Bwindi Rushaga Sector Guide: Trekking and Gorilla Families.

The Rushaga sector is situated in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Kisoro district. This sector is the best for gorilla trekking since it has the highest number of habituated gorilla families. This makes it a unique sector among all other sectors since tourists spend four hours with the gorilla families observing their behaviors, feeding habits, and how they groom their young ones. This sector offers over 64 gorilla permits each day for tourists to experience the magical time with the endangered species

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is situated in the southwestern part of Uganda. It is world-renowned for hosting half of the world’s endangered species, and the main tourist attraction is gorilla trekking.

How to get to Rushaga sector

The Rushaga sector, located in the southern part of Bwindi, can be accessed by road and air transport. By road, tourists travel from Kampala via the Masaka-Mbarara route to the headquarters of the Rushaga sector. This takes about 8 to 9 hours.

Another alternative to access this sector by road is from Kigali, Rwanda, from Kigali International Airport via the Cyanika or Gatuna border, which is about 2 to 3 hours, and then connect to this sector. From the border to the park, it takes a one-hour drive.

By air, tourists should book domestic flights through Uganda Aero link from either Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airfield.

Gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector

The Rushaga sector on a Uganda safari hosts over eight gorilla families since the area is dominant in the high hills. It is the only one that has fully habituated the mountain gorillas to get used to human presence. Among the gorilla families are the Nshongi gorilla family, which is the largest gorilla family comprising 36 mountain gorillas; the Mishaya gorilla family, which consists of eight gorillas and three infants; the Kahungye gorilla family, which has 13 gorillas with three silverbacks; and the Busingye gorilla family, with 9 mountain gorillas with one silverback, among others.

Gorilla habituation experience in this sector enables tourists to spend four hours with the endangered species. This experience is done alongside researchers and trained rangers. While gorilla trekking in this sector is where tourists spend strictly one hour with the mountain gorillas. Before trekking, tourists are first briefed about the safety guidelines and rules to maintain while in the jungle. The trekking and habituation experiences start at 8:30 am after the briefing. Then you are guided through the thick rainforest with a trained guide and ranger.

Gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga sector

The gorilla habituation is where the mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence as they are in their natural habitats. It is an incredible encounter where tourists spend more time with the mountain gorillas compared to gorilla trekking encounters. For each habituation safari, tourists are first briefed and grouped in groups of four people. This is done because mountain gorillas get stressed when people gather around them. The habituation experience is a life-changing adventure where one gets close to the endangered species despite being with the researchers and tour rangers.

The gorilla habituation permit costs $1,500 for foreign non-residents, $1,000 for foreign residents, and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens. This experience is not done by everybody because it costs a lot of money and efforts are being required.

Best time to visit Rushaga sector

If you are planning to carry out your gorilla trekking adventure in the Rushaga sector, you are required to know the best time to visit this sector to ensure a successful encounter. The best time is during the dry seasons between the months of June and August and from December to February. In this month, the roads accessing this sector are less slippery and muddy. The skies are very clear, and the vegetation is less dense, making it easy to take photos.

While during the rainy season in the months of September to November and from March to May, the roads are always flooded, making it difficult to access the sector. The forest trails are muddy and slippery, hence the difficulty in navigating through the thick forest. Some tourists prefer this season because accommodation facilities are discounted and it also favors travelers who love less congested areas.

Accommodation in Rushaga sector

For your trekking experiences, accommodation facilities provide a great spot for relaxation and comfort. These lodges range from budget, luxury, and mid-range facilities. They offer cozy comfort and the freshness of the natural forest. These lodges include Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mountain Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, and others.

Packing list for gorilla trekking

The packing list for gorilla trekking is essential because it requires tourists to plan accordingly for their adventure. The packing list includes documents, that is to say, the passport, national ID, and the gorilla permit; hiking boots that help you navigate through the steep slope; a rain jacket since rain in Bwindi can pour at any one moment; toiletries; sunglasses and sunscreen; a camera and binoculars; and insect repellent to avoid insect bites, among others.

Other activities in Rushaga sector

Being the host of the highest number of gorilla families, the Rushaga sector has various activities where tourists of all ages and abilities can engage. These tourism activities include the Batwa cultural tour, where you will be able to interact with the indigenous people, learn about their unique culture and traditional way of living, learn their survival skills like hunting techniques, and support their craft business, among others.

Bird watching, since it is a home to the different bird species, comprises 23 Albertine rift endemics, and the time to spot these species is during the morning hours. The various birds spotted include the African green broadbill, the short-tailed warbler, and others.

The nature walks, which are an incredible activity that allows tourists to explore the ecosystem at their own pace. It is a guided walk adventure that leads you through the different forest trails. Through these, tourists are able to spot the primates like the monkeys, chimpanzees, bush pigs, duikers, and the giant forest hog, among others. These nature walks are experienced through the different forest trails, which include the Ivy River Trail, the Rushura Hill Trail, and the Mubwindi Swamp Trail.

In conclusion

The Rushaga sector is the best for any gorilla safari, let it be gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experiences. This sector provides a life-changing encounter with the endangered species in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.