Buhoma is a sector headquarters found in the North of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kanungu district where gorilla tracking of different gorilla families takes Place and other alternative park activities. This article strives to look at gorilla trekking in Bwind starting from Buhoma trailhead. It is under the management of Uganda Wildlife authority a government body in charge of all National Parks in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in southwestern Uganda and is a habitat to half of the remaining gorillas in the World, and this gives you 98% chances for you to view and see the gorillas.

What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla tracking is an activity of viewing the Gorillas for one hour after moving and hiking through the forest to find them. It starts early in the morning with a briefing at every Park headquarter at 7:0am, Park guides brief the clients on the do’s and don’ts and later begin the walk to the forest with the Visitor. Sometimes the hike can be very tiresome, and you can hire a porter to help carry your stuff and even give you a hand while moving. Watching the gorillas which are 95% human is a lifetime experience that you should not miss, and you can achieve this dream by booking with Encounter Africa safaris to visit the Gorillas in Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

What are the gorilla families in Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Gorilla tracking was done first in Buhoma sector, and it is referred to as the back born of gorilla Tourism in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Uganda as a whole. Buhoma has five habituated Gorilla family groups, namely: Mubare Gorilla Family, Habinyanja Gorilla family, Rushegura Gorilla Family, Muyambi Gorilla Family, Katwe Gorilla family. Only 8 visitors are allowed to trek each gorilla family per day in Buhoma and are allowed one hour of viewing the gorillas in their natural environment.

You can select gorilla family to track Buhoma Sector, Depending on your communication with Encounter Africa safaris about your fitness, your interest, or general healthy wellness, your driver-guide for your trip will put in consideration and communicate to the Park management about your condition/desire to have a have an easy trek or long trek. An easy trek is considered to you visit the gorilla family that is not very far in case you don’t have energy, physical condition or you’re aged. You can even request for a specific gorilla family to trek by selecting the name of the family, and we shall always communicate with the Park guides and Authority to consider your request.

How many gorilla permits are available in Buhoma Sector per day?

Gorilla Permits are essential for you to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi starting from Buhoma trail head. Forty Permits are available every day in Buhoma to allow visitors to trek the Gorillas, for every gorilla family, only eight visitors are allowed to visit the gorillas per day in Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Once you contact and book gorilla package with Encounter Africa Safaris to see the gorillas, we shall send you an invoice and book you the permit on the system tentatively, Once you make a payment, We shall secure your permit from Uganda wildlife Authority head offices in Kampala and later send you scanned receipt of your permits for your records and perusal. One week close to your trip dates, we will collect you’re the permit cards from Uganda wildlife Authority, and your driver-guide will present them on the day of trekking at the park headquarters for you to be allowed to trek gorillas in Buhoma trail head.

Gorilla Permits are only eligible to visitors/Persons aged above Fifteen (15) years. Gorilla permits should be booked in advance. You can purchase gorilla permits up to 2 years in advance to secure your Place for gorilla tracking in Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. During the high season of July, August, September, December, January and February every year, gorilla permits sell out very quickly. As Encounter Africa safaris, we always advise all travelers to book and reserve the permits in advance so that you don’t miss out on your desired date of travel to trek the gorillas.

What is the price of gorilla trekking permits for Buhoma?

Gorilla Permits for Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park cost USD700 per person per trek for foreign nonresidents, USD600 per person per trek for Foreign residents and Uganda shillings 250,000 for East African citizens according to Uganda Wildlife Authority tariff for 2019-2020. For this, you are allowed one hour of viewing and Photography once you find the gorillas in the forest. The gorilla permit for Buhoma and Uganda as general is considered cheap compared to the Rwanda Permit that costs USD1500 and still allows one hour of trekking. For more information about gorilla families and permits in the Buhoma region, contact us for your gorilla trekking in Bwindi in Buhoma trailhead.

Where to stay while doing gorilla trekking in Bwindi starting in Buhoma Trail head.

Buhoma being the backbone of gorilla tourism in Uganda, It has a lot of infrastructure in terms of Lodges and hotels ranging from Budget, Midrange, Luxury and Upmarket. Depending on your budget and availability of space, Encounter Africa will book you the best lodge with en-suite private toilet and bathroom, access to power, Wi-Fi and standard service as per the gorilla tour package booked with us, You can opt to stay at Buhoma community rest camp as budget, Buhoma Havens as Midrange, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany springs as a luxury option and Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp as the Upmarket Lodge. All these lodges have great views of the forest and very calm and comfortable for your stay.

How to Access Buhoma Trail head of Bwindi

Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park can be accessed from Kampala/Entebbe by road for an approximately 8-9hours drive. You will be able to see the beautiful landscape, the Equator, people and shops. You can also access Buhoma from Kigali as it is even a short drive of about 5-6hours and also you have a lot to see on the road.

Buhoma can also be accessed by air transport. There is Kihihi Airstrip which is very close to Buhoma and has daily domestic flights by domestic Airline companies. We can as well book your flights to Buhoma, and you Land at Kihihi Airstrip which is very close to the Park Headquarters and accessible to all Lodges where you can stay

Why book gorilla trekking in Bwindi starting from Buhoma trail Head with Encounter Africa safaris

Encounter Africa safaris is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Encounter Africa safaris is run and owned by Ugandans. We have been in operation for more than 15 years and we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and are registered by UTB (Uganda Tourism Board). We have a good and long working relationship with UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Encounter Africa safaris is highly reviewed on trip advisor as well as Safari bookings. Please contact Encounter Africa safaris to plan your visit to trek the gorillas in Buhoma of Bwindi impenetrable national Park Uganda.