Gorilla Trekking Experience In The Rushaga Sector Of Bwindi : There are four sectors in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest where you can begin your mountain gorilla trekking Safari experience. Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija are the other sectors for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
There are four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where you can go gorilla trekking, but for outdoor enthusiasts and those who love the outdoors, there is more to do and see nearby. Rushaga is the best area in Bwindi for gorilla tracking in Uganda because it has the most gorilla families, including Busingye, Bweza, Kahungye, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, and Nshongi. Due to the fact that Bwindi National Park is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, the likelihood of seeing gorillas in Rushaga and Bwindi is 98%.
Due to its stunning natural surroundings and distinctive ecological features, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the southwest of the country, along the Rift Valley.
Along with being the most scenic area of Bwindi National Park, the Rushaga area is also the only location where you can choose a 4-hour gorilla habituation experience. This makes the Rushaga area, along with the Nkuringo area, the best place in Uganda for gorilla trekking safari experience.
Even though the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) recommends purchasing your gorilla ticket at least three months in advance, Rushaga rarely experiences a shortage of gorilla permits because they sell up to 40 to 56 permits daily. This implies that you might be fortunate to obtain a last-minute permit to view gorillas in the wild or to travel in a group of five rather than the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s maximum group size of eight tourists. You will have more room to photograph and observe the habituated gorilla family during your limited encounter of 60 minutes with these kind primates because there are fewer people in the hiking group.
RUSHAGA, UGANDA: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO GORILLA TREKKING IN THE RUSHAGA SECTOR
With eight habituated gorilla families, including the Busingye gorilla group, Nshongi gorilla group, Bweza gorilla group, Mishaya gorilla family, Kahungye gorilla group, Mucunguzi gorilla group, Bwigi gorilla family, and Bikyingi gorilla group, Rushaga, Uganda, is renowned for having the highest density of mountain gorillas in the world. For those who are interested in observing primates in Uganda, all of these are habituated and prepared for tracking. A visitor to this location is 100% guaranteed to see these kind primates in their natural habitats because, according to the most recent findings, the Rushaga Uganda sector is home to over 200 mountain gorillas.
Rushaga Sector is the only place where gorilla habituation experiences are conducted, in contrast to other sectors in Bwindi. Rushaga, Uganda, is the best place to go if you want to spend more time with the gorillas of Bwindi (an hour or more with gorillas).
KEY ATTRACTIONS IN THE RUSHAGA, UGANDA, SECTOR
Gorilla trekking in Rushaga
In Rushaga, Uganda, mountain gorilla trekking is the top tourist attraction. The largest concentration of gorillas is found in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, where the majority of tourists who travel there specifically to track gorillas in their natural habitats arrive. Eight gorilla families have been habituated in the Rushaga Uganda sector, and they are all well-prepared for tourist trekking. According to a survey conducted in 2021–2022, Rushaga is home to over 200 mountain gorillas, making it the ideal location to visit and interact with the primates.
You can schedule a quick gorilla trekking safari to Rushaga, such as a 3-day gorilla trekking tour to Rushaga, if you want to see these great apes. It will be an exciting adventure to see the gorillas. In the Rushaga sector, we organize both lengthy and brief tours to the Bwindi forest, and many of our customers have expressed appreciation for them. It should be noted that obtaining a gorilla permit, which costs $700 per person, is necessary before going gorilla trekking in Rushaga.
Gorilla Habitat in Rushaga
Gorilla habituation is another exciting thing to do in Rushaga, Uganda. Simply put, gorilla habitat means more time spent with mountain gorillas. Usually, if you reserve a gorilla tour and go trekking, you are not permitted to stay with the gorilla family for longer than an hour. However, you will need to reserve a gorilla habituation safari in the Bwindi/Rushaga sector if you want to spend more time with these endangered primates. We do organize brief gorilla acclimatization trips to Uganda, such as a 3-day acclimatization safari to Bwindi. A gorilla habituation permit, which costs $1500 for foreign residents and $1,000 for foreign non-residents, is required in order to spend more time with gorillas. The cost of a gorilla habituation permit for Ugandan citizens is Sh. 750,000.
FREQUENTLY ASKED SAFARI QUESTIONS (RUSHAGA SECTOR GORILLA TOUR GUIDE)
What is the best time to book a gorilla safari in Rushaga, Uganda?
The two dry seasons of the year are the ideal times to reserve a gorilla safari in the Rushaga, Uganda sector. This occurs from June through September and from December through February. This is due to the ease of access to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, where Rushaga Sector is located, as opposed to the wet and slick conditions during the rainy seasons. Additionally, during dry seasons, gorilla trekking in the Rushaga sector is easy because the gorillas come out to play in the sun, making it easy to see them. Rushaga’s gorillas tend to hide during the rainy season, making it challenging to see them while trekking. With Rushaga Uganda, you can, however, schedule a brief gorilla tracking tour at any time of the year, and we promise a rewarding experience with the primates.
Is it safe to go gorilla trekking in Rushaga, Uganda, after the COVID-19 pandemic?
After the global COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda is now safe to visit as of 2023. After the pandemic, tourists can now be assured that it is safe to travel and enjoy gorilla trekking in the Rushaga sector. We guarantee that you will have a 100% chance of seeing gorillas in Rushaga’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s dense forest. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently planning both long and short trips to Rushaga.
How much does a gorilla trekking safari in Rushaga, Uganda, cost?
The price of a gorilla trekking tour to Rushaga Sector is determined by the type of lodging a visitor plans to use, the number of days the visitor plans to spend in Rushaga, and the number of safari participants. One should budget around $2000 for 3-days Uganda gorilla trekking safari experience.
How much does a gorilla permit for Rushaga gorilla trekking cost?
A gorilla trekking permit for the Rushaga sector costs Sh. 250,000 for Ugandan citizens, $500 for foreign residents, and $700 per person for foreign non-residents.
How can I obtain a gorilla trekking permit for the Rushaga sector?
You only need to get in touch with us to have us make the reservation on your behalf if you want to get a gorilla permit for Rushaga. Another option is to directly reserve the permit by getting in touch with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
How much does a Rushaga gorilla habituation permit cost?
Rushaga sector gorilla habituation permits cost $1,500 per person. This covers the cost of park admission, a knowledgeable ranger, and a gorilla habituation experience.
How can I obtain a gorilla habituation permit for Rushaga Sector, Uganda?
Do you want to participate in the Rushaga Sector gorilla habituation experience? Without charging you extra, we can assist you in obtaining a valid gorilla habituation permit in the Rushaga sector. Additionally, you can get one by getting in touch with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and asking to reserve a gorilla habituation permit for the Rushaga sector.
How long does habituation last for gorillas in Rushaga, Uganda?
In the Rushaga, Uganda, sector, gorilla habituation takes two to eight hours. A tourist will be able to spend more time with mountain gorillas in their natural habitats while on a gorilla habituation safari in Rushaga.
What is the difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation in the Rushaga sector?
In Uganda’s Rushaga sector, habituation with the gorillas takes place over a longer period of time than gorilla trekking. In contrast to gorilla trekking, where visitors are only allowed to interact with gorillas for an hour or less, gorilla habituation allows visitors to interact with gorillas for up to two hours.
How long does Rushaga, Uganda, gorilla trekking take?
Rushaga gorilla trekking lasts 1–8 hours. The gorilla family that is trekked determines how long a gorilla adventure lasts in Bwindi (Rushaga Sector).
At what time does gorilla trekking in Rushaga Sector start?
The first day of mountain gorilla trekking in the Rushaga sector begins at 7:00 a.m. with a briefing at the park headquarters. Therefore, it is advised that visitors get a head start on the day of the gorilla tracking and arrive promptly at the tracking starting point.
What gorilla groups are there in Uganda’s Rushaga Sector?
Eight well-established gorilla groups can be found in Rushaga Sector: the Busingye gorilla group, the Nshongi gorilla group, the Bweza gorilla group, the Mishaya gorilla family, the Kahungye gorilla group, the Mucunguzi gorilla group, the Bwigi gorilla family, and the Bikyingi gorilla group.
What should I carry on a gorilla trekking safari to Rushaga, Uganda?
A long-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved pants, a hat, a camera, a rain jacket, a pair of glasses, gloves, a water bottle, and hiking boots are a few items to pack.
Where should I stay on a safari to Rushaga, Uganda?
We have suggested accommodations (lodges) where a tourist can consider spending the night, and these are:
- Budget/Basic Options: Haven Lodge Rushaga or Nshongi Gorilla Camp
- Mid-range: Gorilla Valley Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Luxury options: Gorilla Safari Lodge, Clouds Lodge, and Chameleon Hill Lodge
HOW TO GET TO RUSHAGA, UGANDA
Are you planning to visit Rushaga, Uganda? So you must understand how to get there. This is crucial for the majority of visitors, especially if it’s your first time visiting Bwindi.
You can travel by air or by road to reach Rusha, Uganda. Rushaga, Uganda, can be reached by road by beginning in Kampala and traveling through Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, and the Rushaga sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the south. On the road, this takes 8 to 9 hours.
Rushaga, Uganda, can be reached by air by taking a flight from Kisoro Airstrip at Entebbe International Airport. After that, you can drive to the Rushaga, Uganda, gorilla trekking area. This is the quickest mode of transportation, especially for travelers who can afford it.
Rwanda is another route to take to reach Rushaga, Uganda. Drive through the Cyanika border crossing into Uganda and then to Rushaga, Uganda, after arriving at the Kigali international airport. On the road, this takes three to four hours. Compared to driving from Kampala to Bwindi Forest, this route is less taxing.
GORILLA GROUPS IN RUSHAGA, UGANDA SECTOR
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Uganda is the Rushaga gorilla sector, which is situated in Bwindi’s southern region. It has the most mountain gorillas, with 8 habituated families or groups, including
- Busingye gorilla group
- Nshongi gorilla group
- Bweza gorilla group
- Mishaya Gorilla family
- Kahungye gorilla group
- Mucunguzi gorilla group
- Bwigi gorilla family
- Bikyingi gorilla group
