Different Sectors Of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park : There are four sectors in Bwindi National Park: Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. Each sector offers a different level of difficulty for gorilla tracking. The Buhoma sector is the one where gorilla tracking is the easiest.
The park staff is in charge of all gorilla tracking activities. The primary guide, two rangers, two armed military rangers, and a few other tourists will be with you at all times. There may be anywhere from 6 to 10 tourists in the group as a whole.
Buhoma Sector:
It is located in the northern part of the park. For those who choose to use air travel as a mode of transportation, this sector is convenient to the Kihihi airstrip. It is easily accessible for travelers who had Queen Elizabeth National Park on their Uganda safari itinerary because it is a 2 hour drive from Kabale town, a town close to the park, and a 4 hour drive from Ishasha Sector. Because it is home to the Mubare, the first gorilla family to establish permanent residence, Buhoma is well known and popular with tourists. Out of the four sectors, it is the easiest to trek through and is also suitable for older people. Bird watching, nature walks, visiting and learning about the nearby communities, such as the Batwa and Bakinga, as well as the waterfall trail, are a few of the things that can be done at the park.
Rushaga Sector:
The southern region of the park is where it is. The majority of gorilla families that have been habituated live in this area. One of the industries where habituation is currently happening is this one. Travelers coming from Kigali can reach it quickly via the Cyanika border in Kisoro, which is only a 3-hour drive away. Aside from gorilla trekking, other activities in the park include boating on Lake Mutanda, bird watching, experiencing the culture of the Batwa people, and discovering how gorillas become habituated.
Nkuringo Sector:
It is located in the park’s southern section. Three fully habituated gorilla families can be found in Nkuringo. For its views of Mounts Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira, the area is well known. Despite having one of the best views, this sector is one of the hardest to trek in due to the terrain. The area is at a high altitude. The sector is also easily accessible from Kabale District, which is 45 kilometers from Kisoro and can be reached there in 3 hours by car using the Kabale-Kisoro highway. Nature hikes, bird watching, and getting a taste of some of the local cultures, like the Batwa and Bakiga, are a few of the things you can do in this area. Forest elephants and baboons are just a couple of the animals that can be found in this area.
Ruhija Sector:
Located in the park’s eastern region. It is appropriate for visitors whose itineraries include the Ishasha sector and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Four habituated gorilla families reside there. It’s one of the coldest of the four sectors. The park also has elephants and monkeys in addition to gorillas. Mountain biking, birding, cultural interactions with the Batwa community, and nature walks are a few of the pursuits made in this sector.
GORILLA TREKKING EXPERIENCE IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
In the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, each gorilla sector typically offers a unique experience. Thus, it is important to consider your desired gorilla trekking experience when selecting a gorilla sector.
If you want to experience a steep hike, Ruhija Sector is the area that is most recommended. The Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is at the highest altitude of the park’s four gorilla trekking areas.
Long hikes are best suited for the Nkuringo sector. Compared to the Ruhija sector, the terrain here is not as steep. The gorilla families that can be found in the Buhoma and Rushaga sectors are the most varied. Unfortunately, you are unable to select a gorilla family prior to the trek.
Consider going on a trek in either July or August if you are interested in a specific gorilla family. Due to the fact that these are the busiest months, there is a chance that all families will be available for trekking on a specific day. You just need to approach the sector warden and request to trek with a particular gorilla family in that sector while keeping that in the back of your mind.
This is impossible during off-peak times because rangers may already be getting ready for a particular gorilla family trek by the time you arrive at the park office. If your request was not included in the original agreement, it might not be granted. However, there is a chance to trek with a gorilla family of your choice if you work with a reliable Local tour operator such as Focus East Africa Tours.
Although there are other factors to take into account when picking a sector in Bwindi Forest National Park, these three are the most important to ensure that your gorilla safari in Uganda is memorable.
