offer, the Rushaga gorilla sector takes the lion’s share. This is because it is vast and offers more activities than the Ruhija sector. The Rushaga gorilla sector, on top of offering a gorilla trekking experience, also offers other activities like gorilla habituation, hiking, birding, and cultural encounters. It is also important to note that the Rushaga sector is the place in the country to have a gorilla habituation experience. On the other hand, the Ruhija gorilla sector only offers gorilla trekking, birding, and the cultural experience of the Batwa pygmies.

Mountain gorilla families

In the comparison of mountain gorilla families between the Ruhija and Rushaga gorilla sectors, the latter comes in the lead. The vast land mass of the Rushaga gorilla sector has favored its housing and attracted many gorilla families. The other factor for the high number of gorilla families is that this sector habituates several families. The Rushaga and Ruhija gorilla sectors have 8 and 4 mountain gorilla families respectively.

In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Ruhija gorilla sector and Rushaga gorilla sector have both provided unimaginable experiences to the visitors. However, with many factors at hand, each gorilla sector has its unique differences that have made it come in the lead at different times. Take to experience a breathtaking gorilla trekking adventure in both sectors and pick your best gorilla sector.