In the innermost parts of the Ruhija sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is where the Kyaguriro Gorilla Family mostly lives. Habituation of the Kyaguriro group started in 1995, and since then, it has been dedicated to research by the Max Planck Institute. Currently, the Kyaguriro Gorilla Family is under the leadership of Kasoni, a dominant silverback. His family is composed of 6 members, including himself, 4 blackbacks, and an infant.
The Kyaguriro Gorilla Family was previously known as Rukara. However, before this happened, some interesting events happened to this group. In 2015, the lead silverback Rukina died due to a lightning strike. This left the group under the leadership of Mukiza, who was an inexperienced silverback by then. In 2016, an immigrating silverback from the Bitukura Group attacked Mukiza. He is known as Rukara.
This resulted in a split of the group, one led by Mukiza and the other by Rukara. Recently, the group led by Rukara also split up into 2 with him taking some members, while Kasoni remained with 4 members. The latter is the Kyaguriro Gorilla Family. Other gorilla families in the Ruhija tourism sector include Oruzogo, Mukiza, and Bitukura. The sector has the least number of habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The cost of gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector
The entire cost of trekking gorillas in Ruhija is covered by a gorilla permit. All legitimate gorilla permits are issued and sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Payments to buy a gorilla permit can be made directly through reputable tour operators, including Standard Safaris. The permit includes the cost for professional guiding in Ruhija, park entrance fees for trekking day, and contributions to community development. Below are the rates of gorilla permits by UWA,
- Foreign non-resident: USD 800 per person
- Rest of Africa: USD 500 per person
- Foreign resident: USD 700 per person
- East African Community: UGX 300,000 per person
How to get to the Ruhija Sector?
Either road or air transport can be utilized for a transfer to the Ruhija Sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. If you desire to travel to Ruhija by road, you will cover a distance of roughly 462 kilometers from Kampala. This journey passes on the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale routes. The time taken while in a 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser is approximately 10 hours. We offer alternative vehicles like safari vans, minibuses, buses, and sedans, among others, if you want.
A knowledgeable driver will also be provided to ensure your scenic travel experience is both fun, safe, and insightful. Air transfer is an alternative if your desire for travel includes the need for aerial views of Uganda. This is a luxury mode of transportation where you can board a direct flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip. Flight time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. From the airport, you will drive to Ruhija, which is about 75 kilometers north by road.
When to travel to see the Kyaguriro Gorilla Family?
A habituated gorilla family in the Ruhija sector can be seen in the jungle on any day of the year, without exception. Whether you choose to travel there during the dry season or the wet season, the decision is entirely yours. During the dry season, the weather provides you with suitable conditions for trekking, plus dry gorilla trails and less dense vegetation cover. These make viewing the habituated gorilla family in the forest much clearer.
The wet season is an ideal time for visitors who prefer trekking with gorillas in periods of heavy rainfall. These cause the jungle to be lush and vibrant. The gorilla trails are, however, slippery and muddy, thus making the gorilla trek more thrilling and challenging. Fortunately, during the wet season, visitors are fewer, thus offering quiet moments during the gorilla treks. This is a nice time for solo travelers to enjoy intimate encounters with the habituated gorilla family.
What to pack?
While planning for a gorilla trek in Ruhija, it is important to pack appropriately. Keep in mind that the terrain might be muddy, slippery, and steep. Therefore, a pair of waterproof hiking boots is essential for comfort and grip. In a jungle like this, expect to find thorns and biting/stinging insects. Therefore, a long-sleeved shirt/blouse is necessary for covering your body. A pair of trousers is also needed for this. You need gaiters to protect your shoes and legs from water, mud, and insects, etc.
With huge possibilities of sudden showers, you will need light rain jackets to help you avoid getting wet. You will need to shield your face, eyes, and neck from direct sunlight by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. A waterproof backpack is also necessary since you will have to move with other requirements. These include insect repellent, suncream, a first aid kit, a refillable water bottle, hand sanitizer, energy snacks, and others. You also need trekking poles, trekking gloves, and gardening gloves, etc.
