Ruhija Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Ruhija Sector is positioned in the eastern part of Uganda’s most visited national park famously known as Bwindi Impenetrable national park, harboring half the remaining mountain gorillas in the world with over 500 individuals of the 880 individuals of mountain gorillas that are still existing entire world. The park is located in the south western region of Uganda, approximately 8 to 9 hours’ drive. Alternatively, you can travel by air by charter flight that takes 1:30 hours from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to land to Kihihi airstrip near the park.
Ruhija sector is categorised of 3 Gorilla families namely Oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguliro family. Ruhija had two habituated families and only 16 permits available each day for Mountain gorilla trekking in this region. Then the Kyaguliro family has only 24 gorilla permits sold to the trekkers.
The Kyaguliro gorilla family is reserved for research in this sector and only 6 people are allowed to join the researchers instead of 8 people who participate in gorilla trekking like other gorilla families. Therefore, Kyaguliro family is visited if one asks for a formal permission from the Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘’UWA’’.
Ruhija sector has few families compared to Buhoma sector which is fully congested with tourists. Note that, Ruhija offers a more ecotourism experience, unlike other sectors Ruhija is more attractive due to lots of location.
This sector sits between Buhoma sector to the north of the park and Kibale town to the south making the sector to be easily reached from both parts of south and north. From this sector it is easy to connect to Queen Elizabeth national park which covers 218 kilometres. This allows travellers who wish to combine gorilla trekking and game drive which can be done in the Ishasha sector a proud area for spotting the rare tree climbing lions.
The sector is also positioned a few meters away from the crater Lake Bunyonyi a beautiful area to relax after gorilla trekking experience, enjoy the fresh cool weather around with rewardable view of hills and islands over 29 of them. Still it’s a perfect place for canoe rides and visiting the local Batwa culture.
Why travellers would visit the Ruhija sector of Bwindi
Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable national park are done in four gorilla sectors of the park, that is Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija sectors. This is a unique activity done in each of these four sectors
Below are some of the reasons why Ruhija sector should be considered as a tourism destination to visit.
Primate walk; This is a fascinating activity commonly done here where visitors are given an opportunity to enjoy a primate walk in a green natural environment and be able to spot other small primates such as white and black colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys among others truly exciting activity.
This great apes are the major highlight why travellers prefer most to visit Bwindi Impenetrable national park. The park hosts with more than 19 gorilla families where travellers can track while on a Uganda gorilla trekking safari. Ruhija sector of Bwindi alone has four gorilla families that is Bitukura gorilla family, Oruzogo gorilla family, Kyaguliro and Mukiza gorilla families. Those are the four available fully habituated gorilla families where tourists can track while in Ruhija sector of Bwindi. Only 8 people are allowed to participate in this activity but the right age should be above 15-year-old. There are 32 gorilla permits available that are sold to trackers on a daily basis in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi. So we advise you to book your gorilla trekking permit in advance by the help of the trust worth tour operators. Uganda gorilla permit are sold at USD 700 per person per day for foreign non-residents, foreign resident at USD600 and East African citizens pay UGX250,000 in order to acquire a gorilla trekking permits. On your gorilla trekking tour, you should pack the right items and always follow the rules and regulations given to you.
Bird watching
Ruhija sector is also a right location for birders and some of birds to see include starred robin, hornbills, dusky crimson wing and the yellow-streaked greenbul among others. We advise you to carry your binoculars which will help you to have clearly seeing of tiny birds or those that are rather far away in the sky. You will be guided with an experienced guide in addition to that.
Forest walks
This is an interesting and rewarding activity done in Bwindi impenetrable national park on foot. Where you will be able to sightsee beautiful waterfalls, caves, abundant plant life, birds and other variety of animals in the forest making it more enjoyable.
Visit the Batwa people
While in Ruhija, never leave without visiting this Batwa people because they have unique culture where you will enjoy their amazing traditional songs, dance as well as collecting with them wild honey, cook with them among others.
Ruhija sector has got comfortable lodging where you can sleep on your visit ranging from Luxury, Mid-range and budget accommodation facilities. We always advise you to book accommodation before your safari and booking accommodation should be done after confirming the gorilla sector you’re met to trek in.
We recommend you to always take a plan for your visit to Ruhija sector of Bwindi and always book with a trust worthy tour operator who can help you out to re-arrange your gorilla trekking permit on time.
