The Easiest and Hardest Gorilla Sectors to Trek in Bwindi – Bwindi is located about 478 km away from the capital city Kampala in the southwestern region of Uganda. It is found in the districts of Kisoro, Kanungu, and Kabale.
The park is situated over a series of steep ridges and valleys, as well as on the edge of the Rift Valley. The steep ridges are blanketed by one of Uganda’s dense rainforests, which are a habitat for wildlife.
The national park is home to about 459 mountain gorillas organized in families that can be trekked.
Furthermore, the park provides shelter to 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants, antelopes, 350 species of birds, 200 butterfly species, and many reptiles.
The major tourist attractions are the mountain gorillas, which have made the park popular worldwide. The Mubare gorilla group was the first to become available for tourism in Uganda in 1993.
The park has 20 gorilla families available for trekking by tourists.
The Easiest and Hardest Sectors to Trek in Bwindi
There are four sectors in Bwindi where gorilla trekking is experienced: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each of these offers a different experience during gorilla trekking.
The Easiest Sector to Trek in – Buhoma Sector
Among all the four sectors, Buhoma is the easiest sector to trek gorillas. Buhoma is located in the northern part of the park. It is easily accessible for those using air transport and road transport because it is close to Kihihi airstrip and it is a 2-hour drive from Kabale town.
Buhoma is home to the first gorilla family known as Mubare, making it a top destination for tourists. It consists of other families such as Katwe, Habinyanja, and Mugambi.
Buhoma is the easiest to trek because the members are very receptive and fun to trek, and it has an amazing landscape. Other activities carried out in Buhoma are bird watching, nature walks, and visiting local communities like Batwa and Bakiga.
The Hardest Gorilla Sector to Trek – Nkuringo Sector
Nkuringo sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi at an altitude of 1190m to 2607m. This sector harbors three gorilla families, including the Nkuringo and Bushaho families.
The high altitude location of this sector makes trekking challenging and strenuous. Trekking in this sector is more than just trekking; it also involves hiking, making it recommended for young and energetic people.
The Nkuringo sector has 24 gorilla permits available for sale every day.
How to Access the Gorilla Sectors
By Air: Tourists can travel by air from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip using domestic airlines such as Aero Link. Afterward, they can take a 1-hour drive from Kisoro to any gorilla sector.
By Road: Tourists can access gorilla sectors by road from Entebbe or Kampala to Kabale town, which is approximately an 8-9 hour drive.
What to Pack
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Raincoat
- Gardening gloves
- A pair of binoculars
- Cameras
- Waterproof hiking boots
- 2 pairs of long trousers
- A hat
In a nutshell, Bwindi is divided into four sectors, and gorilla trekking is simple and fun.
Tourists are encouraged to book in advance and have a remarkable experience.
