Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Sector is the region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas, the national park is situated in the southwestern part of Uganda, it is bisected in sectors including Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija, each of these boasts several habituated gorilla families. The forest covers an area space of approximately 325 square kilometers the forest has developed over time with a remarkable biodiverse ecosystem, it protects some of the few remaining regions of the montane forest in Uganda, it is home to half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas, and these are distributed within the four sectors of the national park.
The Buhoma sector was the first area of the park to experience gorilla trekking in 1993, it is located in the northern part of the national park, and it is an outstanding sector with the preference of many guests who come to the park for gorilla trekking, the first choice is the Buhoma sector for their gorilla trekking safari, permits to this sector are issued and get done first compared to other sectors. Mubare is the first gorilla group to be tracked. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has trails set up in the region all beginning at the park headquarters, the sector is the birth origin of all other sectors of the national park and gorilla families. Gorilla trekking experience is offered to 8 travelers per day gorilla groups present in this sector include Mubare, Habimanya, Rushegura, and Katwe, these live in groups of up to 20 members led by a male silverback. The Buhoma sector boasts several accommodation facilities ranging from the best budget to luxury Examplesof facilities include BuhomaLodge, Mahogany Springs, Bwindi Lodge, and Ride for a Woman to mention a few.
The Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park is strategically situated in the eastern part of the park, it is the highest altitude point of the conservation area and can be easily accessed from Kabale, it is a strategic location ideal for an Uganda safari, it is home to 3 habituated gorilla families, these are tracked beginning at the park headquarters gorilla families include the Bityukura family which was named after the river where they were first seen, the group was, in the beginning, a large one however over time they kept on losing members to other teams. Oruzogo family The team comprises amazing lively juveniles who are playful and keep jumping from one point to another, the Kyagurilo gorilla group is the new team in the sector this is reserved aside for research purposes and visits can only be allowed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority team.
Nkuringo sector to the south of Bwindi impenetrable national park is by far known for its tough hikes, the gorilla families of this sector keep moving constantly they live in challenging trails, if you are up to challenges then these are the best teams to search for, gorillafamilies include the Nkuringo gorilla family, Christmas, bushaho gorilla family, and the Posho gorilla family, he habituated mountain gorillas have trekked from the park headquarters, the activity can be combined with the Buninga forest walk to the Batwa community, there is available accommodation to the south, for example, Chameleon hill lodge, Clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Lake Mulehe gorilla lodge among other facilities.
Rushaga sector is popular for the gorilla habituation process, which involves an all-day lookout for the mountain gorillas, a team of researchers and guides will lead you to the forest to follow gorilla groups undergoing familiarization with the presence of humans, there are other gorilla families for merely a gorilla trekking experience including Nshongi gorilla group, Busingye gorilla group and Mishaya gorilla family. Accommodation in this sector varies from Luxury to the best budget.
In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is possible with a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, gorilla permit fees include $700 for foreign non residents, $600 for foreign residents and 250,000 shillings for East African citizens, gorilla habituation fees are charged$1,500 per trek.