Gorilla Families in Rushaga : Rushaga sectors sounds as one of the famous four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park home to the habituated mountain gorilla families. All the gorilla families in Bwindi are open yearly and Rushaga sector is the only sector in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you can do gorilla habituation experience is done and it has only two gorilla groups-families which are open for gorilla habituation experience.
Despite the fact that, Rushaga sector is one of the outstanding gorilla trekking sectors to be visited by a number of travelers who would like to enjoy gorilla tourism in Rwanda and Uganda. More so ,Rushaga sector can easily be reached by tourists from Volcanoes National Park who wish to do a double gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest .However, Bwindi can be reached from Volcanoes National Park through Cyanika border which is next to Kisoro district and at the same time near Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Why would you do gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector?
This is because the sector can easily be accessed by visitors from Volcanoes National Park compared to other sectors, which are bit far to guests who are arriving in from Rwanda-Kigali. More so, Rushaga sector is the only sector in Bwindi where gorilla habituation is conducted out. Meanwhile, Rushaga sector offers gainful views of Mount Gahinga of the Democratic republic of Congo, Nyiragongo Volcano and Mahabura hence geographically located to offer extra ordinary experiences of ‘’the Pearl of Africa’’.
Rushaga sector has over five habituated gorillas and this is the sector that ranks with highest concentration of habituated gorillas like; Bushangye family, Nshongi, Bwenza, Kahungye and Mishaya family thus marking one of the best sectors in Bwindi to trek the gorilla family.
Nshongi family
This is the most visited gorilla family in Rushaga comprised of 36 members which are led by a mature silverback gorilla Nshongi who has managed to increase the family in numbers. Nshongi silverback gorilla overthrew his father Mishaya who died because of old age ‘’for leadership’’.
Kahungye gorilla family
This is one of the gorilla family found in Rushaga sector and composed of about 27 individuals led by one silverback gorillas who has been in charge to cater for the family members. The family is one of the habituated gorilla families which was open for tourism since 2011. It is comprised of 3 blackback ,3 silverbacks ,3 adult females ,2 infant ,3 juveniles and two infants many more.
Bweza Gorilla Family
The Bweza gorilla family is led by one silverback called Kakono and it is comprised of about 12 individuals. More so, the gorilla family can be open for tourism all year around. However, Bweza was open for tourism in 2011. Ever since then, it has become a tourist place for those wishing to do gorilla trekking. This gorilla group consists of 3 black back ,1 sub-adult gorilla, infants ,4 blackbacks ,3 adult’s females and two infants.
Mishaya gorilla family
This gorilla family is composed of about 7member led by one silverback and it is open for tourism throughout the year. Since there are very many habituated gorillas group in Rushaga, the Uganda Wildlife Authority a body which is charge of all Uganda National Park, issuing out a lot of gorilla trekking permit with ‘’a maximum of about 40 permits’’ for the Rushaga sector every day. Therefore, increasing the chances of all visitors that would like to trek in Rushaga sector thus a best option incase the Buhoma gorilla permits have been sold out.
Apart from the gorilla trekking experience, Rushaga sector provides other fantastic activities that can be enjoyed after gorilla trekking experience like the Batwa community walks and through meeting them you get to interrupt with the local people, enjoy their traditional dances and songs.
You can do forest walks which comes with great opportunity of bird watching experience and viewing of small primates.
Visit Lake Mutanda is another place to visit on safari in Rushaga sector where travelers enjoy the beautiful scenic views of the Lake, rolling hills around Bwindi Forest.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Gorilla habituation experience it’s a remarkable activity which first undergoes the process of training the mountain gorillas to get used to human presence before opening it up for the gorilla tourism. The fact, Rushaga sector has only two gorilla families open for the gorilla habituation experience that is; Bikingi and Bushaho Gorilla Family.
Gorilla habituation permits allows visitors to spend 4 hours with the mountain gorillas group and a maximum of four people. Whereas gorilla trekking allows a maximum of 8 people to participate in the activity and trackers are allowed to spend only one hour with the gorilla group.
What is the cost of Gorilla permits Uganda – Rushaga Sector
Gorilla trekking permit Uganda – foreigner nonresident costs USD700, forest residents costs USD600 per person per day . Gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga sector costs USD1,500 per person per day for foreign nonresident and foreign resident costs USD1000 per person per day.
Accommodation in Rushaga Sector;
There are no worries from where to stay on Gorilla safari in Rushaga, because the sector has got range optional lodges, ranging from luxury, Mid-range and Budget; Some of lodge’s incudes, Four Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga gorilla havens, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Gorilla valley lodge, Bwindi eco tourist resort, Rushaga gorilla camp, Lake Mutanda among others.
Accessibility to Rushaga Sector in Southern region of Bwindi;
From Kampala or Entebbe passing via Masaka -Mbarara road, continue to drive through Kibale with rewarding view of beautiful landscape which proves why Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa. Takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
Alternatively, you can fly from Entebbe International Airport by Aero link Uganda a domestic flight to land you in Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip lands 1:30hours.
