Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park from Rushaga Sector
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park from Rushaga Sector : Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park, the sector is well-known for more than just the thrilling mountain gorilla trekking. This area offers a variety of experiences worth exploring. Rushaga sector is named after a type of hardwood tree that is found throughout the hilly areas of Bwindi Forest. This tree made it easier for people to harvest wood in the forest starting in the early 1970’s.
The sector houses the largest number of habituated mountain gorillas amongst all sectors. The park is home to numerous gorilla families such as Busingye gorilla group, Kahungye, Mishaya, Bweza gorilla group, Mucunguzi, Bikingi gorilla group, Nshongi, Kutu, and more. More so, Rushaga gorilla trekking sector is situated along the border of Rwanda, making it ideal location for gorilla trekking safaris starting from Kigali-Rwanda. More so, Rushaga sector is strategically located in the high elevation thus guaranteeing you breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes, the lush Mgahinga forest, Lake Mutanda, and other surrounding parts of Bwindi National Park. The Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is one of the four sectors in the park where you can trek mountain gorillas from.
Rushaga sector offers an incredible experience for those looking to trek mountain gorillas. The adventure begins with an early morning briefing where the park officials explain the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking and assign you to a specific gorilla group.
During the briefing, which takes place in the morning, a park official will be available to take you through the entire process. Each gorilla family is limited to a maximum of 8 visitors. Once you have your group assigned, the trek begins by taking you through the stunning tropical forest as you search for these captivating gorillas in their natural habitat. This real adventure typically starts around 8:00 am.
Expect to spend at least 2-6 hours in the wild as you search for a group of mountain gorillas in the wild. When you find the, you’ll get to observer these remarkable animals up close for 1 hour, learning about their unique behaviors and taking pictures. For the nest experience on your gorilla safaris in Rushaga, achieve global safaris is your go-to-guide for exploring the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The cost of gorilla trekking Rushaga
When planning a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impregnatable national park from Rushaga sector, the first thing you need to do is get a gorilla permit. A valid gorilla permit for the Rushaga mountain gorilla trekking tour costs $800 per person for non-foreign residents, $700 per person for foreign residents and UGX. 300,000 per person for East African Community citizens. Citizens from the rest of Africa can buy a permit for USD 500 per person.
Other activities to do in and around the Rushaga sector
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Rushaga sector is the only gorilla sector in Uganda where Gorilla Habituation Experience is done. There are only 3 gorilla families undergoing habituation in Rushaga and these are Bushaho and Bukingi. This activity offers tourists with the rare chance to spend up to four hours with the endangered mountain gorillas. During this time, you’ll be part of the important process of helping these incredible creatures become accustomed to human presence. Visitors planning to embark on this exciting experience are expected to obtain your permit at $1,500 per person and you can book it through the local expert.
Birding tours
Rushaga sector is located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which hosts more than 350 different bird species. While you’re enjoying your gorilla tours in Rushaga, you’ll also have a fantastic opportunity to observe various birds. Some of the species you might encounter include the grauer’s rush warbler, western green tinker bird, Angolan swallow, chest nut throated apalis, finely banded woodpecker, montane oriole, African green broadbill, African wood owl, western green tinker bird, African citril, green tinker bird, short tailed warbler, regal sunbird, Kivu ground thrush, mountain yellow warbler, montane oriole, emerald cuckoo and tit hylia among others.
Guided nature walks
Rushaga is also a great place for a guided nature walk. You can combine Uganda gorilla trekking with a nature walk while in Rushaga sector where you will walk through the forest with an armed ranger or walk up to lake mutanda for island tours. During these walks, you’ll have a knowledgeable guide who will help you explore the area. Typically, these walks last around 2 to 3 hours, giving you the chance to see many different birds, forest animals, and plants along the way.
Community encounter
While in Rushaga sector you can option to join guided tours that showcase the local community and culture. One of the highlights is a visit to the Batwa community or the Bakiga people, where you can immerse yourself in their distinct customs and way of life. During your visit to a Batwa cultural trail, you’ll have the chance to learn about their culture, they will teach you how they used to live in the forest and eat fruits, collect honey and use plants as medicine. You’ll also engage in some cultural performance such as old story telling, music and dances among other.
What is the best time to visit Rushaga sector.
You can visit Rushaga sector throughout the year, but the ideal time to go is during the dry season, which occurs from June to August and again from December to February. During these months, the ground is more stable and the roads are easier to navigate. Keep in mind that Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park gets rain at any time, so be sure to rain jacket, waterproof hiking shoes, long-sleeved warm clothes, insect repellents, good quality camera, enough drinking water and some energizing snacks.
Best accommodation facilities to stay while on a gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector
Tourist planning to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park from Rushaga sector shouldn’t worry about where to stay. The sectors have several accommodations where you can stay based on your travel budget and these range from budget to mid-range to luxury and also camps. These lodges include Chameleon Hill Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
How to access Rushaga sector
You can get to the Rushaga sector by either road or air, depending on your budget for travel.
If you choose to fly, you can book a charter flight from Kajjansi airstrip with companies like Aero Link Uganda or Fly Uganda. These flights go from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to either Kisoro airfield or Kihihi airstrip. From there, you can take a private vehicle to reach your accommodation in the Rushaga area.
For those preferring to drive, you can travel by road from Kampala or Entebbe. The route goes through Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro before finally arriving in the Rushaga sector. This trip takes about 9 to 10 hours, giving you a chance to enjoy beautiful views of the countryside, the Virunga Mountains, and friendly locals along the way.
