Buhoma Sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The Buhoma sector is one of the 4 gorilla trekking regions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, and Kanungu. The park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas and one of the large and powerful primates. Mountain gorillas are primates that share over 98% of the DNA. They live in highland forested areas of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park is divided into four sectors. These include; the Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Buhoma sectors.

The Buhoma sector is located in the northern region of the park. The Buhoma sector is found in the Kanungu district. This sector is near the Queen Elizabeth National Park where travelers on Uganda safaris can easily visit the park. While in this sector travelers will experience the gorilla trekking. This is the oldest sector of the park where the gorilla trekking was started. In this sector, it’s where the trails of gorilla habituation and gorilla trekking were first done. This is the sector to is more popular for travelers. Gorilla trekking is the primary activity in this region where travelers track habituated gorilla families that are within the park. While in this park, there are several gorilla families that travelers track during the gorilla trekking safaris in the Buhoma sector.

Gorilla families in Buhoma Sector

There are five habituated families of mountain gorillas in the Buhoma sector. These families are available each day for gorilla trekking. Mountain gorilla groups in the Buhoma Sector include;

Mubare gorilla family

Mubare family was opened for the gorilla trekking in 1993 and it is the oldest family in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi. This family traces its name from Mubare Hill where the family was first located. During the time of habituation, the family comprised 12 members and was led by Ruhondeza Silverback. This silverback died due to old age. The family comprises currently 9 members led by the famous silverback Malaya.

Katwe gorilla family

Katwe family was set for the gorilla trekking in 2018. The habituation process of this family came after the high demand for gorilla permits in Uganda. The family comprises 9 members. More so, the name of this family came from the place where they were first habituated.

Rushegura gorilla family

Broke off from the Habiyanja gorilla family in 2002. The family left with the dominant male Mwirima who left with 8 of the members. The family currently consists of 19 members. This family used to cross to the Democratic Republic of Congo and now they fully settled into the country.

Habiyanja gorilla family

The family was the second habituated family in Uganda set for gorilla trekking in 1996. During the habituation time, 25 members were under the leadership of Mugurusi who also died due to old age. When the successions started in the family between the Mwirima, Makara, and Rwansigazi silver backs. Then in 2002, the family broke off forming Rushegura.

Muyambi gorilla family

Muyambi gorilla group was opened for gorilla trekking with 6 members in 2019. The group separated from the Mubare family due to the disputes of leadership. This is one of the best mountain gorilla families in the Buhoma Sector.

Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in the Buhoma Sector

Gorilla trekking is one of the vulnerable activities that travelers need to follow the procedures to have a successful gorilla trekking.

Travelers are supposed to have the gorilla trekking permit which costs about 800 dollars.
No littering in the park
Travelers need to keep time for the gorilla trekking since it starts early in the morning.
A group of 8 people are allowed to visit each gorilla family per day.
The viewing of the gorillas lasts for 1 hour while maintaining a social distance of 7 meters.
There is no use of flash cameras while capturing the moments of the mountain gorillas.
Travelers are supposed to wear face masks and neutral-colored clothing.
Travelers are supposed to keep low tones of communication to avoid stressing the gorillas.

What is the cost of the gorilla trekking permit in the Buhoma Sector?

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is sold to only licensed tour operators and the travelers are supposed to share a copy of their passport or identification card. The gorilla trekking permit costs about 800 dollars for the foreign nonresident, 700 dollars for the foreign residents, 500 dollars for the rest of Africa, and 300000 Ugandan shillings for the east African citizens.

How to access the Buhoma sector for the gorilla trekking?

The sector can be accessed by both air and road transport. While using air transport, travelers will use a scheduled chartered flight from Kajjansi airstrip and Entebbe International Airport. These flights go to the Kihihi airstrip which is one hour to the sector and the other airstrip is the Kisoro airstrip which 3 hours to the sector. While using the road, the travelers will take about 8 to 9 hours from Kampala to the park, and from Kigali to Buhoma is about 5 hours.

Where to stay in the Buhoma Sector?

Accommodation facilities in the Buhoma Sector are one the best places to stay on a Uganda mountain gorilla trekking safari. These safari lodges range from budget to mid-range and luxury. All the lodges are strategically located and they provide a tranquil stay. They have amenities that enhance comfort during your gorilla trekking tour in the Buhoma sector. Some of the lodges in the Buhoma sector include; Ride 4 a Woman Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Gorilla Camp, Ruhondeza Lodge and Campsite, Engagi Lodge, and many more. Book your accommodation in Buhoma now and create everlasting memories.

What is the best time to do gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector?

The Buhoma sector is open for travelers any time of the year including weekends and public holidays. If you are planning to visit this sector, the best time is entirely in your hands. However, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a rainforest comprising thick impenetrable bushes. The terrain is also rugged and may be difficult to walk through especially if one is not physically fit during the wet seasons (March to May and October to November). This is why the dry seasons (June to September and December to February) are usually considered the best time to visit Bwindi (Buhoma sector) for mountain gorilla trekking. On the other hand, visiting the Buhoma sector during low or wet seasons is budget-friendly. This is because accommodation prices are always lower than the ones for high or dry seasons.

Now that you have understood the hidden treasures of the Buhoma sector, book your gorilla trekking safari now and create everlasting memories.