Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Rushaga is one of the four sectors that make up Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park a home to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world. Rushaga is an exceptional region situated in the southern part of Bwindi. The high cost of gorilla tours in Rwanda have presently made Rushaga a popular sector to see and interact with these critically endangered species. Rushaga is mostly visited by travelers connecting from Kigali through Cyanika border in Kisoro district. A gorilla trek to Rushaga sector is an special experience which come along with other experiences like clear views of the Virunga volcanoes especially the Virunga, Gahinga and Muhabura in Mgahinga gorilla national park and lake Bunyonyi which is the deepest crater lake in Uganda, and the second deepest in Africa. Among the reasons why you should visit Rushaga sector of Bwindi include among others:
High number of gorilla families and availability of gorilla permits
Rushaga is well known for sheltering a high number of habituated mountain gorilla families available for trekking. The sector is a home to five gorilla groups which guarantee travelers a chance to access permits unlike other sectors. These families include Nshongi, Kahungye, Busingye, Mishaya and Bweza gorilla group. These gorilla families vary in size but an interaction with any of the five is a memorable experience. Just like in all gorilla destinations, ach gorilla family in Rushaga is led by a silverback, which determines the movements and daily activities within the family. Everyday there are 40 gorilla permits available to issue out in Rushaga which guarantee access to permits even those who book at the last hour. The availability of many gorilla families give travelers an opportunity to choose which gorilla family he/she wants to trek.
Gorilla habituation
Besides gorilla trekking, Rushaga reward travelers with memorable mountain gorilla habituation experience. It’s only in this sector that wild mountain gorillas are trained to make them familiar with human presence before they are declared free for trekking. Presently two gorilla families namely Bushaho and Bikyingi are undergoing habituation experience. In habituation, each gorilla family is visited by a group of four travelers for four hours interaction. Unlike in gorilla trekking where eight people are allowed to interact with a gorilla family, only a group of four people are allowed to interact with a family undergoing habituation. Travelers are expected to have a valid habituation permit which cost 1500 usd for four hours interaction. A habituation permit which cost 1500 usd is a must have by all travelers. Uganda Wildlife Authority issues habituations permits on first come first serve basis
Ease of access from Kigali
For those connecting from Kigali, Rushaga is the first stop point. The sector is roughly 3 hours drive from Kigali through Cyanika border. Also, Rushaga sector can be easily accessed by air. Here travelers can use a charter flight to kisoro airstrip from where you connect to Rushaga.
Availability of lodges
Rushaga sector is well served with a variety of luxury, midrange and budget lodges, which serve travelers with excellent food and sleeping services. The available lodges in Rushaga sector include gorilla safari lodge, chameleon hill, Ichumbi lodge, Mutanda lake resort, Bwindi jungle lodge and gorilla valley lodge among others. These lodges hire professional, knowledgeable staff who not only offer excellent services but basic knowledge about gorilla tourism in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Also these lodges organize other activities such as community visits and forest walks, which make your safari to Bwindi a complete package.
Other sectors in Bwindi
Buhoma sector situated in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Gorilla families in Buhoma are Mubare family, Habinyanja family, and Rushegura family. Buhoma has a unique history being the first sector to be visited by first travelers. Mubare is the first gorilla family to be habituated in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Gorilla families in Ruhija sector are Oruzogo family, Bitukura family, and kyaguliro family.
Nkuringo sector is also located east of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Travelers to this sector get a chance to trek Nkuringo gorilla family, which reward them with a lifetime experience.
On the actual of trekking, all travelers to Rushaga are advised to gather at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park headquarters in Rushaga at 7:00am for a briefing. In general, Rushaga is an exceptional gorilla region you should not miss out on your gorilla tour to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Book a gorilla safari to Bwindi, meet face to face with the critically endangered species in their natural habitat and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
