Gorilla families in Buhoma sector: Buhoma sector is one of the four gorilla trekking sectors located in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park in Kanungu district. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and it’s known for harboring half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is also done in Rushaga sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south.

Buhoma sector is a home of five habituated gorilla families namely Mubare, Rushegura, Habinyanja, Muyambi and Katwe gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis.

Mubare gorilla family

Mubare is the oldest gorilla family in Buhoma sector and it was the first gorilla family to be trekked by tourists in 1993. At the time of habitation, Mubare family was comprised of 12 members and led by Ruhondeza silverback who died in june 2012 due to old age leaving the family under the leadership of the alpha male Kanyonyi. Kanyonyil later fell down from the tree and sustained injuries which made him weak and could not fight for his family hence losing it to Malaya silverback. The Mubare gorilla family is now comprised of 9 members including Malaya the dominant silverback, four females namely Nyampazi, Karungi, Twesiime, Buzinza and 4 babies.

Habinyanja gorilla family

Habinyanja is another gorilla family in Buhoma sector that was habituated in 1996 and it derives its name from a Rukiga word Nyanja which means a place with water. Habinyanja gorilla family was composed of 25 members at the time of habituation and dominated by Mugurusi silverback who passed on due to old age. Mugurusis death caused succession disputes as the silverback’s Rwansigazi, Mwirima and Makara were fighting for leadership. Rwansigazi and Mwirima shared power and led the family until 2002 when they separated and 12 members including 2 silverbacks, 2 blackbucks, 3 adult females, 3 sub-adults and 2 juveniles followed Rwansigazi and maintained the name Haninyanja while others followed Mwirima and were named Rushegura gorilla family.

Rushegura gorilla family

Rushegura is a gorilla family in Buhoma sector that separated from Haninyanja gorilla family in 2002. The breakoff was led by Mwirima silverback who was a strong silverback and he broke off from Habinyanja family with 7 members and in 2010, the group had increased to 19 members including 2 silverbacks, 3 blackbuck, 6 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 3 juveniles and 4 infants . Mwirima later died and the group is now under the leadership of a blackbuck, Gorilla families in Buhoma sector

Katwe gorilla family

Katwe gorilla family was the fourth group to be habituated in Buhoma sector. Katwe group is comprised of 9 members including 1 silverback, 4 adult females, 2 blackbucks, and 2 infants.

Muyambi gorilla family

Muyambi gorilla family is the newest gorilla group in Buhoma sector and it was open for trekking in 2019 with 6 members. Muyambi was once a member of Mubare family which was the first gorilla family in Buhoma sector and separated from the family to form its own group.

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be subdivide into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek, park rangers and an experienced park guide who is well conversant with gorilla trekking trails to follow. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Buhoma sector takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primates, plant and tree species, listen to sweet sounds of bird species among others. Once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment where you will be able to learn more about their behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record the breathtaking moments to show people back home after the safari.

Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Buhoma sector

A gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park Buhoma sector costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.

Best time to go gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the national park therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.

Where to stay in Buhoma sector

There are a number of accommodation facilities in Buhoma sector where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Buhoma lodge, Sancturary gorilla forest camp, Mahogany springs lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi lodge, Silverback lodge, Engangi lodge, Bwindi forest lodge, Buhoma haven lodge, Bwindi view Bandas, Buhoma community rest camp, Crested crane Bwindi, CPTH Gorilla Conservation Camp, Trackers Safari Lodge among others.

How to get to Buhoma sector

Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and can be accessed by road transport means whereby tourists will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the Buhoma park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.

Buhoma sector can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book scheduled or charter flights with bar aviation or Aero link Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.

For unforgettable gorilla trekking memories, Buhoma sector is a must visit destination. Do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris for more information or visit our website to book an affordable gorilla trekking package.