Gorilla families in Ruhija sector

Gorilla families in Ruhija sector : Ruhija sector is one of the four gorilla trekking sectors, Ruhija sector is situated in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is one of the best locations in Africa for gorilla trekking safari because it is home to the greatest number of mountain gorillas. Four gorilla sectors, like Ruhija sector, is open for hiking every day.

Oruzogo gorilla family.

 One of the gorilla families in the Ruhija region that can be trekked is Oruzogo. The Oruzogoto plant, from which the gorilla family takes its name, is native to the area. Tibirikwata silverback, who oversaw the family’s opening to visitors in 2011, ensured the family’s survival.

With 19 members, Oruzogo was the biggest and most powerful gorilla family in the Ruhija sector. However, the group broke up in 2021 when a silverback named Kasimali and some other members left, leaving only 10 members, including 1 silverback, 4 black backs, 2 female adults, 1 sub-adult female, 2 sub-adult, 1 juvenile, and 1 infant. Due to the playful enthusiasm of the young gorillas that keep trekkers delighted, the Oruzogo gorilla family is an interesting gorilla family in Ruhija.

Bitukura gorilla family. 

Another gorilla family in the Ruhija sector, Bitukura, is accessible daily for trekking safari. The name of the gorilla family comes from the river where it was first observed. About 14 members of the Bitukura gorilla family live there, including the dominant silverback Karamuzi, Rukumu and Rukara silverbacks, Betina and Ruhara adult females, Kamuga and Kamuga adult females, Obia and Mugisha black backs, Twakire and Kabandize juveniles, Kadogo and Mubwindi infants, and a newborn baby.

Kyaguliro A and B gorilla family.

Another gorilla family in the Ruhija sector is the Kyaguliro family. The gorilla family was one of the first gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to be habituated in 1995, however they were only utilised for research. Zeus silverback initially held the position of leadership in Kyaguriro, but he was later exiled by Rukina silverback, who took over. Another silverback named Mukiza challenged Rukina as well, taking some of the family to start his own clan. After being struck by lightning in 2012, the Kyaguriro gorilla family was later divided into two groups in 2016. These groups are now known as Kyaguriro A, which is led by Rukara silverback, and Kyaguriro B, which is led by Mukiza silverback. Both gorilla families are typically observed in the same location. While Kyaguriro A is open for hiking with 15 members, Kyaguriro B has been designated for gorilla study.

Gorilla trekking safari experience.

Before gorilla trekking safari experience, which begins very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to observe before gorilla trekking.  You will be split up into groups of eight after the briefing, and each group will be assigned a habituated gorilla family to trek with a park guide who is knowledgeable about the various routes in the jungle. Mountain gorilla trekking in Ruhija sector might take anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours to search for the gorilla families in Ruhija sector, depending on where the gorillas are. This is because they like to wander around in quest of food. Once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat, giving you the chance to learn more about their behaviors and habits and watch them go about their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, and grooming young ones, among other things. While trekking, you will be able to see various bird species, other primate species, mammals, and tree species.

Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Ruhija sector.

In Ruhija sector, gorilla trekking permits costs 250,000 USD per person for East African citizens, 700 USD per person for foreign residents, and 800 USD per person for foreign non-residents.

How to book gorilla trekking permits in Ruhija sector.

 

You can reserve gorilla trekking permits in Ruhija sector directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which will put you in touch with the park’s headquarters in Kampala via email or phone calls.

You can also reserve gorilla trekking permits in Ruhija sector by getting in touch with a reputable travel agency like Primate Holidays and telling us what days, months, and years you want to go see the mountain gorilla. In the event that permits are available on your dates after you contact us, you will be required to submit a deposit. Once we have your payment, we will buy the permits you need and send you a confirmation email with a scanned copy of the receipt.

How to get to Ruhija sector for gorilla trekking. 

It takes around 9 to 10 hours to drive from Kampala to Ruhija sector, which is situated in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Ruhija sector is reachable by road from Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale.

Additionally, travelers can reach the Ruhija sector by flying into Kigali, Rwanda, and then driving for three to four hours to the Katuna border in the Kabale region to reach the Ruhija sector.

You can also go to Ruhija sector by air, by scheduling domestic flights with Aero link Uganda or Bar Aviation from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip, and then travelling by road to the Ruhija sector which is the easy way.