Activities to do in Ruhija sector after gorilla trekking; Ruhija sector is one of the gorilla trekking sectors located in the Eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park in Rubanda district. Gorilla trekking is the most famous activity carried out in Ruhija sector and it involves visitors moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Ruhija sector is a home of 4 habituated mountain gorilla families namely Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro and Mukiza which are open for trekking daily. There are other activities to engage in after gorilla trekking in Ruhija sector including,
Activities to do in Ruhija sector after gorilla trekking
Bird watching
Bird watching is an adventurous activity to do in Ruhija sector after the breathtaking gorilla trekking. Ruhija sector is one of the top birding destinations in Bwindi impenetrable national park in that it harbors more than 400 recorded bird species including migratory birds, forest birds, Albertine rift endemic birds among others. during bird watching, you will follow different trails in Mubwindi swamp and bamboo trail where you will be able to spot different bird species like red chested flufftail, dwarf honeyguide, grey throated barbet, common buzzard, African green broadbill, African shrike flycatcher, cinnamon chested bee-eater, brown capped weaver, handsome francolin, Rwenzori batis, African paradise flycatcher, Shelley’s greenbul, mountain masked apalis, strange weaver, archers robin chat, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, purple breasted sunbird, yellow rumped tinker bird, red tailed greenbul among others.
Nature walks
Nature walk is an interesting activity where you will get an opportunity to explore the national park on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and armed park ranger to protect you from any danger. During the guided nature walk, you will follow different trails like Mubwindi swamp trail, bamboo trail among others where you will get up-close and personal with different animals like bush pigs, forest elephants, primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, view different bird species, colorful butterflies, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, take beautiful photos, enjoy the cool breeze and stunning views of Lake Bunyonyi, the Virunga volcanoes among others.
Community tours
Community tour is an exciting and one of the activities to do in Ruhija sector after gorilla trekking. During the community tour, you will be able to interact with the Bakiga people, learn about their culture, way of living, visit their traditional healers who heal different ailments with plants and roots, blacksmith, visit the local schools, homesteads, farmlands, learn how beer is made out of bananas, learn and taste their local dishes, enjoy their traditional performances inform of music dance and drama, visit their craft shops where they sell handcraft items like drums, beads, hats, bags among others.
Batwa cultural experience
Batwa cultural experience is another interesting activity to do in Ruhija sector after gorilla trekking and it gives you an opportunity to interact with the Batwa/ pygmies who used to live in Bwindi forest before it was gazetted into a national park in 1991. During the Batwa cultural tour, you will be able to learn about their history, lifestyle, hunting and gathering skills, learn how to make fire by rubbing sticks, learn about different plants which were used to cure different diseases, learn how to cook different dishes, listen to their ancient stories, visit their traditional homesteads, participate in their traditional dances and songs among others.
Best time to visit Ruhija sector
Ruhija sector can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season, there is less or little rainfall in the national park therefore access roads to the park, nature walk and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable.
Ruhija sector can also be visited in the wet season during the months of March to May and October to November because that’s the best time for bird watching in that it’s the breeding season where bird lovers will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species.
How to get to ruhija sector
Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
When using road transport, you will drive from Kampala through Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
When using air transport means, you will book scheduled or charter flights with Aero link Uganda or bar aviation from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Where to stay in Ruhija sector
There are several accommodation facilities in Ruhija sector where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Cuckooland Tented Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort and Campsite among others.
