Ruhija Sector
Ruhija sector / region is a home to over three gorilla families and one of the four gorilla trekking regions of Bwindi National Park. Visiting this Ruhija sector you will enjoy trekking through the forest to exquisite views of lush rolling hills and the distant Virunga mountains.
This gorilla sector lies in the East of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and is easily accessible from Buhoma and Kabale. More so, Ruhija region is know as best topographically diverse sector and is mainly used for scientific research.
Ruhija sector sits at an altitude above 2,500m and it has unmatched views of forest ridge after forest ridge, all the way to the Virunga mountains.
Along your visit to Ruhija sector -you can take park in hiking to the top of Rwamunyonyi peak ‘’2,607m’’, known as the hill of many birds. Rwamunyonyi is the highest and coldest point in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest -due to large swamp in the area.
Ruhija region is the only area in the park where elephants are present. Other animals include; monkeys and antelopes.
This sector has three fully habituated gorilla families and fewer permits are sold out daily. More so, Ruhija is great option to visit for gorilla trekking if your tour package is combined with visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park home to diversity of animals over 95 mammals and a few safaris destination to explore the unique tree climbing lions.
How to get to Ruhija -Bwindi National Park
Well, Ruhija is located in the eastern region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. From the sector, it makes easiest way to access the north to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a safari. It estimates a 3-hour drive to the Ishasha sector, where you will find the unique tree climbing lions.
You can decide to spend your night in Ishasha or opt to drive north of the Mweya Peninsular and the Kazinga Channel, the Centre of Queens. Activities to combine with gorilla trekking in Queen includes; Boat cruise, Game drives, Chimpanzee tracking, Nature walking among others.
Gorilla families in Ruhija include; the Bitukura family, Oruzogo family and the Kyaguriro group. The Kyaguriro gorilla family is reserved for research and one to trek to this gorilla family must obtain permission in advance from the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority. Permits costs USD700 per person. Uganda Gorilla permits can be purchased direct to Uganda Wildlife Authority a body that governs all the national parks.
Gorilla Trekking in Ruhija Sector
Gorilla trekking is one of the major done activities in Bwindi National Park and main selling activity on Uganda Safaris. The activity starts early in the morning with briefing about gorilla rules and regulations. After, a park ranger will group you into a group of eight people to your assigned gorilla family. You will be led by the guide who is knowledgeable about this forest. Gorilla trekking can take 30 to 7 hours depending on where were last seen the previous day by the guide. But once you find them, you will be given one hour to interact with them, learn from their behaviors, feeding, enjoy photography and capturing of videos for your future remembrance.
Once you locate them, one hour will be given to you to watch them, play, feed, behaviors and enjoy photography.
Besides mountain gorillas -Bwindi National Park is home to other primates like red-tailed monkeys, colobus, L’Hoest’s Monkeys. Also, home to over 350 bird species, meaning birdwatching is rewarding here.
Where to stay;
Ruhija sector stuns with quite number of perfect of accommodations facilities that consists of five grass -thatched luxurious bandas, all self -contained and decorated to blend with nature. It also offers three tented rooms -comprised of a library, lounge, a dining area; safe fireplace and private balcony.
Lodges; Bakiga lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp among others.
When to visit;
The best time to visit Ruhija is from June to August and December to February. These are drier month of the year which make safari more comfortable and rewarding.
How to get there;
From Kampala to the Ruhija sector, it takes between 8 to 9 hours drive dependent on road condition.
Alternatively, use domestic flight from Entebbe Airport ‘’Aero link Uganda’’ to Kihihi Airstrip, approximately 1:15hours making it easiest way to access to Ruhija.
NB- Flights only leave in the morning and are subject to weather conditional on the day.
Get Started Now!
