How To Trek Nshanjare Gorilla Family In Rushaga Sector Of Bwindi

Nshanjare Gorilla Family In Rushaga, Are you wondering in how to trek Nshanjare gorilla family in Rushaga? Here is all the information you need about the newest habituated gorilla family called Nshanjare, how to book permits, how many family members, how to get to Rushaga, where this new gorilla group is found, as well as selected accommodation facilities for overnight stay as you plan to trek Nshanjare gorilla group located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

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In a letter dated 14^th April 2026 Ref TDO 101/01 from Uganda Wildlife Authority, addressed to all tour operators and signed by the Executive director of Uganda Wildlife, Shanjare gorilla family is now fully habituated and opened up for gorilla trekking.

How Nshanjare Gorilla Family Was Habituated.

Gorilla habituation is a process where a wild gorilla family group is trained to get used to the daily presence of human beings. Before habituation, Shanjare gorilla group was one of the many wild gorilla groups in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

This family was then identified by UWA rangers and staff and subjected to daily study, visits and habituation for more than two years. During these two years, researchers and rangers studied the behaviors of this group as a whole as well as separate individuals.

They also studied the composition and movements of this gorilla family. The next process was to name this family as well as individual gorillas in Nshajare gorilla group.

A mock excise followed to make sure that the Nshanjare gorilla family was fully accepting the presence of human beings. When all signs indicated that no stress appeared when visited, Uganda Wildlife Authority was then able to open in to the public (tourists) for trekking.

Encounter Africa safaris is now able to assist you trek Nshanjare gorilla group in the Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park if you book gorilla permits or an all-inclusive gorilla safari with us.

This is how you can trek Nshanjare gorilla group in Rushaga Region.

Each person or tourist can be assigned a gorilla family of his/her choice depending on interest and physical fitness. This is done on the day of trekking especially after the briefing. It is therefore not possible to request a specific gorilla family on booking but on the day of trekking.

For one to request to trek Nshanjare gorilla family, you must book Rushaga gorilla permits where Nshanjare gorilla group is located. This is because gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are booked per regions.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four regions of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Buhoma is in the north, Ruhija in the east while Nkuringo and Rushaga are in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Each region mentioned has resident gorilla groups, accommodation and is accessed differently. All these factors influence accessibility and choice when booking accommodation as well as gorilla permits.

When you contact Encounter Africa safaris with an interest of trekking Nshanjare gorillas, we will contact Uganda Wildlife Authority about availability of gorilla permits for Rushaga for your requested dates. Once we find availability of gorilla permits, we will then send you an invoice to make payment.

Once payment is done, we will proceed and secure your gorilla permits for Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Where needed, we will send you scanned copies of your gorilla permits for your records.

Encounter Africa safaris takes care of your transportation, accommodation and all services since all our tours are all inclusive. This means that your accommodation, transport and park entry fees to Rushaga will be catered for.

How To Request Nshanjare Gorilla Family On The Day Of Trekking

Gorilla trekking in all regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park starts with briefing at around 8:30 am which is a must attend. For this matter, you are advised to spend a night at a lodge closer to the starting point. Encounter Africa Safaris will take care of this.

After your breakfast at your lodge, our driver guide will transfer you to Rushaga park headquarters, where you will be joined by others. A briefing will be conducted to let you know about the dos and don'ts while with mountain gorillas, you will be allowed to ask any questions including your interests.

It's at this point that you should request to be grouped with those interested in trekking Shanjare gorilla family. Our guide will also be around to assist in this as well. Indeed, you will be granted and then be ready to head to the forest to find Nshanjare gorilla group.

Once it is found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with these magnificent giant individuals and thereafter return to your hotel for relaxation or afternoon optional activities.

How To Get To Rushaga Region Where Nshanjare Group Is Located

Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in Kisiro district southwestern Uganda. This region can be accessed both by road and air. While the main entry point in Uganda, is Entebbe International Airport, Rushaga region can be accessed easily via Kigali International Airport. In fact, it is better to fly into Kigali, drive 2-3 hours to Kyanika border and then drive one hour to Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park rather than landing in Entebbe international Airport for you to drive 9-11 hours to Rushaga.

Those using Entebbe International Airport will drive 9-11 hours from here to Rushaga. While the journey looks long, there is a lot to see en route. A stopover at the equator crossing, drum making at Mpambire, farms with long-horned cattle as you approach Mbarara city and the rolling hills of Kigezi will spice up your journey. Please book our Gorilla tours starting and ending in Entebbe or Kampala

Kigali International Airport to Rushaga is about 5-6 hours with a cross-border stoppage at Katuna or Chanika. See our Gorilla tours from Kigali here.

Whether you choose to land in Entebbe or Kigali, our drive guide will be waiting for you at the airport to welcome you and drive you to Rushaga for overnight. All our vehicles are very comfortable and come with drinking water. Our drivers are well experienced and are mostly English speaking.

For those who prefer flying to and from Rushaga. Daily scheduled flights are available for a minimum of two people per flight. Morning, mid-morning and afternoon flights can be arranged on your behalf when contacted.

Flights to Rushaga depart Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip from where Encounter Africa Safari guide will then transfer you by road to your respective Lodge for overnight. The same guide will again transfer you to Kisoro Airstrip for your flight back to Entebbe.

All flights from Entebbe to Kisoro take 1.5 or 2 hours, followed by a 45 or one-hour road transfer to your Lodge in Rushaga. Encounter Africa Safaris arranges Fly in Safaris to Bwindi to see gorillas. For all your tailor-made trips, please contact us.

Where To Stay In Rushaga Region Of Bwind Impenetrable National Park

For you to trek Nshanjare gorilla family, you must book gorilla permits for Rushaga as well as accommodation in Rushaga. Encounter Africa safaris will take care of this on your behalf. Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has accommodation options from Budget, Mid Range to Luxury.

Encounter Africa safaris selects these Lodges diligently and ensures that standards and service delivery is not compromised at any cost. Some of the top recommended lodges include, Gorilla Haven Lodge, Icumbi, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, then 4 Gorillas and Gorilla Leisure Lodge.

Please note that most Luxury Lodges in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are located in Nkuringo where you can then drive to Rushaga for gorilla trekking. These include, Gorilla Heights, Nkuringo Mountain Gorilla Lodge and Cloud Mountain Gorilla Lodge.

Book With Confidence, Book With Encounter Africa Safaris

Encounter Africa Safaris is a premier safari company with its head offices located in Entebbe Town. Highly reviewed on several platforms such as trip advisor and safari bookings, Encounter Africa safaris expertise is unmatched. Our safari consultants will assist you in suggesting, tailoring and making all safari bookings and arrangements on your behalf.