Book gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. Rushaga has eight gorilla families Bweza, Nshongi, Busingye, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bikingi, Rwigi, and Mucunguzi. Trekking starts with a morning briefing and groups of 8 people led by a park ranger. The trek takes 2 to 6 hours in the forest. Gorilla permits cost USD 800 for foreign non residents. You can book through Uganda Wildlife Authority or a tour operator. Visit in dry months June to August and December to February for easier trekking conditions and better access.
Rushaga sector is located in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. In 1991, the forest of Bwindi was established as a national park, and its dense, dark forest led to its name, “Bwindi Impenetrable.” The park is part of the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area and is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, hosting almost half of the world’s remaining population. Rushaga sector has the highest number of habituated gorilla families, with eight families: Bweza, Nshongi, Busingye, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bikingi, Rwigi, and Mucunguzi.
Highlights of Rushaga Sector Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Rushaga sector is in the southern part of Bwindi in southwestern Uganda
- Rushaga has the highest number of gorilla families; over eight families Bweza, Nshongi, Busingye, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bikingi, Rwigi, and Mucunguzi
- Rushaga gorilla trekking starts with a morning briefing
- Visitors are grouped in 8 people per gorilla family
- A park ranger leads the group in the forest
- Rushaga trekking takes about 2 to 6 hours
- You may see birds, plants, and other wildlife during the trek
- Gorilla permits cost USD 800 for foreign non residents, USD 700 for foreign residents & UGX 300,000 for East African nationals
- Permits can be booked through Uganda Wildlife Authority or a tour operator
- Rushaga is open all year for trekking
- Best time is June to August and December to February
- The park is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas
- Access by road from Kampala or Entebbe takes about 10 hours
- Access by air is through Kisoro airstrip
- Other activities include community walks, nature walks, bird watching, Batwa visits, and gorilla habituation
Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga Sector
Gorilla trekking refers to the activity of hiking through the lush forest in search of mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector begins early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters.
Tourists are then grouped into parties of 8 people, and each group is assigned a specific gorilla family to trek.
Tourists are led by a well-trained park ranger who guides them throughout the trekking experience while sharing information about the gorillas.
During the trek, tourists may encounter different wildlife species, including birds, plants, and tree species, among others.
The entire trekking experience lasts between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the speed of the group and the location of the gorillas.
Cost of Rushaga Gorilla Permits
- USD 800 for foreign non-residents
- USD 700 for foreign residents
- UGX 300,000 for East African nationals
How to Book a Rushaga Gorilla Permit
Gorilla permits can be secured through a trusted tour operator or directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Best Time to Go Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga
The Rushaga sector is open for trekking year-round, but the best time to trek is during the dry season when the trails are less muddy and slippery.
The dry months are June to August and December to February.
How to Get to Rushaga Sector of Bwindi
- By Road: Tourists can travel to Rushaga by road, starting from Kampala or Entebbe to Kabale, then proceeding to Rushaga. The journey takes about 10 hours, covering 340 km.
- By Air: Tourists who prefer air travel can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield, landing at Kisoro Airstrip. From there, they can connect to Rushaga by road.
Other Activities in Rushaga Include:
- Community walks
- Nature walks
- Bird watching
- Batwa cultural encounters
- Gorilla habituation
Gorilla trekking in Rushaga is a very interesting experience, and tourists have an amazing time with the giant apes in the wild.
