Things to do in Buhoma sector after gorilla trekking; Buhoma sector is one of the four sectors located in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park in Kanungu district. Gorilla trekking is the major activity in Buhoma sector and it involves visitors moving into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Buhoma sector is the first sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park to be opened for gorilla trekking and it harbors the oldest gorilla family called Mubare. Buhoma sector is a home of five habituated gorilla families namely Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Muyambi and Katwe which are open for trekking on a daily basis. There are a number of interesting activities in Buhoma sector which you can engage in after gorilla trekking including,
Things to do in Buhoma sector after gorilla trekking
Nature walks
Nature walk is one of the top things to do in Buhoma sector after gorilla trekking which gives you an opportunity to explore the park on foot with the company of an armed park ranger and an experienced park guide who is well conversant with different hiking trails. There are popular hiking trails in Buhoma to follow during the nature walk including Kashasha river trail, Muzabajiro loop trail, the Ivy river trail, Habinyanja trail, Rushura hill trail, Munyanga waterfall trail and Rusizi river trail. During the guided nature walk, you will get up-close and personal with different primate species, birds, colorful butterflies, enjoy scenic views of the Rwenzori mountains, waterfalls, take beautiful pictures among others.
Bird watching
Buhoma sector is a home of about 360 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemics, forest birds and migratory birds. During bird watching, you will follow different trails where you will be able to spot different bird species like white throated greenbull, yellow fronted canary, red headed bluebill, Klaas’s cuckoo, pink footed puffback, Waller’s starling, African blue flycatcher, African cuckoos, blue headed sunbird, grey crowned crane, cape wagtail, yellow-rumped tinker bird, short tailed warbler, African green broadbill, Rwenzori batis, mountain wagtail, archers robin chat, Cassins flycatcher, African paradise flycatcher, yellow fronted canary, brown capped weaver, snowy crowned robin chat, African olive pigeon, crested guinea fowl, handsome francolin, great blue turaco, African pygmy kingfisher, double toothed barbet, ross’s turaco, black bee-eater, grey cheeked hornbill among others.
Batwa cultural tour
Batwa cultural tour is an interesting activity where you will be able to interact with the Batwa or pygmies who used to live in Bwindi forest before it was gazetted into a national park. During the Batwa cultural tour, you will be able to learn about their culture, hunting and gathering skills, homesteads, taste their local meals, meet the medicine men who use herbs as medication to cure different diseases, listen to ancient stories, participate in traditional entertainments among others.
Community tour
Community tour is another activity in Buhoma sector to engage in after gorilla trekking. During the exciting cultural tour, you will be able to interact with the local people who live in the community around the park, learn about their culture, history, visit their homesteads, farmlands, meet the magicians, traditional healers who treat different sicknesses with plants and roots, visit the local distillers where they make beer from bananas, visit the community development projects like schools, maize mill, microfinance circles, enjoy the cultural dances, songs and drama, visit the craft shops where they sell handcraft items like bags, hats, sandals, drums, art pieces among others.
Best time to visit Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the national park therefore access roads, nature walk and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the wet/ rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.
Where to stay in Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector has a number of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your safari including Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Gorilla Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Engagi Lodge among others.
How to get to Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Ntugamo, Rukungiri, Kihihi and then to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
Buhoma sector can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book charter or scheduled flights with Aero link Uganda or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road. Domestic flights to Buhoma sector can be organized by your tour operator.
