All Gorilla families in Buhoma sector
Gorilla families in Buhoma sector: The Buhoma sector is one of the four trekking sectors situated in the northern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kanungu District. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in the southwestern region of Uganda and is renowned for hosting half of the global population of mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park occurs in the Rushaga sector to the south, the Ruhija sector to the east, and the Nkuringo area to the south. The Buhoma sector hosts five habituated gorilla families: Mubare, Rushagura, Habinyanja, Muyambi, and Katwe, which are accessible for trekking daily.
Mubare gorilla group
The Mubare gorilla family is the oldest in the Buhoma area and was the inaugural gorilla family to be hiked by visitors in 1993. At the time of habitation, the Mubare family consisted of 12 members and was commanded by the silverback Ruhondeza, who passed away in June 2012 owing to old age, thus leaving the family under the control of the alpha male Kanyonyi. Kanyil subsequently fell off the tree and incurred injuries that rendered him weak, preventing him from defending his family, resulting in its loss to the Malaya silverback. The Mubare gorilla family currently consists of 9 members, including Malaya, the dominant silverback, four females: Nyampazi, Karungi, Twesiime, and Buzinza, along with 4 infants.
Habinyanja gorilla group
Habinyanja is a gorilla family in the Buhoma region that was habituated in 1996, and its name originates from the Rukiga word “Nyanja,” meaning a location with water. The Habinyanja gorilla family consisted of 25 individuals at the time of habituation, led by the silverback Mugurusi, who subsequently died of old age. The death of Mugurusi caused succession problems as the silverbacks Rwansigazi, Mwirima, and Makara contended for leadership. Rwansigazi and Mwirima co-led the family until their separation in 2002, resulting in 12 members, including 2 silverbacks, 2 blackbucks, 3 adult females, 3 sub-adults, and 2 juveniles, aligning with Rwansigazi and retaining the designation Haninyanja, while the remainder followed Mwirima and were designated the Rushegura gorilla family.
Rushegura gorilla group
The Rushegura gorilla family, located in the Buhoma area, diverged from the Haninyanja gorilla family in 2002. The separation was initiated by the dominant silverback Mwirima, who departed from the Habinyanja family with seven members. By 2010, the group had expanded to 19 individuals, comprising two silverbacks, three blackbucks, six adult females, one sub-adult, three adolescents, and four newborns. Mwirima subsequently passed away, and the group is currently led by a blackbuck, with Gorilla families situated in the Buhoma region.
Katwe gorilla group
The Katwe gorilla family was the fourth group to undergo habituation in the Buhoma region. The Katwe group consists of 9 individuals, including 1 silverback, 4 adult females, 2 blackbucks, and 2 babies.
Muyambi gorilla group
The Muyambi gorilla family is the most recent gorilla group in the Buhoma area, having opened for trekking in 2019 with six members. Muyambi was formerly a member of the Mubare family, the inaugural gorilla family in the Buhoma sector, before separating to establish its own group.
Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma area commences early in the morning with a briefing on the rules and regulations to be adhered to during the hike. Following the briefing, you will be divided into groups of eight, with each group assigned a habituated gorilla family to walk with, accompanied by park rangers and an expert guide knowledgeable about the gorilla trekking trails. Trekking mountain gorillas in the Buhoma area lasts between 30 minutes and 7 hours, contingent upon the gorillas’ location, as they frequently relocate in pursuit of sustenance. While walking, you will observe many monkeys, plant and tree species, and hear the melodious sounds of diverse bird species, among others. Upon locating the gorillas, you will be permitted to spend one hour in their natural habitat, during which you can observe their behaviors, witness their daily activities, capture photographs, and document remarkable moments to share with others after the safari.
Pricing of gorilla hiking licenses in the Buhoma sector
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in the Buhoma section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is 800 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 700 USD per person for international residents, and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Best time for gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector
Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma area is feasible year-round, however the optimal period is during the dry season, specifically in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. In the dry season, the national park experiences reduced rainfall, resulting in dry and navigable access roads and gorilla trekking trails, hence facilitating easier walking compared to the wet season, when the pathways become muddy and treacherous, complicating the trekking experience.
Accommodation options in the Buhoma sector
Numerous lodging establishments exist in the Buhoma district for your gorilla trekking expedition. The accommodations encompass budget, midrange, and luxury options, including Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary 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, and Trackers Safari Lodge, among others.
Directions to the Buhoma sector
The Buhoma sector is situated in the northern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is accessible by road. Tourists can travel from Kampala through Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale to reach the Buhoma park headquarters, a journey that takes approximately 8 to 9 hours.
The Buhoma sector is accessible via air transport, with regular or charter flights available through Bar Aviation or Aero Link Uganda from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip, followed by a road transfer to the park headquarters. Buhoma sector is an essential place for indelible gorilla trekking experiences. Please feel free to reach out to gorilla trekking in Africa for further information or visit our website to reserve an economical gorilla trekking package.