Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga Sector in Bwindi National Park: The Rushaga area lies in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is part of the Kisoro District and the Nkuringo Region. It is home to multiple gorilla families, including the Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, and Bweza.
The Rushaga region has the most gorilla families and is located between Kabale and Nkuringo, with visitors arriving from either Ruhija or Kampala. Because the terrain is dominated by steep hills, habituated gorilla groups have continued to separate and subdivide to take up different hills in the region.
Tourists trekking gorillas in Uganda from Rushaga have amazing panoramic views, and at some places, you can also see the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda and Uganda, which include Mgahinga, Muhavura, Sabinyo, Karisimbi, and Bisoke, among others. There is Lake Mutanda, one of only two lava-damaged lakes in Uganda. Before or after your gorilla hike, you may take a canoe ride on the lake.
Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga Sector in Bwindi National Park.
Rushaga is the best sector in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for mountain gorilla tracking, and it is also the only sector where tourists may participate in the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
Bweza Gorilla Family
There are just seven mountain gorillas in this group, including one silverback and two new-borns. The Bweza gorilla group is a splitter group of the Nshongi gorilla family, and it is the most varied and fascinating gorilla group to see on a safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Kahungye Gorilla Family
This group consists of 13 mountain gorillas and three silverbacks, with Rumanzi as the dominant silverback, followed by the other two male mountain gorillas, Rwigi and Ruhamuka. This group was ready for gorilla monitoring in 2011, however after just a year, the group split up, resulting in the formation of a new family known as the Busingye gorilla group. Prior to their breakup, the organization had 27 members, including three silverbacks.
Busingye Gorilla Family
This group consists of 9 mountain gorillas, including one silverback, three new-borns, two adults, and several young ones. In 2012, the Busingye gorilla group split from the Kahungye gorilla group. Busingye silverback was the one who chose to split away and start his own group. Busingye means “peace,” which is surprising given his ambitious silverback’s legendary battles with other gorilla families. He likes displaying his strength, and anytime he comes across a wild bunch, he viciously steals a female gorilla to add to his own.
Nshongi Gorilla Family
After the recent separation with the Mweza group, this is one of the largest habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This group used to have 36 gorillas, but it now has over 25 mountain gorillas, including a dominant silverback, two sub silverbacks, three black backs, six adult females, six youngsters, and three new-borns. This is one of the few gorilla groups with more than four silverbacks, and it is still commanded by Nshongi, the group’s youngest silverback. Surprisingly, all three silverbacks and seven silverbacks coexisted amicably, with no power struggles.
The Nshongi gorilla group was founded with much excitement, and celebrities from all over the world visited in 2009. In 2010, the Nshongi group split up, leaving just 26 mountain gorillas, while others formed their own groups, such as the Mishaya gorilla family. In 2013, the group separated again, reducing the number of gorillas to 18 and forming the current Bweza with ten gorillas. As the largest gorilla troop, visitors have a better opportunity of seeing other apes, forest birds, and butterflies.
Mishaya Gorilla Family
Due to disagreements with silverback Mishaya, this group broke from the Nshongi group in 2010. The silverback disappeared along with the other females, and the population now numbers over seven mountain gorillas and one silverback. Mishaya Silverback is a terrific warrior, and he managed to gather a large number of females, bringing the total to twelve, including three new-borns.
Mishaya is the only adult mountain gorilla known for fighting, and she frequently interacts with other mountain gorilla groups. However, owing to on-going fights, this group was reduced to only seven members by 2015.
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga Sector in Bwindi National Park.
Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park can only be done in Rushaga sector. Those interested in gorilla habituation can visit the Bikingi and Bushaho gorilla families and spend four hours examining the everyday habits of these magnificent animals.
Gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga sector in Bwindi Impenetrable national park is best done if you are coming from Kigali city in Rwanda. This sector of Bwindi national park in Uganda can easily be accessed through Cyanika border between Rwanda and Uganda.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking experience in Rushaga Sector in Bwindi National Park.
Those interested in hiking the Rushaga Gorilla Families can stay at Kisoro Town’s Kisoro Travellers Rest Inn, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Four Gorilla’s Nest Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, or Clouds Gorilla Lodge.
How to access Rushaga Sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
If you are driving from Kampala or Entebbe, please budget for a whole day since it may take you approximately 9-10 hours’ drive on a winding road.
If you are interested in flying to Rushaga sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park, you can book a scheduled flight operated by Aerolink or Bar Aviation or charter a helicopter by Bar Aviation among other companies in Uganda.
If you want to fly to Rushaga, you can book a scheduled trip run by Aerolink or Bar Aviation. Alternatively, you can afford it, you can charter a Flight or helicopter operated by Bar Aviation.
You may continue to Rwanda from Rushaga by driving to the adjacent Uganda Rwanda border at Cyanika. It is a 15-minute drive from Kisoro town to the Uganda-Rwanda border, however if you wish to travel into Rwanda, you must apply for the Rwandan visa online at least two weeks before your visit.
