Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sits along the edge of the East African rift at an altitude of between 1,160 and 2,607 meters above sea level. It forms part of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a very diverse region with close to 400 species of plants and other forms of vegetation. The forest is home to half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas that live deep within the park.
These majestic creatures do not survive in captivity, making it is essential that their habitat in Bwindi is preserved. These highly intelligent animals are very gentle and live in family groups with one leader, a male known as a silver-back. He can weigh up to 120kg and will defend his family to death if they are threatened in any way. Other wildlife in the forest includes many other species of primates, such as baboons and chimps. You can also expect to find Bushbuck antelope and around 350 species of birds.
The Buhoma sector
The park has four sectors to track the mountain gorilla which include Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija, this sector lies in the eastern part of the park with 4 habituated gorillas families that can be explored by any visitor with a valid permit to track. They are led by one strong silver-back who supports the family fearlessly at all times. one of the groups was dedicated to research before it was open to tracking the Kyagurilo group with 9 family member’s other groups include Oruzugo group of 19, Bitukura with 12 members, and the Mukiza group a newly formed group as per 2007 with 12 family members.
The Ruhija Sector
The tracking experience in Ruhija is incredible due to its strategic location positioned between the Buhoma region in the north of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kabale in the south having easy access routes on both sides of the section. Trackers are allocated different gorilla families in groups of eight following a morning briefing from an Uganda wildlife authority park ranger or a lead guide, besides these brown-eyed majestic creatures, the park has other primates like the black and white colobus monkey, l’hoest monkey, Ruhija is an important bird area with the endemic African green broadbill found only in this sector.
Commonly safaris pass through queen Elizabeth national park via the Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions and more game-like waterbucks, topi, elands, elephants, impala, baboons among other animal species. Arriving at Buhoma approximately 53km to Ruhija.
Ruhija is approximately a 2-hour drive from lake Buyonyi a magnificent beautiful lake covering thousands of islands it’s the deepest Lake in Uganda with an approximate 6500ft deep offering the best relaxation and recreational environment with a canoe ride around the beautiful islands.
Accommodations in Bwindi
Accommodation is available at Ruhija and around for example the Bakiga lodge, Ruhija gorilla camp, Broadbill Forest Camp Ruhija or one can alternatively have a stay at Buhoma with more facilities however a stay at Buhoma requires an early morning drive to Ruhija. It is advisable to book accommodation in the Ruhija sector when tracking in Ruhija.
