Rushaga

Rushaga sector is situated in southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. BINP is the most visited National Park in Uganda situated in western Uganda- Kanungu district.  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous for it hosts half of the world’s Mountain Gorillas.

Rushaga sector is the most visited sector in Bwindi because it hosts the highest number of habituated gorilla families including Nshongi, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye, Bikyingi, Mishaya, Mucunguzi and Rwigi among others.

In Rushaga sector, gorilla trekking safaris starts with briefing at 7:30am and thereafter, guests are grouped into 8 to visit each habituated gorilla family. Each group of trekkers is escorted by ranger guides safe guard and feed them with the necessary knowledge.

In Rushaga sector takes between 2-6hours depending on the location of Mountain Gorillas and once they are found, a maximum of one hour is given to learn about the gorilla behaviours, lifestyle, habitat, watch females nursing the young ones as you take plenty of photos and records the moments which give you incredible experience on your gorilla trekking tour.

Trekking Gorillas in Rushaga cost US$700 for foreign none residents, US$500 for foreign residents and shillings 250000 East African Residents.  For gorilla trekking in Rushaga, you can book your gorilla permit directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority head office in Kampala by the help of a tour operator/ company or by yourself.

Rushaga has comparative advantage from other sectors like Nkuringo, Ruhija and Buhoma, Rushaga sector offers a unique experience called Gorilla habituation. Gorilla habituation cost US$1500 and allows guests to stay with gorillas for four hours.

Reasons why you should trek Gorillas in Rushaga sector

• Easily accessible – from Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, its 3-4hrs drive to Rushaga sector. From Kigali, you drive via Kyanika or Katuna boarder however, from Kampala or Entebbe Airport in Uganda, its 8hrs drive.
• Rushaga sector hosts the highest number of habituated mountain gorillas. For that case, Rushaga offer many gorilla permits hence receiving the largest number of trekkers.
• Among all the four sectors, Gorilla habituation is only done in Rushaga sector.

Habituated gorilla groups in Rushaga region

Rushaga region is in the southern side of Bwindi National Park. Unlike other gorilla trekking regions, it is one incredible region with many habituated gorilla families. About 9 gorilla families have been habituated and readily available for trekking in this region.

Nshongi gorilla family

Nshongi gorilla group is an incredible habituated gorilla group in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It was habituated in 2009 and derives its name from River Nshongi. Currently, it consists of 25 individuals and trekking through it, offers you a chance to also see other unique primates including black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons; birds, butterflies among others.

Kahungye gorilla family

This group opened for trekking in 2011. It is named after the hill in Rushaga sector where it was first spotted. Kahungye group is made of 27 members and it is led by Gwigi silverback. The word Gwigi means door.

Busingye group

This group underwent through habituated in 2012 and at the time, it only comprised of 9 individuals. Busingye group split off from Kahungye family.

Mucunguzi gorilla group

For those of you who are interested in experiencing something new and unique, Mucunguzi gorilla group should be a must to visit while on your Uganda gorilla safari. It is one of the newly habituated gorilla groups in Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The word Mucunguzi denotes ‘savior’ and this group broke away from Bweza family. Currently, it is comprised of 8 individuals.

Rwigi gorilla family

Rwigi gorilla group is another newly habituated gorilla group in Rushaga gorilla trekking region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is led by Rwigi silverback gorilla. This group broke away from Kahungye group and comprises of 6 members.

Kutu gorilla group

For those of you who are interested in gorilla habituation experience, Kutu is that one gorilla family to explore on Uganda gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi. It is a new gorilla group within Rushaga area and it is composed of 8 members and 1 silverback.

Mishaya gorilla family

Mishaya gorilla family is in Rushaga region of Bwindi National Park. It broke away from the Nshongi gorilla group in 2010 and went with other members. About 12 individuals make up this gorilla family.

Bikingi gorilla family

Bikingi gorilla group was formerly set for gorilla habituation experience but it is currently open for trekking in Rushaga region. Habituation process for this group started in 2012. It is comprised of 15 members.

Bweza gorilla group

Bweza gorilla group is habituated family in Rushaga region and it broke away from Nshongi gorilla family in 2012.  About 9 members make up this gorilla group. It also rates among the easiest gorilla families to have undergone through habituation process.

In conclusion, Gorilla trekking is breathtaking and a life time event which you shouldn’t miss on your visit to Uganda.