Gorilla trekking in Rushaga from Kigali, Rwanda

Driving from Kigali in Rwanda to Rushaga gorilla sector for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes about 4-5 hours. This is a relatively short distance that blesses visitors with epic scenic views of the surrounding environment, like Kabale town, which is the best stopover point for an en route lunch before proceeding to the Rushaga gorilla sector. The border crossing in Uganda from Rwanda is done at the Katuna border point, a popular and busy border post. Visitors, while at the border, can witness the trading activities of the people on both sides of these two countries.

The Katuna border is one of the most popular border posts for visitors accessing both Rwanda and Uganda. The endless Virunga ranges decorate the horizon with their misty and tropical sights, blessing the journey with unimaginable beauty. Narrowing around the Kigezi highlands, where skill meets innovation, visitors are impressed with the vast Kigezi terraced hills carved by the locals as a way of farming to prevent soil erosion. This entire journey to the Rushaga gorilla sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking from Kigali in Rwanda is a whole new experience.

What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is the process of navigating or traversing the dense tropical mountain forest canopies in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Visitors are guided by experienced ranger guides who lead them straight to the natural habitats of these primates. Visitors spend an hour in the presence of the mountain gorillas, though the trekking process can last long since these primates are ever moving under the dense tropical forests.

Rushaga gorilla sector is located in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is a popular gorilla trekking hotspot. This is because of the various gorilla families this gorilla sector hosts, thus attracting a wide range of visitors. The gorilla trekking experience in the Rushaga gorilla sector is reasonably tough since this sector is known for its relatively hilly and rugged terrain. This sector presents the perfect opportunity for visitors who would like a challenging adventure. The Rushaga gorilla sector has also improved infrastructure that supports the visitors in their gorilla trekking adventures by providing comfortable accommodation facilities and also improved roads. Adding to the excitement, the Rushaga gorilla sector also offers gorilla habituation adventures and is the only sector in the whole region offering this activity.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, other than the Rushaga gorilla sector, also hosts other sectors like Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo situated in the northern, western, and eastern regions of the park, respectively.

How much does it cost to trek gorillas in Rushaga from Kigali?

Gorilla trekking in Rushaga requires one to purchase a gorilla trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority through a trusted tour operator. A gorilla trekking permit grants you access to the Rushaga gorilla sector to trek mountain gorillas and encounter them in their natural habitats. The costs of gorilla trekking permits vary by nationality and the region the visitor originates from. A gorilla permit for a foreign non-resident goes for USD 800, a foreign resident USD 700, and an East African citizen gorilla permits at UGX 300,000. This money collected from the sale of gorilla trekking permits is used to fund the conservation efforts of the endangered mountain gorillas. A percentage of the permit fees also goes to the development of the neighboring communities to Bwindi as a way of supporting the community and showing them how they benefit from the park.

What is the best season for trekking gorillas in Rushaga from Kigali, Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking is an outdoor physical activity, thus is best done in the dry season. This is because this season presents the best conditions for gorilla trekking with humid temperatures and low rainfall patterns. This dry weather ensures that the entire Rushaga gorilla sector is kept dry, with the trails making them easily navigable. The vegetation in the gorilla sector is also kept in check and not overgrown, thus improving visibility of the mountain gorillas. The dry season takes place between June, July, August, December, and February.

Although the dry season is the best season for gorilla trekking in Rushaga, the wet season is also not a bad season to trek gorillas, as it also has some advantages. With cool temperatures in Rushaga during the wet season, the mountain gorillas are left rounded up in small groups for warmth. This, therefore, helps visitors not to traverse the dense forest for long since the gorillas do move much during this period. The overgrown green vegetation in the Rushaga gorilla sector in the wet season adds a touch of scenic beauty, perfect for photography.

What to pack for gorilla trekking in Rushaga from Kigali, Rwanda?

A favourable trekking gear presents the best chance for a successful gorilla trekking experience in the Rushaga gorilla sector from Kigali, Rwanda, as it prepares visitors for both seasons. This gear includes a variety of items, from the essential ones to the basic ones. This packing gear includes several items, including the following.

Rain jacket
Hiking boots
First aid box
Travel documents
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Long-sleeved shirts
Energy-giving snacks
Reusable water bottle with enough water
Camera with extra batteries
Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, etc.

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

We went on a two-week trip with my family, organised by Coleb from Standard Safaris.

I had my concerns about organised trips, but this one didn’t justify any of those. Everything went very smoothly, even when some problems arose with one of the cars it got fixed by next morning, the accomodations were clean and comfortable, the programs were exciting and well-balanced - everything was done to a truly high standard.

If you plan to visit Uganda and are looking for a guide, I warmly recommend Coleb and his team. In case you have a choice of drivers, go for Godwin, his presence made this trip even more enjoyable - cheerful, helpful, good sense of humour, generally a great person. Just look for the guy with a big smile and big heart:)

Bert Simoens

09:38 08 Jan 24

We recently embarked on a safari adventure with Standard Safaris in Uganda, which was truly exceptional. Our guide, Yonah, was outstanding - his kindness, knowledge, and discretion significantly enhanced our experience. He was the heart of our trip.

The local company's planning was offering a tailor-made journey that matched our interests. We saw an array of wildlife in Murchison, enjoyed rafting at Jinja, and experienced mountain biking at Sipi. A visit to Kidepo National Park was a highlight and comes highly recommended.

The vehicle provided was comfortable and reliable. We highly recommend Standard Safaris for anyone seeking an unforgettable safari in Uganda. Their professionalism and the exceptional guidance of staff like Yonah make them an great choice.

Michał Kostrzewa

00:41 15 Nov 23

We are all extremely grateful Standard Safaris for an incredible East Africa experience. I recently booked a custom trip for group of 8 people, including an 8-year-old boy, from Kampala through Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Rwanda and Burundi. Coleb delivered on everything that was discussed and agreed upon beforehand.

The car provided was in great condition and our driver Meddy went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and had the best possible time. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. All local services were inlcuded in (reasonable) price that we agreed, so there was no need to worry about payments during the 6 day trip. Also Standard Safaris agreed took care about safety and security by helping us organize armed ranger while in the park.

The whole trip was hassle-free and smooth. We saw amazing wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP, took in the sights of Rwanda and Burundi, and made lifelong memories.

I would happily book with Standard Safaris again in a heartbeat and recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone looking for the best East Africa trip. They provide top-notch service while ensuring you have an incredible, customized experience. If you want a hassle-free, flawlessly organized African adventure, Standard Safaris is the tour operator to book with.

Ivan Nammanda

18:31 27 Oct 23

Very organized travel operator who chose awesome guide to make our trip wonderful.

We booked a nine days trip with Standard Safaris and all was perfect from start to finish. Coleb was very prompt at replying and easy to liaise with ahead of the trip. We had done a lot of research and had an itinerary in mind and Coleb helped us to put everything together to make this happen for a very reasonable price.  On the trip we had a private vehicle for the whole tour which was exactly what we wanted. Bryan was our driver and an amazing guide - really friendly and knowledgable, working hard to find the things that we wanted to see and quickly understanding what was of interest to us/how much information to give.

Would highly recommend a trip to Uganda with Standard Safaris. We are definitely coming back soon!

MUGAIGA KENNETH

18:01 27 Oct 23

The company has very courteous tour guides with wide knowledge of fauna and frola in the whole of East Africa.
The choice of safari Lodges is good with first class treatment.
Game drive security is assured.
Almost The whole of September I was traversing through DRC, Uganda,and Rwanda on a gorilla tour and wildlife expedition.
Everything was arranged and booked perfectly by Standard Safaris.
The owner, Coleb was always helpful whenever we needed to ask questions about this gorilla safari in Uganda and beyond.
It was a complex expedition but Standard safaris and Coleb made it look amazingly easy.
I’ll recommend Standard safaris 200%, for all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and wildlife tours in east africa.

travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

This is so far the best gorilla trekking company in Uganda, and africa, by far. I had a wonderful time with Standard Safaris as a solo traveler.
My guide was excellent and our safari planner, Coleb was quick with responses and the prices were very friendly.
I’ll definitely book with Standard safaris on my next gorilla tour in Rwanda and Uganda.

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