Buhoma sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Buhoma sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Buhoma sector is the most visited gorilla destination located in northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of the destinations in Africa harboring the endangered mountain gorillas. The national park is located in southwestern Uganda and it’s famously known for harboring half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Buhoma sector is one of the four sectors in the park which harbor the habituated gorilla families. Other sectors include Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija sector.
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector
Gorilla trekking is an activity where you will move into the dense tropical forests in search of the habituated gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector is done on 4 habituated Gorilla groups namely
Mubare gorilla family, this was the first gorilla family to be habituated in Bwindi impenetrable national park in 1991 and opened 2 years after. Mubare gorilla group was named after Mubare hills where it was first sighted by trackers. At the time of habituation the group had only 12 members including one dominant silverback Ruhondeza which later died after a fight with a black back in 2013. The gorilla group is now comprised of 9 members.
Habinyanja gorilla family, the gorilla group derives its name from a Rukiga word Nyanja which means a water pond where it was forest sighted by the trackers. Habinyanja gorilla family was habituated in 1997 and opened for trekking in 1999. After habituation the gorilla group had 30 individuals including the dominant silverback Mugurusi. The gorilla group had leadership fights after the death of Mugurusi when it was led by two brothers Rwansigazi and Mwirima but later they separated and Mwirima formed his own gorilla group called Rushegura. Rwansigazi remained with Habinyanja group and it’s now comprised of 18 members with 2 silverbacks.
Rushegura gorilla family, the gorilla group split from Habinyanja gorilla family in 2002 under the leadership of Mwirima who left with 8 members. Rushegura gorilla family is now dominated by Kabukojo silverback after the death of Mwirima in 2014 and the group is comprised of 16 members.
Katwe gorilla family, this is one of the newest habituated gorilla families in Buhoma sector for trekking. Katwe gorilla group is comprised of 7 individuals including 1 silverback, 4 adult females and 2 babies.
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector starts in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters about the expectations, rules and regulations. After the briefing you will be grouped into 8 people an allocated a gorilla group to trek. Allocation of gorilla families is based on age, physical fitness, personal preferences among others therefore visitors who are not physically fit will be allocated a gorilla family that is near to trek. At around 8:00am, you will start trekking in the jungle with a park guide who will be sharing information about the mountain gorillas and showing you the trails to follow which will lead you to the mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector takes about 2 to 6 hours hiking in the jungle and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will spend one hour with them in their natural habitat taking photos, recording the moments, watching them carry out their daily activities like feeding, learning more about their lifestyle, behaviors, habits among others.
Buhoma sector is a home of 4 habituated gorilla families which means that there are about 32 gorilla trekking permits available on daily basis for visitors. Travelers interested in trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in Buhoma sector should book a gorilla trekking permit in advance before the trekking date because Buhoma is the most visited gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park therefore the permits are competitive and get sold out quickly.
A gorilla trekking permit in Buhoma sector, Bwindi impenetrable national park costs $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. However the gorilla trekking permit was increased by $100 effective 1st July 2020 therefore foreign non-residents will be paying $700 and $600 for foreign residents. Booking a gorilla trekking permit in Buhoma sector can either be done directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris.
Reasons for trekking gorillas in Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector is a home of four habituated gorilla families and gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park was first introduced in Buhoma sector in1993.
Buhoma sector is the only destination for gorilla trekking which harbors the first gorilla group to be open for trekking Mubare gorilla family which was habituated in 1991 and after 2 years opened for visitors.
Buhoma sector is easily accessed from different areas for example its easily accessed by visitors from Queen Elizabeth national park where you will drive from Mweya peninsular via Ishasha sector and then to Buhoma sector which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive. Buhoma sector can also be easily accessed from Kampala and when using air transport means.
Buhoma sector has favorable terrain therefore trekking the mountain gorillas is not strenuous compared to other sectors like Rushaga and Nkuringo where you hike in steep slopes. Visitors trekking gorillas in Buhoma sector will not take a lot of time looking for the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Buhoma sector also a wide range of luxury, midrange and budget accommodation facilities where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari which makes it the best destination to visit while in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Buhoma sector is the best destination for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park in that it offers other activities which visitors can participate in after gorilla trekking such as
Forest walk, this is an interesting and adventurous activity where visitors get an opportunity of exploring the park on foot as they enjoy beautiful scenery, breath fresh air, relax in the cool environment, have great views of the animals, birds, plant species among others
Community tour, this is an activity where you will have a face to face interaction with the local people who live around the park for example the Batwa/pygmies and the Bakiga. During the community tour, you will visit local peoples projects such as bee-keeping, weaving, craft making, learn more about their culture, lifestyle and be entertained through performances such as traditional dances, songs, storytelling among others.
Best time to visit Buhoma sector for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February. The dry season is also known as the peak season and visitors prefer travelling in the dry season because during this period there is less rainfall in the forest therefore gorilla trekking trails in the jungle and access roads to Buhoma sector will be passable compared to the rainy season when the sector receives heavy rainfall which makes the gorilla trekking trails muddy and slippery hence making gorilla trekking difficult.
Where to stay on your gorilla trekking safari in Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector harbors a wide range of up-market, midrange and budget accommodation facilities where visitor on a gorilla trekking safari can stay including Lake Kitandara Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Community Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Volcanoes Safari Bwindi Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Mahogany Springs Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Jungle View Lodge, Gorilla Friends Lodge, Haven Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp, Bwindi Guest House among others.
How to get to Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and can be accessed by road and air transport means
Air transport, when using air transport you will book a flight ticket with domestic companies like Aerolink Uganda limited a company which operates scheduled and chartered flight daily from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip.
Road transport, when using road transport you can either use a safari vehicle public means or self-drive to Buhoma in Bwindi impenetrable national park. You will drive from Kampala via Mbarara, Kabale, and then Buhoma sector which take about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
Buhoma sector can also be accessed from Queen Elizabeth national park where you will drive from Mweya peninsular to Buhoma sector via Ishasha sector where you will have an opportunity of viewing the tree climbing lions. The jouney from Queen Elizabeth national park takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.
