Buhoma gorilla sector is located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on the northern boundary of the park-buhoma is the first habituated gorilla sector to be tracked by tourists back in 1993. The Buhoma Gorilla group consists of the four Gorilla groups namely Mubare, Katwe, Habinyanja, and Rushegyra.
Buhoma Gorilla Sector Family Groups
Mubare Gorilla Group
This is one of the oldest groups, and consequently one of the friendliest. Sadly they lost their long-reigning silverback Ruhondeza to old age in 2012, but black back Kanyonyi appears to be taking over leadership of the group as he graduates into a fully-fledged silverback. Mubare group are usually found approximately 15-45 minutes drive from the briefing point. The trek to reach them can be one of the more arduous, taking around 3 to 4 hours to locate the gorillas.
Habinyanja Gorilla group
Habinyanja comes from Nyanja which is the local word meaning large water body and refers to a swamp in the forest where the group was first sighted. There is a drive of approximately 1 hour from the briefing point to the start of the hike. Locating these gorillas often takes about 2 to 3 hours. This group is known for its good population of juveniles and infants, hence a good rewarding encounter in the wild. The group consists of 18 members, 1 silverback called Makara.
Rushegyra Gorilla Group
Rushegyra gorilla group was created in 2002 after a silverback broke away from the Habinyanja group, the group comprises of 20 members headed by one silverback. The group is known for its playful infants. Sometimes the group is seen strolling around the gardens of the lodges in the area; young infant gorillas are seen following visitors at the lodge.
Katwe Gorilla Group
Katwe gorilla group is a newly habituated gorilla located in the Buhoma gorilla sector, the group consists of 8 individuals 1 silverback, 4 female adults, and 3 babies. The introduction of Katwe habituated gorilla group has increased the number of gorilla permits from the usual 24 permits to 32 permits hence developing gorilla tourism experience in Uganda.
Guided Nature Walking Trails
Several guided nature walking trails ranging from 30 minutes to 8 hours in duration, lead from Buhoma, offering the opportunity to enjoy the tranquility and broader biodiversity of the forest, and a chance to see a variety of primates and birds.
Muyanga River Trail
It starts at the end of the Buhoma road, at the edge of the forest, and follows the Bizenga Creek until it joins the Munyaga River. This trail provides a short walk to view many primates and bird species along the forest edge.
Muzabajiro Loop Trail
After entering the forest the trail crosses the Muzabijiro creek and begins ascending through high canopy forest to the open slope of Rukubira Hill, the site of a 1992 wildfire. The area is now lush with vines and silvery trunks of dead trees that offset breathtaking views of Bwindi, the Western Rift Valley, and the Virunga volcanoes. The trail then descends Rukubira and returns to the Park Office along the same route. Along the way, one can encounter ancient ferns, several primates like L'Hoest's monkey, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey among others.
Rushura Hill Trail
Take you to Rushura Hill (6,280 ft), the highest point around Buhoma. The path goes up through the forest to a view of the Congo border. You will enjoy the sweeping views of the western Rift Valley south of Virungas, and even Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. The descent takes place through cultivated fields and regenerating forests.
Bird Viewing
Bird viewing in Buhoma is strongly urged to stick to the Munyaga River Trail, which starts on the edge of the park behind the Gorilla tracking trailhead and follows the same old road through the forest south of Buhoma south of the waterfall trail. The open road provides better birding opportunities than the narrow forest and on a good morning, the visitor could hope to see around 50 species. Among the great remarkable birds commonly seen along this road include the black-billed turaco, barred long-tailed cuckoos, bar-tailed trogon, black bee-eater, white-billed robin-chat, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, McKinnon’s grey shrike, and yellow-whiskered green bill.
Batwa Cultural Experience
This all-day encounter that takes place in a patch of private forest contiguous with the national park provides a fascinating insight into the traditional forest life and lore of the hunter-gatherer culture of the Batwa communities (Pygmies) in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Getting there and away
Buhoma gorilla sector can be accessed by road from Kampala following a tarmac road to Kabale for about 415 km spending about 6-7 hours and then connect on a murram road through Kanunugu District to Buhoma for about 120 km for approximately 3 hours’ drive.
By air transport you can choose to fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip, from Kihihi Airstrip you will meet our driver guide who will take you to Buhoma-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for about 3 hours’ drive.
Best time to visit Buhoma Sector
Buhoma Sector can be visited anytime throughout the year especially during the drier months of January, February, June, July, August, and December during the dry season, in this period the trails are passable compared to the wet season when the trails are slippery, wet, and muddy.
Where to stay
Buhoma Gorilla Sector under its accolades and favorite gorilla destination many visitors who come to Bwindi Impenetrable to many visitors who come to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. It means there is an array of lodges and tented camps waiting for visitors to book and have a remarkable encounter with Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. For more information about Gorilla tour in Uganda, kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited so we can tailor your Safari in Africa.
