the 4 sectors of Bwindi national park

Bwindi national park is one of the best and iconic wildlife destinations popularly known for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystem. The park is also a home to over a half of the endangered mountain gorillas with over 20 gorilla families habituated in the 4 different sectors that makes up the park.

The park is situated within the southwestern parts of Uganda.  Gorillas in Uganda can also be seen with in Mgahinga gorilla national park, part of Virunga massif that is shared by the three countries. Other countries are DR Congo and Rwanda. The gorilla family at Mgahinga is known as Nyakegezi family.

The four sectors that makes up Bwindi national park are Nkuringo, Rusahga, Buhoma, and Ruhija. In this article, we shall be looking at these sectors and activities you can do within the park.

Rushaga Sector

Rushaga sector is situated with in the southern parts of Bwindi impenetrable national park and is among the prime regions for gorilla trekking within the park. The sector has got over 7 fully habituated gorilla families open for the visitors. The most popular habituated gorilla families in Rushaga are Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Rwigi, Mucunguzi and many more. During trekking you can choose a gorilla family of your choice, let us look at these most popular gorilla families.

Beside gorilla trekking, Rushaga sector is the only place that offer gorilla habituation experience where you can spend four hours with mountain gorillas in the wild while your questions about these great apes being attended to by the team of experts.

Kahungye family-Rushaga sector

This is among the gorilla families that stay with in Rushaga sector, and it was opened for the public in 2011. The unique thing about this group is that its more entertaining to tourists and is composed of 17 individuals. The family derives its name from a hill in Rushaga where it was first spotted. Today the group is currently led by Gwigi the silver back and the name Gwigi means door in a native word.

Bweza gorilla family

Bweza family is a gorilla family made up of 12 members including one silverback. The was initially part of Nshagi family that later separated. The family is led by kokono silverback

Gorilla habituation at Rushaga

Beside gorilla trekking, Rushaga sector also offers gorilla habituation experience. The sector has two gorilla families that are currently undergoing habituation. These gorilla families are Busingye gorilla family and Bikinje gorilla family. Buhingye separated from Kahungye family.

The gorilla habituation permit costs 1500$ and can be purchased from Uganda wildlife authority, giving you an opportunity to spend four hours with mountain in their natural habitats with a team of experts attending to your questions.

How to get to Rushaga sector?

To access Rushaga sector by road, drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale then to Rushaga sector. The journey is approximately an 8 to 9 hours drive.

On the other hand, Rushaga sector can still be accessed by air. You can easily either book scheduled or chartered domestic flights using Aerolink or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Bwindi national park at Kahihi airstrip. The flight takes approximately one hour

You can also access Rushaga sector from Kigali by road. You will be driven from Kigali international airport and pass via either Cyanika boarder or Katuna boarder to Kabale. The drive is a 5 hours drive and passing through the land boarder will necessitate to pay 50 dollars for the visa. However, you can also apply for the east African visa that will allow you to adventure, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya using the same visa. East African visa costs 100 dollars and can be bought online.

Where to stay while in Rushaga sector?

Rushaga sector has various accommodation facilities all classified in to luxury, mid range or budget. Some of the lodges to check out for include Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Rushaga gorilla lodge, Gorilla valley lodge, Four Gorillas lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven lodge. The lodge you will stay at will be determined by your budget on accommodation.

Buhoma sector in Bwindi national park

This is the most popular sector for gorilla trekking with in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. Tourists interested in enjoying their gorilla trekking adventure at a luxury term then your answer is Buhoma. Today Buhoma shines with the most developed infrastructures thus attracting a number of tourists.

Gorilla groups in Buhoma sector

The sector has five habituated gorilla family groups and they include Mubare, Habimanya, Rusheruga, Muyambi and Katwe. Bookings should be done in advance since the sector offers only 32 gorilla permits per day.

Rushegura family at Buhoma sector

Among the gorilla families to find with in Buhoma is the Rushegura. The family has 19 members with one silver back. Trekking this gorilla family is completely thrilling and fascinating. The members of this group are people friendly giving you a chance to have a greater encounter once you choose it as your preferred gorilla family

How to access Buhoma sector?

Buhoma sector is located in the northern parts of Bwindi Impenetrable national park and it can be accessed through using road transport.

Using road transport, you drive from Kampala, then pass via Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukunjiri and then to the park head quarters.

Where to stay with in Buhoma sector?

Some of the accommodations with in Buhoma sector include Buhoma lodge, Engagi lodge, Bwindi Forest lodge, and many more. The lodges are classified in to luxury, midrange and budget.

Ruhijja sector

This sector is located within the Eastern parts of Bwindi impenetrable national park. The sector is easily accessed from either Kabale or Buhoma. There are a variety of things to see with in this sector such as the beautiful views of the forested ridges and the views of the Virunga volcanoes.

The sector has 4 habituated gorilla families  and these are Oruzongo, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, and Mukiza.

Bitukura gorilla family

This gorilla family is found with in Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. This gorilla family is among those families with many members. The group derives its name from the river that is with in the forest and its where the first family was sighted. The family is composed of 14 members with also the silver backs.

This gorilla family is among the peaceful, calm and interesting gorilla families with in the habituated families of Bwindi.

How to get to Ruhijja?

Ruhija can be accessed in various forms, those coming from Kampala should drive to Kabale to access the sector. Ruhija can further be accessed through using air transport. Using air transport, those accessing the park from Kampala or Entebbe the appropriate route is to pass through Kabale town.

You should also have it in mind that there are no direct fights to Ruhija so using air transport one needs to fly to Kihihi, then drive up to the head quarters.

Where to stay while in Ruhija?

There are many accommodation facilities while in Ruhija all ranging from mid range then to budget. Note that Ruhijja sector has few luxury lodges. Some of the accommodations include Agandi, Bakiga lodge, Bwindi Panaroma resort, Gorilla Mist lodges, Broad bill forest camp and many more.

Nkuringo sector

Situated in the southern parts of Bwindi impenetrable national park lies Nkuringo sector. This sector is also popular among tourists after Buhoma.  The sector has 4 habituated gorilla families available for trekking some of the gorilla families to see include Nkuringo, Bushaho, Christmas and Posho gorilla family. The sector is  also well known for offering clear views of mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira.

Nkuringo gorilla family

This family derives its name from a Rukija word round hill and it was launched in 2004. This is because the group was first seen and so habituated from a hill called Nkuringo. The group ranges from Kashasha river valley, then to Nteko ridge and other places closer.

The family is composed of 15 individuals and 2 silver back gorillas.

How to access the park from Nkuringo sector?

Nkuringo sector can be accessed through using road transport. From Kampala pass via Kabale then to Kisoro Road. On the other hand, visitors can still access the park by travelling to Buhoma through passing via Kihihi or Butagota.

Where to stay while with in Nkuringo sector?

Nkuringo has many accommodation options for its visitors all ranging from luxury, mid range or budget. Some of them include Gorilla Heights lodge, Bwindi Orugno lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge, lake Mulehe gorilla lodge, Nkuringo guest house, Albertine Gorilla campsite, Nshongi camp and many more.

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