Gorilla Trekking in Ruhija Sector – The Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi is a tropical rain-forest in southwestern Uganda and home to over 459 gorilla individuals.
The national park is governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the body responsible for all national parks in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park receives heavy rainfall, ranging from 1,400 mm to 1,900 mm annually, with temperatures ranging from 7°C to 15°C (minimum) and 20°C to 27°C (maximum).
The park is located at an altitude of 1,190 to 2,507 meters above sea level in the Kigezi Highlands.
Ruhija sector has four gorilla families: Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguriro, and Mukiza gorilla families.
Gorilla Trekking in Ruhija
Gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector starts early in the morning because gorillas are most active during the morning hours when they search for food in the forest.
Tourists begin with a briefing at the park headquarters, where they are informed of the rules and regulations for trekking gorillas in Ruhija.
Some of the key rules include maintaining a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas, prohibiting the use of flash photography, avoiding loud noises, refraining from eating in front of the gorillas, and not littering the park.
Tourists are then led into the lush forest to observe these magnificent creatures, learning about their behaviors and ways of life under the guidance of a well-trained park ranger.
Tourists are grouped into parties of 8, with each group allocated a specific gorilla family to trek.
The trek lasts between 2 to 6 hours, allowing tourists to have a personalized experience with the gorillas in the wild.
Cost of Gorilla Permits in Ruhija Sector
- Foreign non-residents: USD 800 per person
- Foreign residents: USD 700 per person
- East African citizens: UGX 300,000 per person
Best Time to Trek in Ruhija
Gorilla trekking in Ruhija can be done year-round; however, the best time is during the dry season. The dry months, June to August and December to February, offer easier trekking due to dry trails.
How to Get There
- By Air: Tourists who prefer air transport can book daily flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip, and then connect to Ruhija by car.
- By Road: Ruhija sector can also be accessed by road from Entebbe or Kampala, with a journey time of about 10 hours covering a distance of 340 km.
Tourists coming from Rwanda can connect to Ruhija via the Katuna border in about 3 to 4 hours.
Accommodation
- Ruhija Community Rest Camp
- Ruhija Gorilla Guest House
- Broadbill Forest Camp
- Gift of Nature Lodge
- Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Agandi Lodge
- Bakiga Lodge
Other Activities
- Gorilla habituation
- Nature walks
- Bird watching
- Batwa encounters
- Community walks
- Biking
By and large, gorilla trekking in Ruhija offers wonderful experiences, providing tourists with personalized encounters with the great apes.