How To Trek Happy Gorilla Family/Group In Ruhija Region Of Bwindi

Happy gorilla family located in the Ruhija region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the newest gorilla family to be fully habituated and opened to the public for trekking. According to a letter dated 14^th April 2026 Ref TDO 101/01 from Uganda Wildlife Authority, addressed to all tourism and conservation stakeholders and signed by the Executive Director, UWA stated Happy gorilla family had been added on the system and tourists and tour operators were free to start booking it.

Our popular gorilla trekking safaris;

3 Day Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali

3 Day Uganda gorilla trekking tour

5 Day Uganda gorillas and Chimp safari

5 Day Gorillas and Game safari

11 Days Uganda gorilla trekking safari

History And Composition Of Happy Gorilla Family

Happy gorilla family located in Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was part of Kyaguriro gorilla family which experienced some internal conflicts resulting into some members separating and making a new family which was later named Happy gorilla group.

If you are interested or want to establish how to trek happy gorilla family/group in Ruhija region, you need to get in touch with Encounter Africa safaris with date/month/year when you intend to trek gorillas in Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Once we have the actual dates, we will then go ahead and check availability of gorilla permits for Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National park where Happy gorilla family is found.

We will send you and invoice to make payment so that we secure your gorilla permits. Once gorilla permits are secured, then we will go ahead and reserve all the other services such as Accommodation and your transport to Ruhija.

Gorilla family allocation is done on the very day of gorilla trekking during briefing. It's at this time that each traveler or visitor is advised to ask for a gorilla family of his/her interest.

If interested in trekking the newest gorilla family known as Happy gorilla group, this will be the time to request it. Chances are that you request will be granted and you will be grouped with other tourists to make a group of 8 or less and head to the forest.

How Was Happy Gorilla Family Habituated?

Happy gorilla family which separated from the mother family called Kyaguriro took 2-3 years to get fully habituated and opened to the public for visiting in March this year.  Before this, this group was just like any other wild and unhabituated gorilla groups resident and hostile to the community.

A group of well-trained rangers, guides and researchers identified it, kept study its behaviours, composition and movement for 2 or so years. As time went by, members of this group started to get used to human beings but still, tourists were not allowed to visit it until the whole process was completed.

It was officially named Happy Gorilla Group and all individuals found in this group given names. For more information about these names, number of individuals in terms of silverbacks, blackbacks, babies, females and much more, kindly contact us.

After a successful habituation experience, Happy gorilla group was put on a mock exercise for another year to make sure all is well until March 2026 when it was opened to tourists and tour operators for trekking.

What You Need To Know About Ruhija Gorilla Permits

If there is any region that is very competitive when it comes to availability of gorilla permit is Ruhija. Ruhija gorilla permits are normally the first ones to run out due to the fact that it is located in the eastern part of Bwindi and most accessible and convenient to travelers since you can choose to stay in Kabale town or Ruhija side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Because of this, the region went on to grow in terms of Lodges, campsite and accessibility. Ruhija has all categories of Accommodation from Luxury, Mid Range, Budget and camp sites. This makes it very attractive to both individual tourists and tour operators.

We therefore advise you to book your gorilla permits in advance of 6 or one to two years in advance if you intend to trek Happy gorilla group which is part of the families resident in Ruhija Region Of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

How to get to Ruhija Region of Bwindi

From Entebbe/Kampala, Ruhija region is about a 9-11 hour drive past Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale onwards to Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Most of the road is well maintain accept the section after Kabale town.

A 4x 4 Van or Land Cruiser is well recommended and if contacted, we will handle all your travel arrangements from Entebbe to Ruhija by road. Please check out our Uganda safaris from Entebbe/Kampala here.

Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by air. Both scheduled and charter flights from Entebbe to Kihihi Airstrip exist and can be booked any time. You may choose from morning, mid-morning and afternoon flights. From Kihihi Airstrip, you will drive to approximately one and half hours to Ruhija.

All flights from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi Airstrip is a minimum of two people and a maximum of 11. Charter flights can be booked on your behalf by Encounter Africa safaris. Feel free to contact us.

Accessing Ruhija region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali is very possible as it reduces on the drive time to 6-7 hours. Those landing at Kigali International Airport will be picked up by our guide who will drive you to Ruhija, via Katuna border or Kyanika onwards to Ruhija. Please check our out our Uganda safaris from Kigali here.

 Who Can Book Happy Gorilla Group Permits

Gorilla permits for Bwindi are booked by region so those who want to trek happy gorilla groups must book gorilla permits for Ruhija region.  Gorilla permits can only be booked by registered and licensed tour operators in behalf of their clients.

Make sure you get in touch with any Licensed tour operator such as Encounter Africa Safaris, to relieve you of all the hassles involved in checking availability, reserving and eventually securing them.

To be allowed to book happy gorilla group permits, one must be 15 years and above as anyone below this will not be allowed. It's for this reason that passport details are always needed at booking as well as on the day of trekking. For more information about minimum and maximum age for gorilla trekking, kindly get in touch.

Book Ruhija Safaris To Visit Happy Gorilla Group With Confidence.

Gorilla trekking is an expensive but exciting and once in a lifetime experience that you should add on your to-do list. Booking any safari in Africa should be done with care and due diligence on all potential tour operators online.

Encounter Africa Safaris is a well proven and professional DMC for East Africa. We have been around for quite some time and our expertise in handling tours can be evidenced by the hundreds of positive reviews on TripAdvisor and safari bookings.

We have a green policy where all our tours are crafted mindful of the environment and people’s culture. Feel free to contact one of our experienced Safari designers and you will not regret.