Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma Sector Bwindi from Kigali: Buhoma area, located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is one of the four most fantastic tracking places that you should not miss when on mountain gorilla excursions in Uganda. When it comes to mountain gorilla activities, this place is most well-known as the oldest trailhead in Uganda.
This industry is a pioneer of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest and Uganda in general. When the Mubare gorilla family was allowed for monitoring in 1993, the area hosted the first party of gorilla hikers. Rushegura, Mubare, and Habinyanja gorilla families are known to track in this region.
Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma Sector Bwindi from Kigali.
Other walks have been constructed in this region, such as the Munyaga River Trails in the Buhoma Valley, which is a short walk for watching birds and primates along the forest edge. The waterfall walk winds through tree ferns, epiphytic ferns, and orchids to three stunning waterfalls. The Rushura Hill Trail, Muzabajiro Loop Trail, and the River Ivi Trail, the latter of which follows an old road into the forest, emerging near Nkuringo on the impenetrable forest’s southern boundary.
The local community organizes the Buhoma community tour and cultural performances, which last up to three hours and include visits to a typical household, a traditional healer, and a banana beer brewery. The Batwa cultural experience has just been established in this portion of the park.
It is extremely simple to go gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector. The route passes via Ntungamo and Rukungiri before connecting with Butogota and, finally, Buhoma.
The lodging options range from the luxurious Mahogany Springs Lodge or Buhoma Lodge to the mid-range Buhoma Haven Lodge to the budget Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
Gorilla Families in Buhoma Sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Buhoma is the primary sector for tourism activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Buhoma trailhead is responsible for three of the twelve habituated that Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is proud of. The Mubare, which got its first trekkers in October 1993, is one of the most famous gorilla families in Buhoma sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
The following habituated gorilla groups may be found in the Buhoma sector:
Mubare Gorilla Group/Family
This is also known as the M-group, and it is one of the oldest gorilla groups that was habituated in 1991. Visitors began tracking the Mubare gorilla group in 1993. The majestic Mubare hills inspired the name of this group. This gang began with twelve family members, but after its leader Ruhondeza died, just five survived. Mubare gorilla group was joined by four more mountain gorillas in 2013, bringing the total number of family members to nine, including one silverback, one black back, one adult female, and two youngsters. This gang consisted of nine people and was subsequently commanded by Kanyonyi silverback and Kashundwe as an infant.
This amazing gorilla group is a little easier to track, but this is not assured because the route fluctuates. The mountain gorillas in this group used to dwell closer to the Buhoma park headquarters, but tourists can now spend more than five hours tracing the family. Visitors to the Mubare gorilla family have an advantage since they can monitor mountain gorillas within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park’s Buhoma trail head.
Habinyanja Gorilla Family
This gorilla family, commonly known as the H-group, was one of the first to be habituated at the Buhoma trailhead. Habinyanja gorilla group was habituated in 1997 specifically for gorilla trekking and was successfully visited by tourists in 1999. For many years, this group has drawn thousands of people from all around the world. Visitors spend the entire day, or around 5 hours and more, tracking this group. The Habinyanja gorilla group consists of 18 individuals, the majority of whom are silverbacks, however these numbers fluctuate owing to newly born offspring. This group was discovered near a wetland in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, thus the name Habinyanja, which translates to Nyanja. It is vital to remember that mountain gorillas act similarly to humans in that they separate over time, and this applies to nearly all gorilla groups, Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma Sector Bwindi from Kigali
Rushegura Gorilla Group/ Family
This incredible group is sometimes referred to as the R-group. Rushegura is one of the most well-known bigger gorilla families, with 21 members including a silverback, a black back, five adult females, two sub adults, six youngsters, and six babies. This group was first habituated for gorilla tracking in 2000, and its first visitors arrived in 2002. This group is easier to track since its gorilla members prefer to dwell close to the park headquarters. Mountain gorillas of this group, on the other hand, prefer to roam as far as the Bwindi park boundary, which means that people may camp or remain in the region where they might see them the next morning.
For travelers interested in shorter treks, the Rushegura gorilla group is the ideal and large group for you to follow for less than five hours. This is not a guarantee for tourists because these species are known to venture outside of the park. The Rushegura gorilla family, like the other gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, is a split family of the Habinyanja gorilla family.
How to get to Buhoma Sector in Bwindi National Park.
The Buhoma sector in Bwindi national park is a full-day drive from Entebbe or Kampala city centres, 6 hours from Lake Mburo National Park, and 2 hours from Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is one of the most accessible regions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park due to its proximity to Queen Elizabeth National Park, particularly the southern region-Ishasha.
Alternatively, there are scheduled flights that arrive at Kihihi airstrip and then connect by automobile, which takes about one and a half hours depending on the condition of the road network. Charter flights to Kihihi depart from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield. Its ease of access makes it one of the greatest spots to visit during your next Uganda gorilla safari.
Visitors on safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park may easily connect to Ruhija, which is located on the park’s eastern edge. This implies that tourists from other places may still connect and follow gorilla families in Buhoma sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Travelers drive two hours from Buhoma to the Ruhija area. Tourists may also explore the Nkuringo region, which is located on the park’s southern edge and can be reached by walking from Buhoma in the midst of the forest. The Nkuringo safari walk track takes about 3 hours to complete, gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector
How to get to Buhoma Sector in Bwindi National Park from Kigali.
Buhoma sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park can be accessed from Kigali city in Rwanda. It takes approximately 6-7 hours via Katuna border with enroute lunch in Kabale. Arrive at your lodge in Buhoma sector in Bwindi national park and check into your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Aside from mountain gorilla trekking, Buhoma is also known for its interesting nature treks, which include a track that brings tourists up to three water falls, identifying most butterflies, birds, plants, and numerous primates, among other things. After your beautiful mountain gorilla experiences or Buhoma village stroll, you will be accompanied by one of the professional guides.