Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector; Rushaga is one of four gorilla sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park that provide the exciting gorilla trekking experience, which entails tourists traveling into the tropical rainforest in search of habituated gorilla families and spending one hour with them in their natural environment once identified.
Rushaga sector is located in Kisoro district in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is known for having the most gorilla families, including the Busingye, Bweza, Mishaya, Nshongi, Rwigi, Mucunguzi, and Kahungye gorilla families.
Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking is a unique activity in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector that begins very early in the morning with a briefing on the laws and regulations to be followed throughout the walk. Following the briefing, you will be separated into groups of eight individuals, with each group assigned a habituated gorilla family to hike and an experienced park guide who is familiar with gorilla trekking pathways.
Mountain gorilla trekking in the Rushaga area takes between 30 minutes and 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas are situated because they prefer to wander from one location to another in quest of food.
During your walk, you will be able to see other primate species, a range of bird species, and many tree and plant species, among other things. Once the mountain gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat, where you will be able to learn more about their behaviors and habits, as well as observe them carrying out their daily activities such as feeding, breastfeeding, and grooming young ones, as well as take photos and record the beautiful moments to show people back home after the safari.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector
The greatest time to go gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector is during the dry season or peak season, which is in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.
Because there is less rainfall in the Rushaga sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park during the dry season, the gorilla trekking paths and access roads are dry and accessible, making walking easier than during the rainy season, when the trekking trails are muddy and slippery, making trekking harder.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Rushaga sector
Gorilla trekking permits are legal documents that allow tourists over the age of 15 to visit a habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with them in their natural environment. A gorilla trekking permit in the Rushaga area costs 700 USD per person for non-residents, 600 USD for locals, and 250,000 UGX for East African citizens.
How to book gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector?
Gorilla trekking permits in the Rushaga sector may be obtained directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority by contacting the park headquarters in Kampala through email or phone.
Gorilla trekking permits in the Rushaga area can also be obtained through a reputable tour operator, such as Explore Rwanda Tours, by contacting us with the days, month, and year you desire to see the mountain gorillas.
We will check for permit availability when you contact us, and if permits are available on your selected dates, you will be required to submit a deposit for the permits. We will acquire the permits on your behalf and give you a scanned copy of the receipt as proof as we receive the funds.
Booking gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector through a tour operator is the best option for acquiring gorilla permits because we will not only book the permits on your behalf but will also plan your entire safari, which includes transportation to Rushaga sector, accommodation, full-time driver guide, other activities to engage in after gorilla trekking, and other destinations to visit.
How to get to Rushaga sector
Rushaga sector is located in the southern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and may be reached by road transport from Kampala through Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and then to Rushaga sector, which takes around 9 to 10 hours.
You may also reach the Rushaga sector by flying to Kigali International Airport and then connecting to the Rushaga sector via the Cyanika border in Kisoro or the Katuna border in Kabale, which takes around 4 to 5 hours.
Rushaga sector may also be reached by air, using scheduled or charter flights with Bar aviation Uganda or Aero link Uganda limited from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip, and then by road to Rushaga sector.
Where to stay in Rushaga sector during your gorilla trekking experience
There are several hotel options in the Rushaga sector where you may stay during your gorilla trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Nshongi Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Four Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge among others.
Other activities in Rushaga sector
After your gorilla trekking adventure, Rushaga sector offers other interesting activities such as gorilla habituation experience where you will be able to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas, Batwa cultural tour where you will be able to interact with the Batwa or pygmies who live in the neighboring community, bird watching where you will be able to view different bird species, guided nature walk, and others.
