Gorilla trekking experience in Rushaga sector; Rushaga sector is one of the four gorilla sectors that offers the adventurous gorilla trekking experience which involves visitors moving into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park in Kisoro district and it’s known for harboring the highest number of gorilla families including Busingye family, Bweza family, Mishaya family, Nshongi family, Rwigi family, Mucunguzi family and Kahungye gorilla families.
Gorilla trekking experience in Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking is an exceptional activity in Rushaga sector which starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking.
After the briefing, you will be sub-divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide who is well conversant with gorilla trekking trails. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Rushaga sector takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, variety of bird species, different tree and plant species among others. Once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, grooming young ones, take photos and record the beautiful moments to show people back home after the safari.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking experience in Rushaga sector can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season or peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less rainfall in Rushaga sector therefore gorilla trekking trails and access roads will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trekking trails are muddy and slippery hence making trekking difficult.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking permits are legal documents that are issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit a habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with them in their habitat. A gorilla trekking permit in Rushaga sector costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book gorilla trekking permits in Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking permits in Rushaga sector can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority by contacting the park headquarters in Kampala via email or telephone calls. Gorilla trekking permits in Rushaga sector can also be booked through a trusted tour company like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the dates, month and year when you wish to visit the mountain gorillas. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your desired dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permits. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Booking gorilla trekking permits in Rushaga through a tour operator is the best option to use when acquiring gorilla permits as we will not only book the permits on your behalf but also plan for your entire safari which involves transportation to Rushaga sector, accommodation, full-time driver guide, other activities to engage in after gorilla trekking and other destinations to visit.
How to get to Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to Rushaga sector which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
You can also access Rushaga sector from Kigali Rwanda where visitors will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to Rushaga sector via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
Rushaga sector can as well be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book scheduled or charter flights with Bar aviation Uganda or Aero link Uganda limited from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to Rushaga sector by road.
Where to stay in Rushaga sector during your gorilla trekking experience
There are a wide range of accommodation facilities in Rushaga sector where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Nshongi Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Four Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge among others.
Other activities in Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector offers other interesting activities that you can engage in after your gorilla trekking adventure including gorilla habituation experience where you will be able to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas, Batwa cultural tour where you will be able to interact with the Batwa or pygmies who live in the neighboring community, bird watching where you will be able to view different bird species, guided nature walk among others.
