Buhoma Sector in Bwindi Park | Gorilla Trekking.

The Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is the easily most accessible sector in Bwindi for gorilla trekking and for first-time travelers. It is inclusive of the four sectors that provide incredible adventures to the tourists. It is the first sector where the first gorilla family was habituated and well known for its development. The Buhoma sector is unique since it is the original entry point of the park with outstanding trails, a variety of accommodation options, and a smooth experience for gorilla safaris. This sector is located next to the park headquarters, making it easy for tourists to access permit allocations. The Buhoma sector is favorable for first-time travelers because it has well-developed structures, less challenging terrain, fast, reliable trails, and cozy accommodations for an incredible adventure.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, situated in the southwestern part of Uganda, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with rich biodiversity. It has four sectors, namely the Buhoma sector, the Ruhija sector, and the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. It spans a 321 square kilometer area with montane and tropical lowland vegetation.

Getting to Buhoma sector

The Buhoma sector can be accessed in various ways. Tourists can access the Buhoma sector through Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha region, known for tree-climbing lions, and this takes about 3 hours. By road, from Kampala via the Masaka-Mbarara route, this takes 8 to 9 hours using a 4×4 vehicle. Alternatively, domestic flights can be booked through Uganda Aero Links, where flights are scheduled from Entebbe or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi Airfield or Kisoro Airstrip, and this takes about 3 to 4 hours. And then connect to the sector by car, and this takes about 1 and a half hours depending on the road structure.

Gorilla trekking Experience in Buhoma sector

Gorilla trekking safaris are the most tremendous tourism activities that offer life-changing experiences where tourists spend one hour with the mountain gorillas. Tourists hike through the rugged, steep terrain and thick vegetation and walk through the narrow forest trails. It is a guided encounter where tourists help you spot the mountain gorillas in their habitats. Some of the habituated gorilla families in the Buhoma sector include the Mubare family, the Habinyanja gorilla family, the Muyambi family, among others.

Trekking in this sector starts in the morning around 8:30 am, where you are first briefed about the safety rules and regulations, for example, maintaining a 7-meter distance from the mountain gorillas to prevent disease spread, minimizing voices in the jungle, avoiding littering the park, and using flashless cameras in case of photographs since light agitates the gorillas, among others. When the briefing is done, you are then divided into groups comprising eight people, and each group is given a gorilla family to locate. The trekking sessions may last from 2 to 6 hours depending on how fast you locate the gorilla families.

Other activities in Buhoma sector

Besides gorilla trekking, different tourism activities can be done in this sector, which include touring the Batwa pygmies that are also known as the forest dwellers. These are the original people of the Bwindi Forest that were later evicted due to conservation measures. Guided nature walks that help you explore the depth of the wildlife and the ecosystem of Bwindi. These walks are done through the forest trail, where you are able to spot the various creatures, like the primates, for example, the monkeys and chimpanzees; the different plant species; reptiles; and amphibians, among others. These trails include the Ivy River Trail, the Munyaga Waterfall Trail, the Rushura Hill Trail, and others.

The birding is a tourist spot for a variety of bird species since Bwindi is a paradise for over 350 bird species. Cultural experiences, which involve visiting the different tribes and the people surrounding the park and learning the traditional skills of the local people, like forest hunting, storytelling, making beer out of the local brew, and craft-making, among others.

Entry requirements and permits

Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector is the most known tourism activity in Bwindi National Park. This activity enables tourists to observe and see the mountain gorillas’ behaviors, feeding habits, and how they groom their young ones. Before visiting the mountain gorillas, tourists should have the gorilla trekking permits that cost $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000. Gorilla permits are in the form of tickets that are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to persons above the age of 15 years. These permits can be booked through a well-trusted licensed tour operator. The gorilla trekking permits include the price of the tour guides and rangers, park entrance, and community share.

Booking the gorilla permits early, at least 3 to 6 months before the trekking day, ensures that tourists are well organized for their trekking safari, and this also prevents panic and stress. Especially during the peak seasons between the months of June and August and from December to February, the permits are competitive and get sold out very quickly. It is better to always be in the know of knowing which season you would love to experience your trekking adventure.

Accommodation options in Buhoma sector

The Buhoma sector on a Uganda safari comprises a number of accommodation facilities where you can relax after your gorilla trekking safari. These facilities range from luxury lodges to mid-range and budget-friendly lodges, including Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Silverback Lodges, Engagi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, and Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, among others.

Best time to visit Buhoma sector

The Buhoma sector can be visited all year round, but the best time is during the dry season. This season is also known as the peak season from the month of June to August and from December to February. Here the park experiences little rainfall, the skies are clear, and the forest trails are less slippery and muddy, making it easy to participate in the various activities in this sector.

What to pack when visiting Buhoma sector

The essential requirements to pack for any gorilla safari in the Buhoma sector include documents like the gorilla permit, passport or national ID, rain jacket, long-sleeved clothing to prevent insect bites, hiking boots, garden gloves, a first aid kit for fast emergencies, a camera, insect repellent to prevent insect bites, among others.

In conclusion

The Buhoma sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most known sectors, situated in the northern part of the park in the Kanungu district. It offers breathtaking adventures and less challenging encounters due to the gentle terrain.