All four gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is a thrilling adventure that allows you to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is the most carried out or done activity when tourists embark on Uganda safaris, tours, or trips. Mountain gorillas can only be found in four national parks in the whole world which are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Of the four national parks, Uganda has two of them which are Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is remarkably the best destination for one to do mountain gorilla trekking. The forest is named after its’ thick trees that form a canopy that blocks sunlight from penetrating the trees inside or on the ground. Bwindi impenetrable has 17 habituated gorilla groups.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed either by road or by air. You can use an aircraft from Entebbe – Kajjansi to Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip, the flight is about 1 hour – 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can also access the park using road transport via Kampala- Masaka- Mbarara – Kabale road driving for 8-10 hours. Both ways are rewarding. On the other hand, Bwindi can be accessed by road from Kigali International Airport – Rwanda. This drive takes about 3 hours via the Gatuna border. This is why gorilla trekking in Uganda from Rwanda has become popular lately.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is done very early in the morning. Tourists have to wake up very early in the morning at around 5 am prepare themselves and have breakfast because gorilla trekking begins at 7:30 am. Gorilla trekking always begins with a briefing where the dos and don’ts are told to you. From there, trekkers are divided into 8 groups led by different guides to trek different gorilla families.
Gorilla trekking takes about 2-8 hours and on finding gorilla families, you are given not more than an hour to be in their presence. During this period, you will get to realize that though endangered, these creatures are gentle giants indeed. You will get to see them play around, eat tree shoots, curry their babies, to mention but a few. You can also take flash-less photos during this period.
How many Gorilla trekking sectors does Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four gorilla trekking sectors, as follows below is detailed information about all four sectors;
Buhoma sector
Located in the northern part of Bwindi, Buhoma is the closest sector to trek gorillas from those coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha sector. Buhoma sector has about 4 habituated gorilla groups which are Mubare, Habiyanja, Rushegura, and Katwe. Buhoma sector is about 540 km (335 miles) away from Kampala which is about an 8-10 hrs drive.
Different activities are done in the Buhoma sector which includes gorilla trekking, guided forest walks, bird watching, and community visits. Accommodations in the Buhoma sector vary from luxury to budget. Luxury lodges include Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, and Gorilla Forest Camp. Mid-range includes Silverback Lodge, Bwindi Guest House, and Engagi Lodge. Budget lodges include Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Conservation Camp, and Ruhija Gorilla Lodge. Prices of accommodation facilities differ depending on the type of room needed and the season of visit.
 Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi and happens to have the highest number of habituated gorilla families which are 5 in total. Gorilla families found there include Rushaga, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, and Busingye. Rushaga sector is approximately 550 km (342 miles) away from Kampala which is about a 8-9 hour drive. Rushaga sector also has accommodation facilities ranging from luxury to budget, and luxury lodges include Rushaga Gorilla Lodge and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge. Mid-range facilities include Nshongi Camp and Gorilla Valley Lodge. For budget accommodation facilities include Rushaga Gorilla Camp where all rooms and tents are very much comfortable. Price ranges vary from the season of visit and the type of room needed.
Ruhija Sector
Situated in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Ruhija is known for its lush forests and diverse wildlife. Ruhija is a popular starting point for gorilla trekking expeditions, offering visitors the chance to encounter the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This sector is renowned for its stunning scenery, with mist-covered mountains, dense forests, and a rich array of flora and fauna creating a picturesque setting for nature enthusiasts.
Additionally, birdwatchers flock to Ruhija to spot a variety of bird species, including the African green broadbill, handsome francolin, and the endemic African green broadbill. Compared to other sectors in Bwindi, Ruhija is known for its peaceful ambiance and lesser tourist footfall, offering a more intimate and secluded gorilla trekking experience. More so, Ruhija provides opportunities for visitors to engage with local communities, offering cultural experiences and insights into the traditions and daily lives of the people living around the park. Explore the beauty and biodiversity of the Ruhija sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where gorilla encounters, birdwatching excursions, and immersive nature experiences await in this pristine wilderness.
Nkuringo sector
Nkuringo sector is located in the southwest part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Nkuringo sector is mostly taken by tourists who love challenges and adventure since it is filled with a lot of challenging terrain. Though a lot of challenges are faced by tourists while trekking gorillas, trekking along this sector is fun. Nkuringo sector has only 2 habituated gorilla families that are trekked by tourists which are Nkuringo family and Christmas family.
Nkuringo sector is approximately 600km (373 miles) away from Kampala which is about a 10-12 hours drive. Accommodation facilities in the Nkuringo sector range from luxury to budget. Luxury accommodation facilities include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Mid-range includes Nkuringo Gorilla camp, and Nkuringo Safari Lodge. Budget accommodation facilities include Nkuringo Community Campsite and Nkuringo Rest Camp.
What activities are done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Apart from chimpanzee trekking, other activities can be done when you visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some of these activities include,
Primate watching
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage due to its diversity in nature. This means that apart from mountain gorillas, other animals can be spotted in this forest. Some of the animals or primates that can be seen in Bwindi forest include chimpanzees which can also be trekked, and black and white-tailed colobus monkeys which can be spotted in the canopies of Bwindi forest. Blue monkeys which are not common but can be seen, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, and many others.
Visiting Batwa pygmies
Batwa people are believed to have been the first to stay in Bwindi forest but they were forced to resettle outside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Visiting the Batwa community is the best way to learn about their cultural ways of life. And get involved in some of their daily life activities hence getting to know them better. On visiting expect to see them perform their traditional dances. And listen to stories about how they used to live in the Bwindi forest.
Wildlife spotting
Gorillas being the highlight attraction in Bwindi forest, you can also spot other wild animals though on rare occasions. Some of these wild animals include forest elephants, bats, leopards, jackals, forest duikers, and giant forest hogs. Apart from wild spotting, you can also do bird spotting since Bwindi forest is also home to different bird species which include, Rwenzori nightjar, black-billed turaco, etc. Also, butterflies can be spotted since many species are found there.
Cultural activities
You can also go ahead and do forest walks or nature walks, village visits, visit local homes to see the daily activities of local people, and engage in some of them if interested. Doing this will help you learn more about the way of life of the local people. You can also visit craft villages and buy some crafts hence supporting local communities and keeping them as souvenirs. To mention but a few, there are many other activities apart from the ones mentioned above that one can do when you choose to go for a Bwindi Safari or tour.
In conclusion, all the gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi have their unique advantages, and the choice of which sector to visit depends on your personal preferences, physical ability, and interests.
