Why Choose Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga
Rushaga sector is found in the southern part of Bwindi gorilla park in Kisoro district and is a popular spot for gorilla trekking. There are many reasons why choose gorilla trekking in Rushaga including its the only place where gorilla habituation takes place, it has the most mountain gorilla families and the highest number of permits, making it easier to access than other areas. There are four sectors in Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking: Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo. Rushaga has eight habituated gorilla families available for visitors, including Busingye, Nshongi, and Mishaya. Bwindi National Park is one of the most visited parks in Uganda and is known for having the highest number of mountain gorillas, attracting many travelers due to these animals having over 98% human DNA. The popularity of the Rushaga sector contributes to the overall appeal of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Why trek gorillas in Rushaga Bwindi
High chances of getting permits in Rushaga
This is one of the reasons why you should trek gorillas in Rushaga Bwindi is that there are plenty of gorilla permits compared to other trekking sectors. With 7 mountain gorilla families for trekking, there are 58 permits, plus 8 for gorilla habituation. This means that travelers don’t need to hurry when booking permits, as they are usually easy to obtain. However, it depends most likely on the low season and vice versa.
Rushaga sector has the highest number of gorilla families.
Another reason why you should choose gorilla trekking in Rushaga is because the Rushaga sector has the most gorilla families and is located between Kabale and Nkuringo, accessible from Ruhija or Kampala. The relief of the area is hilly, causing habituated gorilla families to split and occupy different hills. Trekking in Rushaga Bwindi is more appealing because there is a variety of habituated and semi-habituated gorilla groups. This sector has seven habituated mountain gorilla families for trekking: Nshongi, Busingye, Mishaya, Bweza, Mucunguzi, Rwigi, and Kahungye.
Accessibility- Why Choose Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga
Travelers should not miss a visit to the Rushaga sector because it is one of those sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that can be easily accessed when using road transport most especially from Kigali the capital of Rwanda. The sector can be easily accessed from Kigali where the journey takes 4-5 hours via Cyanika border in Kisoro to cross to Uganda. Rushaga is also the nearest sector to visit from Kisoro town with the journey covering a distance of 31km, hence making it convenient for travelers.
Rushaga sector can be trekked all year round.
Travelers can trek gorillas in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi throughout the year, but some months are better than others. The best time to visit is during the dry months from June to September and December to February. During these times, there is little rainfall, the trekking trails are dry, and the views are clear, making it ideal for photography and easier road access to the park. Budget travelers can visit during the rainy season from March to May and October to November for discounted accommodation. However, this season brings muddy trails, thick vegetation, and poorer road conditions, resulting in unclear views and photography.
About Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga Sector.
Gorilla habituation in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector allows people to spend enough time with mountain gorillas, which are only found in this particular region. Normally, for a gorilla trekking experience, visitors are limited to one hour while a special gorilla habituation allows four hours with a gorilla family. To take part, a gorilla habituation permit is needed, costing $1500 for international residents, $1000 for foreign non-residents, and Shs. 750,000 for Ugandans.
Centre of Gorilla Habituation Activities
Gorilla habituation in Rushaga Bwindi allows travelers to spend four hours with mountain gorillas, helping them get used to human presence. The Bikini family is specifically kept for this purpose, allowing groups of up to four trekkers to join researchers and conservationists for more than one hour. This experience enhances the gorilla trekking adventure in Rushaga.
What is the difference between Gorilla Trekking and Habituation Experience in Rushaga Sector
The distinction between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation in Uganda’s Rushaga area of Bwindi Forest National Park is that habituation requires more time spent with the gorillas. Gorilla habituation permits tourists to spend more than an hour with the gorillas, in contrast to gorilla trekking, which permits people to spend no more than an hour with the gorillas.
How to get to Rushaga Sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
It takes roughly 7 to 8 hours to drive from Entebbe International Airport to Rushaga via the Mbarara Kabale Highway. Alternatively, you can take a scheduled or chartered flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Air Strip, where our driver will pick you up and take you to the park in less than an hour. Another way to go to the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is through Rwanda. Go to Bwindi through the Cyanika border crossing after landing at Kigali International Airport, and then on to Rushaga. Driving here takes 3 to 4 hours.
Accommodation Facilities-Why Choose Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga
The Rushaga region in Bwindi has many lodging choices for visitors trekking gorillas. Options include Gorilla Hills Eco-Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Mutanda Lake Resort, and Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge. Accommodations vary from affordable to luxurious.
