Buhoma Sector Of Bwindi Forest

Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Forest: Located in Kanungu District in the northwestern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Buhoma sector overlooks the breathtaking, steep, dark, evergreen impenetrable forest of Bwindi. Due to its history, Buhoma is one of the most important, well-liked, and essential sectors of the four of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that is essential for gorilla trekking. The oldest habituated and first gorilla family open for trekking, known as the Mubare gorilla family , is found in Buhoma, which was the first sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to be opened for gorilla trekking.

Buhoma Sector Of Bwindi Forest

Therefore, shortly after Bwindi was gazetted as a park, gorilla tourism began in the Buhoma sector and spread to other sectors of the park Uganda. Ruhondeza was the eldest and leader of the Mubare Gorilla family, which consisted of about eighteen individuals. Ruhondeza’s aging caused them to start to split up, and by the time he passed away, the family had grown to nine members.

This was owing to the arrival of a new silverback, Kanyonyi, who took some of the other gorillas from other families. The Mubare hills, which are located deep within the Bwindi forest, are the origin of the family’s name.

Since there are five habituated gorilla families in Bwindi, the Buhoma sector is home to four additional gorilla families in addition to the Mubare group. The Habinyanja gorilla family, which is part of the Buhoma sector, was habituated in 1997 specifically for gorilla trekking and was found in the wetlands of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

When Habinyanja was first visited in 1999, it had 25 members; however, the group broke in two as a result of the power struggle between the two silverbacks. Following Mugurusi’s passing, Rwansigazi and Mwirima engaged in power battles.

Mwirima ultimately made the decision to split off and start his own family, Rushegura Rwansigazi, with Habinyanja still serving as its leader. There are 17 members of Habinyanja.

Rushegura gorilla family was initially habituated in 2000 for gorilla trekking, and the first tourists arrived there in 2002. This group formed the Rushegura as a result of power issues that caused the Habinyanja family to split up and Mwirima to decide to leave.

With 17 individuals, including the silverback Kabukojo, four adult females, four juveniles, four blackbacks, and four newborns, Rushegura gets its name from the tree species that was abandoned in a house where they were initially spotted, “Ebishengura.”

Since the Rushegura usually reside close to the park headquarters, tracking these gorillas may be completed more quickly. However, occasionally, the mountain gorillas could go as far as outside the park’s borders, so tourists can set up camp in the area to catch a glimpse of them.

The newest gorilla family in Bwindi’s Buhoma tourist area, the Muyambi family, opened up in early 2019. It was produced after an adult Mubare group member broke away from the family and founded Muyambi. The founder and head of this family, Muyambi, is the origin of its name. It is led by a silverback and consists of seven members.

Katwe habituated gorilla family, which consists of seven members, was introduced and opened for trekking to tourists in 2018 following a three-year period of habituation. There are now more habituated gorilla families in Buhoma sector, which has raised demand for gorilla licenses.

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector

The Uganda Wildlife Authority is the only place to book and get a gorilla permit for Buhoma sector, which costs 700 dollars for foreign residents, 300,000 shillings for citizens of East Africa, and 800 dollars for foreign non-residents.

Following a briefing at headquarters regarding the rules and regulations and what to expect, gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector begins very early in the morning. Following the briefing, visitors will be divided into eight groups, meaning that eight persons will visit each family each day.

Alongside the tour guides, armed rangers, and porters, the trip starts at around eight in the morning. Once a family of mountain gorillas has been located in the forest, tourists are only allowed to spend an hour with them.

This is because the gorillas may become angry and uncomfortable with prolonged visits, and gorilla trekking involves traveling in the rainforest for two to six hours.

What is best time to visit Buhoma sector for gorilla trekking

Because the routes are accessible and passable due to little to no rainfall, the best time to visit Buhoma sector for gorilla trekking is during the dry season, which is always the busiest time of year. June through September and December through February are the driest months.

Permits sell out fast during the busiest time of year, so it’s best to make reservations in advance. There is no assurance that it won’t rain at any point because it is a rain forest. Since gorilla trekking is possible throughout the year, those who want to visit Buhoma Sector can do so even during the wet season, which spans the months of March through May and October through November.

How to access Buhoma sector for Gorilla trekking?

Buhoma Sector is easily accessible from a variety of destinations. For instance, tourists from Queen Elizabeth National Park can travel from the Mweya Peninsula via Ishasha Sector and then to Buhoma Sector, which takes between three to four hours.

Buhoma is accessible from Kampala via road, where one can travel 550 km (approximately 8–9 hours) via the Kampala to Masaka to Mbarara to Ntungamo to Rukungiri to Kihihi route, or by air, where one can reserve a flight from Kajjansi Airstrip to either Kihihi Airstrip or Kayonza Airstrip and arrive in Buhoma.

It still takes roughly two hours to get from Kabale to Buhoma sector via Kanungu. Additionally, the Buhoma sector is connected to the other Bwindi sectors.

Accommodation facilities in Buhoma sector

There are a good number of lodging options in the Buhoma region. When traveling to Buhoma for gorilla trekking, there is a greater selection of lodging options. When taking a tour to Buhoma, one shouldn’t be concerned about where they will stay the night. Because its staff members are qualified, experienced, and competent, the lodging facilities provide a wide range of beneficial services to their patrons.

The cost of lodging in the Buhoma region varies based on the services offered, although all of them offer acceptable services. Depending on the visitor’s preferences and financial situation, Buhoma lodging options range from luxury to midrange and budget lodges.

Additionally, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Camp, Silverback Lodge, Bwindi Volcano Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Camp, Lake Kitandira Gorilla Forest Camp, Haven Lodge, and others are some of other lodges to take into account.