Rushaga Sector of Bwindi is one of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The sector is located in the southern region of Bwindi. The Rushaga Sector is known for having the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world, with over 200 gorillas habituated in the sector.
While in this sector, a person is 100% sure of spotting these primates, which share 98% of their DNA with human beings. The uniqueness of this sector is that it is the only sector worldwide where gorilla habituation is done.
Gorilla Families in Rushaga Region of Bwindi
Gorilla families in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi include
- Nshongi Gorilla Family: The Nshongi Gorilla Family gets its name from the Nshongi River, where it first lived. Nshongi River was given this name because the water looks like honey, and the name means “Omushongi Gwoboki” in the local language. This family was formed in 2007, and later, in 2010, Mishaya, a dominant silverback, separated from the group with 10 members, leaving 26 members. Later, in 2013, Bweza, a dominant silverback, also separated from the group with some members. Currently, the Nshongi family has 7 members.
- Mishaya Family: The Mishaya Family is one of the families in Rushaga, formed when Mishaya separated from the group with 10 members. The family currently has 8 members, including 1 silverback, 5 adult females, 1 juvenile, and 1 infant. The dominant silverback leading the family is Tinfayo.
- Kahungye Family: The Kahungye Family was formed in 2009, and trekking commenced in 2011. The group had 27 individuals under the leadership of Ruhemuka, a silverback who later died. The group split, forming the Busingye family, leaving Kahungye with 17 members. Currently, the group has 13 members under the leadership of Geigi and his subordinate, Rumanzi.
- Busingye Family: This family separated from the Kahungye Gorilla Family in 2012, deriving its name from the Busingye silverback. The family currently has 9 members, including 1 silverback, 1 blackback, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 3 infants.
- Bweza Family: The Bweza Family got its name from Bweza, the silverback that separated from the Nshongi group to form this family. The Bweza family has 12 members, including 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult female, 4 blackbacks, and 2 infants.
- Bikingi Gorilla Family: The Bikingi Family got its name from Bikingi, a silverback in 2012. The Bikingi Gorilla Family is comprised of 12 members, including 2 silverbacks, 5 adult females, 1 juvenile, and 4 infants.
Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga
Gorilla trekking starts as early as 7 a.m. with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rules and regulations.
Tourists are then grouped into groups of 8 and allocated a specific gorilla family to trek.
Each day, only 8 people are allowed to visit each gorilla group.
Trekking takes about 1 to 4 hours, depending on where the gorillas are located.
Best Time to Visit Rushaga
The best time to visit the Rushaga Sector is during the dry season, although it can also be visited during other seasons.
The dry months are June to August and December to February, as there is less rainfall and the trails are not slippery or muddy.
Cost of a Rushaga Gorilla Permit:
- USD 800 for foreign non-residents
- USD 700 for foreign residents
- UGX 300,000 for East African citizens
How to Access the Rushaga Sector
The Rushaga Sector can be accessed by road transport. Tourists can travel via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale highway, and then to Rushaga, which takes 10 hours.
Alternatively, tourists can access the Rushaga Sector by air transport from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip, then proceed to the Rushaga park headquarters by road.
Accommodation in Rushaga
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
- Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Nshongi Camp
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp
- Beeza Gorilla Lodge
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
- Four Gorillas Lodge
- Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Rushaga Sector is a hidden gem that offers unforgettable experiences to nature lovers.
