Gorilla Trekking

Are you looking at doing gorilla trekking in the different regions of Bwindi, Ruhija sector is one of the best regions to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi, the sector which is located in the North-Eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park; this sector can be accessed from Kabale, Buhoma and Queen Elizabeth National park.

Like other sectors of Bwindi Forest National park including Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south and Buhoma in the North. The chances of seeing the gorillas in Ruhija and Bwindi is 98% since it has half of the world’s population of these great endangered apes, you will have an amazing experience with the gorillas in Uganda.

About Ruhija and Bwindi impenetrable National Park:

Bwindi Forest National Park is located in the south western part of Uganda sharing border with Congo. It is one of the only two national parks in Uganda where you can trek and see the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat in the world. It is home to more than half of the only remaining Mountain Gorillas in the wild making it famous and best place to trek the Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Forest National park is divided into different sections/sectors where you can do the Gorilla tracking experience and Ruhija region is among the major sectors of the Park.

Gorilla trekking in Ruhija Region:

Gorilla trekking in Ruhija region is one of the best activities to do in the region, Gorilla tracking refers to moving in the forest to see/view a given habituated mountain gorilla family. Gorilla trackers/advanced team/rangers use many signs and methods to trace these gorillas before gorilla trekking takes place, the trackers wakeup very early every morning and go to the forest in search for these mountain gorillas. They use natural means to track them like clapping, making wild sounds. Once they find them, then they will communicate to the park headquarters and it’s then the guides after briefing the visitors on dos and don’ts, they will start to walk and trek in the forest as they are directed by the trackers. This gives you 99% chances of seeing the gorillas in their natural environment in Uganda.

The advantage of Gorilla Trekking in Ruhija sector Bwindi Forest National park is its terrain which is not too hilly and steep compared to Rushaga and Nkuringo in Bwindi Forest National Park. This makes it a perfect place for aged travellers as well the less fit travellers. Ruhija as well has a variety of Budget Lodges that are affordable to stay at for accommodation and Camping groups during your Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National park, making it easier for travellers most of these accommodations are very close to the starting point of Gorilla trekking at Ruhija sector in Bwindi Forest National Park. As well when you decide to do the trek in Ruhija sector apart from Gorilla Trekking, there are many other activities you can do apart from Gorilla trekking including Birding tours, Nature walk, Primate Walk and Batwa Cultural walk experience which are all pocket friendly.

Gorilla Families in Ruhija Region of Bwindi Forest National Park.

Ruhija region has different habituated gorilla families open for gorilla tracking experience, each gorilla family has different gorilla individuals, and each gorilla family is headed and controlled by the dominant male gorilla the Silverback, a gorilla family is made up of approximately 18 individuals. For you to go on the trek, you are required to have a Gorilla permit valid for trekking that day. Gorilla permits are limited in number per day given it is only 8 people allowed to trek per gorilla family per day in Bwindi Forest National Park. Ruhija sector has four Gorilla Families that is Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mukiza and Kyaguriro all families are open for Gorilla tracking however for you to secure a spot for trekking you will need to book in advance

What is the price of the gorilla trekking permit in Ruhija Region?

Ruhija has 32 permits available per day for trekking in Ruhija region, the price of the gorilla trekking permits for Ruhija is the same for all sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga National Park.

The gorilla trekking permit costs:

USD 700 per person for Non-Foreign Residents,
USD 600 for Foreign Residents,
and Shs.250, 000 for East African Citizens.

The trekking permit only allows one hour of viewing of the gorillas though it is such a lifetime experience to encounter with the gorillas.

The gorilla trekking permits normally sell out so very quickly during the high season (January, February, July, August, September, and December every year. Contact Gorilla Mist Camp about your planned trek and desired dates, we shall check the availability of permits online system for Uganda Wildlife Authority and if permits are available in Ruhija, we shall send you an invoice to make payment for the permits as they are top priority and if they are not available, you will choose other dates that have the availability of permits. Once we receive payment, we shall book and secure your permits and send you copy of the receipt with booking ID to confirm your trek. The process of acquiring the gorilla permits is easy and Uganda will surely give you a lifetime experience with the gorillas.

How to get to Ruhija sector Bwindi Forest National park

Ruhija sector can be accessed by road transport from Kampala or Entebbe which is 8-9 hours’ drive with stops at the equator and for lunch and the journey is very enjoyable for there is a lot to see on the road. You can as well drive to Ruhija region from Kigali Rwanda which is approximately 4-5hours drive through the Uganda-Rwanda boarder at Katuna. You will drive through Kabale Town for Lunch and then proceed to Ruhija for your gorilla trip. By Air transport you can get to Ruhija sector with a domestic flight to Kihihi Airstrip located in Kanungu district which is 2 hour for both flight and drive to the Park.