Gorilla trekking safari in Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking safari in Rushaga sector; Rushaga sector is one of the four gorilla sectors located in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park that offers the adventurous gorilla trekking activity which involves visitors moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and its one of the destinations that harbors the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi impenetrable national park is known for harboring half of the world’s mountain gorilla population which are found in four sectors namely Rushaga sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south.
Gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector is a home of 8 habituated gorilla families namely Busingye, Bweza, Nshongi, Kahungye, Mishaya, Rwigi, Bikingi and Mukyunguzi which are available for trekking on a daily basis and gorilla trekking starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing you will be divided 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. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Rushaga sector takes about 2 to 6 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 different wildlife species, birds, plant and tree species among others and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their environment which gives you an opportunity to watch them feed, breastfeed, play, fight, groom young ones, learn more about their behaviors, take photos and record the breathtaking moments to show people back home after the safari.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking safari in Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking is Rushaga sector can be done all year round 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 or little rainfall in Rushaga sector therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes gorilla trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which makes gorilla trekking difficult.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Rushaga sector
A gorilla trekking permit in Rushaga sector Bwindi impenetrable national park 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.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking permits in Rushaga sector can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to visit the mountain gorillas. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your preferred dates, you will be asked to make a deposit. Once we receive the money, we will acquire the gorilla trekking permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
How to get to Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector is located in southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters in Rushaga sector which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
You can as well access Rushaga sector from Kigali Rwanda where travelers will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to Rushaga sector via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
Rushaga sector can also be accessed by air transport means whereby tourists will book scheduled or charter flights with Bar aviation or Aero link Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to Rushaga sector by road which takes about 2 hours’ drive.
Where to stay in Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector has a number of accommodation facilities ranging from luxury, midrange and budget where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari including Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Hills eco-lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Nshongi Camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge among others.
Other activities in Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector offers other activities that you can engage in after your gorilla trekking safari including gorilla habituation experience where you will be able to spend four hours with the gorillas, bird watching where you will view different bird species, Batwa cultural tour where you will be able to interact with the Batwa people, guided nature walks among others.
Gorilla trekking is an exciting and breathtaking activity that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Uganda. For more information about gorilla trekking safari in Rushaga sector, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various gorilla trekking packages.
