Why you should track Mountain gorillas in the Rushaga region of Bwindi

Trekking Mountain gorillas in the Rushaga sector in Bwindi is a unique experience that is caused by the high population of habituated mountain gorillas offering some of the best views while gorilla trekking. The Rushaga sector is home to seven habituated gorilla families, and there are about 64 gorilla permits printed per day for the Rushaga sector. Rushaga sector is also the only place in the world where gorilla habituation experience, which gives you 4 hours with the Mountain gorillas, is offered, and it has numerous accommodation facilities that you can choose from. The key reasons why you should trek Mountain gorillas in the Rushaga sector include the following:

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1. The high gorilla population in the sector

As earlier noted, the Rushaga sector has seven habituated gorilla families and these include the following.

Bweza gorilla family: Bweza gorilla family broke away from the Nshongi group with Kakono Silverbcak as the leader. After Kakono challenging the leadership of Bweza silverback, the gorilla family which comprises of 11 members was formed by the end of 2913 with two silverbacks, three blackbucks, two infants, one sub-adult and three adult females.

The Mishaya gorilla family: The Mishaya group is in the Mishaya area and consists of 10 gorilla family members. It broke away from the Nshongi group and although initially, it was made up of only seven gorillas, the number increased to 10 through winning members from other families as Mishaya is known for his battles.

Nshongi gorilla family: The Nshongi gorilla family was part of the Bweza family but due to wrangles broke away from the group which initially had 18 members. After Kaono broke away the Nshongi group remained with only 7 gorillas and later on the number increased to 8 after they got a baby.  The name Nshongi is derived from the river in Bwindi where the family was first seen by researchers.

Kahungye gorilla family: The Kahungye gorilla family was opened to the public in 2011 for trekking. . Kahungye consists of 12 gorilla members which are led by the Rumanzi silverback. Some members of the Kahungye group broke off after many conflicts and formed the Busingye gorilla family.

Busingye gorilla family: Busingye is the only gorilla family in Rushaga whose trek permits are handled by the local office of UWA in Bwindi. It is an active and playful family with 12 family members and the dominant silverback is known as Rumanzi. Some researchers believe that there might be a re-emergence within the group because of the increased hostility between Kahungye group and Busingye group.

Rwigi gorilla family: Rwigi separated from the main group known as Kahungye and the moment it is led by the silverback Rwigi. It was introduced in 2024  and it has 10 gorillas: 1 silverback, five females, two juveniles and two babies. Tourists who visit the national park can now trek the Rwigi gorilla family and create lasting memories with your group.

Bikingi gorilla family: The Bikingi gorilla family was introduced to the public in the year 2012 when it broke away from the Mishaya. After the breakaway, some of the members were seen with other non-habituated gorillas, and this is when they were set up for habituation, creating the Bikini gorilla family. The leadership of the group has not yet been fully confirmed, but it comprises 8 members, 1 silverback, 2 sub-adults, 5 adult females, 3 juveniles and 7 infants.

Mucunguzi gorilla family:  Led by the dominant silverback Mucunguzi after he left Bweza, the family now has 10 habituated gorilla family members. Note that the number of family members is bound to increase or reduce due to several factors like a new birth, death, and conflicts, among others. It is believed that the Mucunguzi gorilla family was formed by the solitary Mucunguzi silverback after a serious conflict and fight which led to Mucunguzi being chased out of the Bweza gorilla family. He was 3rd in command in Bweza and after living alone for some time, he attacked the Bikingi gorilla family and took away some gorillas especially the females which led to the formation of this group.

Note: The numbers of gorilla family members keep on changing because of newborn babies, breakaways due to fights, death and immigration, among others.

The Tindatine family: This was also introduced and opened to the lublin in 2024  and it was formed after the conflicts between the dominant silverbacks. It is led by a silverback and has 8 gorilla family members.

2. The gorilla habituation experience

The gorilla habituation experience is a unique specialised gorilla trek where tourists have the chance and opportunity to spend 4 hours with a semi-habituated gorila family. The habituation process is where the gorillas become accustomed to and tolerate the presence of humans without being violent toward them. It is an experience that provides a bigger insight into the lives of the Mountain gorillas unlike the standard gorilla trek where you have to observe and take photos for an hour. Gorilla habituation experience involves following the semi-habituated gorillas around with researchers and rangers as you learn more about their behaviours. The exercise starts in the morning at the park headquarters with a briefing from the guides about what to expect during the experience. Unlike the standard trek, habituation only allows a maximum of 4 people per session and these spend four hours with the gorillas. With a successful mock habituation process, the family is opened to trekking by visitors. You can also ask all the questions about mountain gorillas, and you get to learn about the individual personalities of the gorillas while they are in their natural habitat.

The gorilla habituation permits, which at $1500 for international tourists (foreign non-residents), $1000 for both citizens of other African countries and foreign residents and UGX 750,000 for East African residents, can be purchased through Encounter Africa Safaris who have experience in organizing gorilla trips to Rushaga sector in Bwindi.

3. Accessibility of the Rushaga sector

The Rushaga sector is easily accessed due to the good road network system making it the perfect choice for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The sector can be accessed by both air and road transport and the choice depends on your choice of transportation. It will take you about 8 to 9 hours’ drive from Kampala to Rushaga which is located in the southern part of Bwindi using the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route or you can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip and then you have to drive to the park headquarters using a 4x4 safari vehicle.

You can drive from Kigali in Rwanda. This is also a shorter distance as compared to driving from Kampala, and it takes between 4 to 5 hours, but you need to have all the proper documentation for crossing from Rwanda to Uganda and then back.

4. The wide range of accommodation facilities

Rushaga sector has a wide range of accommodation in terms of lodges, hotels and tented camps. These are categorized into three categories: budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. Note that if you are trekking Mountain gorillas in Rushaga, you have to book accommodation within the same sector to ease transportation on the morning of the trek. Accommodation facilities need to be booked in advance during both the peak and low season. The type of accommodation that you choose will be determined by your budget and the facilities that you want to use.

The accommodation facilities in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include the Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gahiza Island Retreat, and Bwindi Jungle Lodge. Karungi Camp, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge among others.

The gorilla trekking experience in the Rushaga sector:

Gorilla tracking in  Rushaga starts early morning with the tour guides and armed rangers at the headquarters during the briefing. The trek can take 2 hours from the start of the trek, depending on where the mountain gorillas are located, your speed and your physical fitness. Mountain gorillas are always on the move, and when there is a new baby in the family, a celebration or a fight, it becomes hard to spot them.

And the weather as well especially the rainy season when the routes are wet and slippery leads to delays during the trek. When the food they have been feeding on is done, they relocate to a different location in search of food and in most cases, they relocate into the forests.

The cost of a gorilla safari in the Rushaga sector

Three packages are considered when planning a gorilla safari to Rushaga and these are budget, mid-range and luxury. The travelling budget that you have will determine the cost of the safari. There are several factors that affect the cost of the safari in Rushaga, and one of these is the gorilla trek permit, which is $800 for foreign non-residents per person. The foreign residents with work permits or resident permits pay USD 700 and UGX300,000 for  EAC residents/citizens.

Other factors include the safari activities booked together with gorilla trekking, some of which include game drives, cultural trips, birding watching, and nature walks, among others. The number of people also included in the safari will affect the cost; that is, the more people included in the safari, the less cost per person and vice versa. The season of travel (peak or low) greatly affects the cost of the safari. For example, booking in peak season leads to a higher cost in the safari packages as compared to the low season. The cost of the safari is affected when you choose a luxury, mid-range or budget-friendly safari packagegher the cost.

What are the rules of gorilla tracking in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi

• Littering in Rushaga is prohibited because the rubbish alters the forest’s natural environment
• Trekkers who are sick and with evidence are not allowed to trek the gorillas to protect them from infections
• Feeding  Mountain gorillas is prohibited, and therefore, you have to eat when you are 300 meters from the gorillas. This was set up so that the gorillas do not depend on humans for food and hunt on their own.
• Spitting and destroying any vegetation within the Rushaga sector is not allowed. Gorillas are highly susceptible to diseases, especially viral infections, which are dangerous to their body and entire families.
• Keep a distance of 7 to 10 meters to prevent spreading germs and infections to them.
• Trekking the mountain gorillas in Rushaga can only be done by visitors 12 years and above.
• Only an hour is allowed with the gorillas after you meet them.
• A flashless camera is the only one that is allowed when taking photos of mountain gorillas.
• After locating the gorilla family, stand close to each other and do not leave the group at all times. Mountain gorillas are sensitive and suspicious even after undergoing habituation.
• Never surround the gorillas as this will agitate them. Instead, ensure you keep your distance.
• Talk or communicate in low tones so that you do not scare them
• In case you fall sick with a communicable disease, volunteer to stay behind because you will not be allowed to trek the gorillas.

When to visit Rushaga sector in Bwindi

Gorilla trekking in Rushaga is carried out by visitors all year round. However, the dry months, July to September and December to January, are the recommended best time for gorilla trekking and the habituation experience in the sector. Mountain gorillas are full of energy and can easily be tracked during the dry season, the trails have less vegetation and are not slippery. In the wet season, which is normally from March to May and November, the gorillas usually migrate to the slopes, making it hard to trek and locate them. However, for tourists who are looking at trekking with fewer crowds and enjoy the gorilla habituation experience, the wet season is the recommended time.

Rushaga sector is highly recommended for tourists but you have to plan in advance due to the high demand for gorilla trekking. Contact Encounter Africa Safaris for more information.