Bwindi Sector Guide: Choosing the Best Area to Visit.

Which Bwindi sector is best for you? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is nestled in the southwestern part of Uganda. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site covering an area of about 321 square kilometers with montane vegetation and tropical lowland vegetation. It is a home to half of the world’s endangered species and also has a rich biodiversity with over 120 mammals, 200 butterfly species, 350 various bird species, and over 1,000 flowering plants. It is located in the western part of the rift valley bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bwindi National Park has four sectors, namely, the Buhoma sector, the Ruhija sector, the Rushaga sector, and the Nkuringo sector.

Buhoma sector

Nestled in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is the most known and easily accessible sector in Bwindi. It’s famous for having the first habituated gorilla family, with four gorilla families. Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector starts with a briefing in the morning at around 8am about the safety rules and guidelines following the trekking sessions. After briefing, you are divided into groups of eight people since mountain gorillas get stressed when people are crowded along their habitants. Each group is given a gorilla family to track. When a gorilla family is spotted on a Uganda safari, tourists are given one hour to spend with mountain gorillas observing their behaviors, feeding habits, how they groom their infants, and other things. The treks range from 1 hour to 6 or 7 hours depending on how fast you locate the gorillas.

The Buhoma sector, located in the northern part of Bwindi National Park, can be accessed by road from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale to the Buhoma headquarters, which takes about 8 to 9 hours. This sector can also be accessed by air transport through booking a domestic flight with Uganda Aero Link from either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airport to Kihihi Airstrip. This takes about 3 to 4 hours. For tourists with combined tours in Queen Elizabeth National Park, they can drive via the Ishasha sector, known for climbing lions, to the Buhoma sector, and this takes about 2 to 3 hours.

When choosing the best accommodation in the Buhoma sector, consider the location from the trekking or starting point of adventure, road accessibility, lodge services, and the cost of the lodge. Buhoma safari lodges include Silverback Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, and Haven Lodge, which provide free parking spaces, Wi-Fi, laundry services, and cozy bedrooms for relaxation.

Pros of Buhoma sector

• Buhoma sector has a less challenging terrain with gentle slopes since it is located in the lowland areas of the park.
• It is easily accessible and highly recommendable for first-time travelers since the roads that access this sector are well maintained compared to other sectors.
• It has the highest range of luxury lodges that provide high-end service to its visitors.

Cons

• It is difficult to access this sector when tourists use the Rwanda route.
• Gorilla permits in this sector get sold out quickly and are highly congested, especially in the dry season.
• It has few habituated gorilla families compared to the Rushaga sector, which makes it difficult to carry out habituation safaris.
• It has few mid-range and budget-friendly accommodation facilities.

Ruhija sector

The Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi National Park. It is a paradise for birders with over 400 different bird species recorded, including the 23 Albertine rift endemics and the migratory birds. It is one of the best sectors for birding. The different bird species spotted in the Ruhija sector include the African Green Broadbill, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and Grauer’s Warbler, among others. These birds are spotted along the Mubwindi Swamp Trail and the Bamboo Trail.

This sector is a home to three habituated mountain gorilla families, namely, the Bitukura gorilla family, the Oruzongo family, and the Kyaguriro family. Over 16 gorilla trekking permits are issued each day for the trekking safari. Treks in this sector take about 6 to 8 hours depending on how fast you locate the gorilla families. One hour is strictly given to you to observe the endangered species.

Pros in Ruhija sector

• Due to the limited number of gorilla families to track, it is suitable for tourists who love less congested areas.
• It is the only sector where tourists can sight the forest elephants and the panoramic view of the Virunga volcanoes.
• It has the best birding trail, known as the Mubwindi Swamp trail, where you can spot a variety of bird species.
• It is close to Lake Bunyonyi, providing a variety of activities tourists can engage in, like canoeing, boat cruises, and others.

Cons

• Due to the high elevation and the steep terrain, it offers challenging treks compared to the Buhoma sector.
• It has a limited number of luxury accommodation facilities and mostly favors mid-range and budget travelers.
• Has a limited number of habituated gorilla families.

Rushaga sector

Nestled in the southern part of Bwindi National Park. The Rushaga sector is a renowned sector for gorilla habituation experiences, unlike the gorilla trekking experiences. The gorilla habituation encounters provide tourists an opportunity to spend four hours with the endangered species. It mostly favors photographers, researchers, and conservationists to observe and learn the different behaviors of the mountain gorillas. It hosts over 10 gorilla families, offering the highest number of gorilla permits per day. The gorilla families in this sector include the Nshongi family, the Mishaya gorilla family, the Kahungye family, and the Busingye gorilla family, among others.

Accommodation facilities that can be booked in this sector include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, and others.

Pros of Rushaga sector

• It is the only sector in Bwindi National Park that provides a life-changing experience where tourists spend four hours with the mountain gorillas.
• Has the largest number of gorilla families compared to other sectors.
• Offers the highest number of gorilla trekking permits per day.
• The easiest route to access this sector is through the Cyanika or Gatuna borders of Rwanda.
• Has a wide range of accommodation facilities from luxury to budget lodges.

Cons

• By road from Entebbe or Kampala, routes take about 9 to 10 hours, which is a long trip for tourists who prefer short distances.
• Has rugged, steep terrain and deep valleys.

Nkuringo sector

Nestled in the southwestern part of Bwindi National Park. The Nkuringo sector is located in the high altitude of the park, over 2500 m above sea level. This sector best suits tourists that prefer physically challenging treks and hikes. This sector has four gorilla families that are trekked per year, which include the Christmas gorilla family, the Nkuringo gorilla family, the Bushaho gorilla family, and the Posho gorilla family. Tourists are able to spot the panoramic view of the Virunga volcanoes while trekking in this sector.

Accommodation facilities in this sector range from budget, mid-range, and luxury lodges, including the following: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla lodge, Nkuringo o Gorilla camp, among others

Pros in Nkuringo sector

• For tourists that love less crowded areas, it is the perfect spot.
• Has breathtaking scenery of the Rwenzori Mountains and the Virunga Volcanoes.
• Easily accessed from the Rwanda border of Cyanika and Katuna, making it the perfect choice for combined adventures.

Cons

• Has the most physically demanding and challenging treks due to the steep terrain.
• Has few accommodation facilities.
• Does not favor first-time travelers.
• Long drive from the Entebbe / Kampala routes

Best sector for the different tourists

Depending on the four sectors, each sector ensures that all tourists have an incredible encounter in Bwindi National Park:

• Rushaga sector is the perfect sector for tourists like researchers that like to experience the habituation encounters
•  The Nkuringo sector is perfect for travelers that love physically demanding and challenging trekking sessions.
•  The Buhoma sector is the best for first-time travelers and luxury tourists and cultural travelers.
• Ruhija sector is the best paradise for birders.

In conclusion

When planning for your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, consider the various activities, trekking sectors, travel documents, and accommodation facilities that will provide a successful and life-changing encounter with the endangered species.