Buhoma Sector

Buhoma Sector

Buhoma Sector | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Buhoma sector is the pioneer of the four Bwindi gorilla trekking sector that harbor the habituated gorilla families’ location in the northern side of the park. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is one of the top safari destinations in Africa to host the high population of endangered mountain gorillas.

Other gorilla sectors include Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma Sector 

In general, gorilla trekking is an incredible activity done into the dense tropical forests in search of the habituated gorilla families and once are located you spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. In Buhoma sector, gorilla trekking experience can be done in 4 habituated Gorilla groups as listed below;

Mubare gorilla family

This was the first gorilla family to be habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1991 and it was officially opened for tourism after 2 years in 1993. This group was named after Mubare hills where it was observed by the trackers. By that time of this habituation gorilla group had only 12 members including one dominant silverback but later it died after a fight with a black in 2013, it was named Ruhondeza.The gorilla group is now composed of 9 members.

Habinyanja gorilla family

The name Habinyanja derives from Rukiga word Nyanja which means a water pond where it was observed by the trackers. Habinyanja gorilla family was habituated in 1997 and was officially opened for tourism in 1999.Before the group had 30 individuals including the dominant silver back Mugurusi. The gorilla group had leadership whom developed fights after the death of Mugurusi which led by two brothers Mwirima and Rwansigazi, then later they separated and Mwirima had to form his own gorilla group named Rushegura. Rwansigazi stayed with Habinyanja group and it’s now composed of 18 members with 2 silverbacks.  

Rushegura gorilla family

This group splinted from Habinyanja gorilla family in 2002 under the lead ship of Mwirima who left with 8 members. Rushegura gorilla family is now dominated by Kabukojo silverback after the death of Mwirima in 2014 and the group is composed of 16 members.

Katwe gorilla family 

This gorilla family is one the newest habituated gorilla families found in Buhoma sector for gorilla trekking. Katwe gorilla family is composed of 7 individuals including 1 silverback ,4 adult females and 2 infants.

In Buhoma sector, the gorilla trekking Experience starts early morning with a briefing at the park headquarter to know about the dos and don’ts of gorillas in the forest. After briefing you will be grouped into 8 people who are allowed to trek in a gorilla group. Trekkers need to be physically fit in the body and to those who are not physically fit will be allocated to trek a gorilla family that is close to the park headquarter. At exactly 8am meet the ranger guide to accompany you in the jungle and your free to ask him whatever question you prefer to, he will give you all the information about the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector can last about 2 to 6 hours hiking in the natural forest and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be given one hour to spend with them as you watch out their daily activities such as feeding, learning more about their lifestyle, behaviors and habits many more.

However, Buhoma sector is a home of 4 habituated gorilla families of which 32 gorilla trekking permits are available on daily basis for visitors. So travelers who desire to participate in gorilla trekking, you should book your gorilla trekking permits in advance before the trekking date of arrival on Uganda gorilla safaris. Note that, Buhoma is the most visited gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi Impenetrable national park therefore the permits are on sold on daily bases and very competitive.  

A gorilla trekking permits in Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable national park is sold USD700 for foreign nonresidents, USD600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. Booking for a gorilla trekking permits in Buhoma sector can either be done directly through contacting the office of the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trust worthy tour operator, if you don’t hesitate you can to contact or email us Achieve Global Safari we are here to help you.

Accessibility to Buhoma Sector 

Buhoma sector can be easily accessed through different routes that is from Queen Elizabeth national park passing through Mweya peninsular via Ishasha sector which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive to reach to Buhoma sector. Buhoma sector can also be accessed from Kampala by road of about 8 to 9 hours’ drive. Alternative, you can use air transport from Entebbe by charter flight approximately 1:30 hours.

Best Time to Visit Buhoma Sector for Gorilla trekking 

Gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year, though the best time is during dry season in the months of June to September and December to February. The dry season is the same as the peak season and visitors prefer travelling in the dry season because during this period there is less rainfall in forest and the roads are passable compared to rain season when the sector receives heavy rainfalls which makes forest trails slippery and muddy thus making gorilla trekking difficult.

Where to stay 

Buhoma sector has got  comfortable accommodation ranging from Luxury ,Mid-range and budget accommodation facilities where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari which is the best destination to visit while in Bwindi Impenetrable national park some of lodges include ;Silver back lodge, Bwindi forest lodge ,Trackers Safari lodge, Haven lodge ,Buhoma Rest Camp ,Volcanoes Safari  Bwindi lodge ,Engagi lodge ,Gorilla Resort ,Mahogany Springs Camp ,Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp among others. 

Buhoma Sector is well known for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and apart from gorilla trekking, here other activities visitors do can /participate in after gorilla trekking as below;

Forest Walking 

This is an adventurous activity where travelers get a chance of exploring the park on foot as they enjoy beautiful scenery, cool breath air, relax in cool green environment, have a great rewarding views of the animals, bird species, plant species among others.

Community tour

This is an interesting activity where you can tour the community people around ‘’Batwa Pygmies and the Bakiga. You can go visit them, learn more about their culture, lifestyle and be entertained by their performances like traditional dances, songs, storytelling and many more.

Buhoma sector is the highlight of gorilla trekking tours in the renowned national park ‘’Bwindi Impenetrable national park’ ’in Uganda destination. Book now and encounter into grueling activity of gorilla trekking in the pearl of Africa, the time is now to enjoy your activity.

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