Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector; Buhoma sector is one of the four gorilla trekking sectors located in northern part on Bwindi impenetrable national park in Kanungu district. Buhoma sector is the most popular sector for gorilla trekking due to the fact that it is the first sector to be open for gorilla trekking in 1993 and it harbors the oldest habituated gorilla family called Mubare family. The family has 9 members and is led by a dominant silverback Maraya. Buhoma sector has other 4 habituated gorilla family namely Habinyanja, Rushegura, Katwe, and Binyindo gorilla families which are open for trekking on a daily basis.
Gorilla tracking starts very early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be sub-divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide who is well conversant with different trails.
Trekking of mountain gorillas in Buhoma sector takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, different bird species, tree species among others and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, lifestyle, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, grooming young, take photos and record videos.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking safari in Buhoma sector
Tracking can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season which is also known as the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the park therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery and which make trekking difficult.
How to get to Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
When using air transport means, you will book scheduled or charter flights with bar aviation or Aero link Uganda limited from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip and then connect to Buhoma sector by road.
When using road transport means, you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to Buhoma sector which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
You can also access Buhoma sector from Queen Elizabeth national park through Ishasha sector which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive and from Kigali Rwanda via Katuna border which takes about 4 to 5 hour drive.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Buhoma sector
Gorilla trekking permits are legal cards which are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit any habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with the gorillas in their environment. A gorilla trekking permit in Buhoam sector costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book gorilla trekking permits in Buhoma sector
Gorilla trekking permits in Buhoma sector can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the head offices in Kampala through email or telephone calls inquiring about permit availability.
Gorilla trekking permits in Buhoma sector can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where by you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to visit the mountain gorillas. After contacting us we will check for permit availability on your desired dates and if there are permits available on your dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permits. Once we receive the money, we will acquire the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Buhoma sector
There are a number of accommodation facilities in Buhoma sector where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Buhoma lodge, Bwindi view Bandas, Silverback lodge, Buhoma haven lodge, Engagi lodge, Sanctuary gorilla forest camp, Mahogany springs lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi lodge, Buhoma community rest camp, Buhoma gorilla camp among others.
Other activities in Buhoma sector
Apart from Gorilla trekking, Buhoma sector offers other interesting activities that you can engage in after gorilla trekking including Cultural tour where you will be able to interact with the Batwa or pygmies who sued to live in the forest before it was gazetted into a national park, bird watching where you will be able to view variety of bird species, nature walks among others.
Its an exceptional activity that can be combined with lion tracking experience, game drive, boat cruise on Kazinga channel among others. For more information about gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for affordable Uganda safari packages.
