Top things to do in Rushaga sector after gorilla trekking; Rushaga sector is one of the four gorilla trekking sectors located in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Rushaga sector is famously known for harboring about eight habituated gorilla families namely Busingye, Nshongi, Bweza, Mucunguzi, Rwigi, Bikingi, Kahungye and Mishaya which are available for trekking on a daily basis. Rushaga sector offers a number of interesting activities that visitors can engage in after the exceptional gorilla trekking activity including,
Top things to do in Rushaga sector after gorilla trekking
Gorilla habituation experience
Gorilla habituation experience is an adventurous and one of the top activities to do in Rushaga sector after gorilla trekking. Gorilla habituation is a process where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. The habituation process takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be complete and Rushaga is the only sector that offers the habituation experience. Gorilla habituation experience starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations during trekking. After the briefing you will start trekking in the jungle with a team of researchers, scientists, park rangers and guides. During trekking which takes a whole day, you will be able to view other primate species, birds, plant species among others and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend four hours with them in their natural environment which gives you an opportunity to learn and monitor their behaviors, take part in the naming process, take pictures among others.
Batwa cultural tour
Batwa cultural tour is another activity that you can engage in after gorilla trekking. During the Batwa cultural tour, you will be able to interact with the Batwa who used to live in Bwindi forest before it was gazetted into a national park, learn about their culture, way of living, visit their homesteads, farmlands, listen to their ancient stories, learn about their hunting and gathering skills, visit the craft shops where they sell craft items like sandals, mats, bags, hats, participate in their traditional performances among others.
Bird watching
Rushaga sector is a home of more than 350 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemics, forest birds and migratory birds. During bird watching which is best done early in the morning or in the evening, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including Kivu ground thrush, yellow eyed black catcher, African emerald cuckoo, short tailed warbler, black bee-eater, bar tailed trogon, green tinker bird, grey cuckoo shrike, African green broadbill, mountain yellow warbler, handsome francolin, African wood owl among others.
Nature walk
Nature walk is an exciting activity in Rushaga sector where you will be able to explore the park on foot accompanied by an experienced park guide and an armed park ranger. During the guided nature walk, you will follow different trails like the Kara ridge trail where you will be able to view different bird species, primates like l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, animals like bush pigs, warthogs, three horned chameleon, view the beautiful butterflies, enjoy scenic views of the park, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, enjoy the cool breeze, take beautiful pictures among others.
Best time to visit Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector can be visited anytime throughout the year thought 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 park therefore access roads to Rushaga sector, nature walk trails and gorilla habituation trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.
Rushaga sector can also be visited in the wet/ rainy season during the months of March to May and November because that’s the best time for bird watching where bird lovers will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species.
How to get to Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park in southwestern Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where by you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
You can as well access Rushaga sector from Kigali Rwanda whereby you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.
Rushaga sector can also be accessed by air transport means where by you will book charter or scheduled flights with bar aviation Uganda or Aero link Uganda limited from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Where to stay in Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector has a number of accommodation facilities where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Four Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort among others.
For more information about the top things to do in Rushaga sector after gorilla trekking, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for affordable safari packages.
