The Ruhija sector is a fraction of the four sectors in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. One of the most visited places by travelers on a Uganda safari. This is because of the rare gem the park possesses, being one of the safe havens for the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. There are only three countries that inhabit these beautiful creatures. These are Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ruhija sector is perched in the eastern region of one of Uganda’s most visited national parks, Bwindi Impenetrable national park. The park protects more than half of the existing mountain gorillas in the world. More than 450 individuals of roughly 1000 individuals living on earth call this park home. Ruhija sector is the most secluded sector and fewer visitors are permitted here making it one of the best sections to trek gorillas in Uganda.
Gorilla families in Ruhija sector.
Ruhija sector only has 4 gorilla families open to visitors; these are Oruzogo family, Bitukura family, Kyaguriro group and Mukiza family. Mukiza gorilla family is the most recent family that was open to visitors for trekking after its split from the former Kyaguriro family.
Mukiza is made up of 10 family members with 1 silverback, 4 adult females, and one sub-adult and 4 infants. The Kyaguriro family was initially reserved for research purposes by the Uganda wildlife authority but is now open to be visitors for trekking experiences.
Gorilla trekking in Ruhija sector.
Gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector lasts from 2 to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas were last located and their daily movements. This experience usually kicks off at 8:00 am after a briefing from a skilled guide who will take you through guidelines to follow while on your trek. This includes keeping together as a group, no littering, not using flash photography, and try to be composed when you meet the gorillas as these magnificent are still wild and might interpret a sudden move as danger and attack. However, this is extremely rare and should not worry you.
Once you find your designated group you are granted only an hour with them as they go about their daily life in their natural habitat. Relish the pleasure of capturing memorable moments of a typical gorilla family as members groom each other, mothers feeding their infants, friendly brawls between males as you get a deeper understanding of their habits and gestures.
Guests with interest in trekking the gentle giants in the Ruhija sector should first acquire gorilla trekking permits about 3 to 6 months before the date they intend to visit gorillas in Uganda. This is meant to ease and effectively plan because they are highly demanded and at times can sell out particularly during peak seasons.
To prevent disappointments, plan and secure your slot in advance. A gorilla permit in Ruhija sector go for $600 – foreign residents, $700 for foreign non-residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.
What more to do other than gorilla trekking?
Although gorilla trekking is the primary activity in Ruhija sector, this region also offers terrific hiking opportunities with fascinating hiking trails. Furthermore, Ruhija holds the perfect atmosphere for nature walks for instance the Rwamunyonyi peak that lets you have beautiful views of the rolling terrain and forest canopy of the area as you listen to various soothing bird vocalizations.
The sector harbors extra primates including different monkey species, plus the only elephants in Bwindi and a few antelopes.
You can also engage in mountain biking tours, community encounters and bird watching adventures
How to get to Ruhija sector?
The park is found in the southwestern corner of Uganda. A drive on road lasts about 8 to 9 hours and provides one of the best views of western countryside with rolling hills and terraces. This region is coined as the Switzerland of Africa.
However, you can also plan a chartered flight that only lasts 1.5 hours from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe Airport to drop you at Kihihi airstrip in Kanungu District near the park.
Gorillas are an extremely endangered species and an encounter with them in their natural environment is a golden moment everyone desires to have to explain the huge numbers flocking to these destinations.
Plan a gorilla trip to Ruhija sector and count yourself among the few people to have experienced such an adventure.
