Different Sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Home to almost half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best place to see mountain gorillas in the world and is listed as a World Heritage Site and one of the most famous national parks in East Africa.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is set over 331 square kilometers of steep mountain rainforest, and is home to over 400 mountain gorillas which is undoubtedly Uganda’s biggest tourist drawcard.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into 4 gorilla trekking sectors that is Buhoma Sector, Rushaga Sector, Ruhija Sector and Nkuringo Sector. Each of these gorilla trekking sectors hosts different habituated gorilla families as well gorilla trekking experience.
In this blog, we detail all the four gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Buhoma Sector
Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most popular of the four sectors of Bwindi, situated approximately 2 hours’ drive from Kabale town which is a town close to the park and a 4 hours’ drive from Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park making it a perfect sector for visitors on a Uganda safari combining Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Out of the 4 gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Buhoma Sector is the easiest t trek and also convenient for older people. Buhoma Sector is a pioneer of gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Forest and Uganda, it is the oldest trailhead in Uganda with the Mubare gorilla family as the first gorilla group to be habituated in the park in 1993.
Habituated gorilla families in Buhoma Sector include Rushegura, Katwe, Mubare, Habinyanja and Binyido gorilla family.
In addition to gorilla trekking, other amazing experiences to do in Buhoma Sector include guided nature walks and hiking on several trails including River Ivy Trail, Rushura Hill Trail, Munyaga River Trail and Muzabajiro Loop Trail, Batwa Cultural experience and birding.
Rushaga Sector
The Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southern region of the park, in Kisoro District neighboring Nkuringo Sector. This sector is known for hosting the highest number of habituated gorilla families with a total of 8 gorilla families namely Shongi, Bweza, Kahungye, Bikingi, Bisingye, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, and Kutu.
Rushaga Sector is popular for gorilla reserve and is the only sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offering gorilla habituation experience. This sector is the best option for visitors interested in a 2 Days Gorilla Safari from Kigali, Rushaga is easily accessed from Kigali City in Rwanda via the Cyanika Border in Kisoro on a drive of approximately 4-5 hours.
In addition to gorilla trekking, other activities visitors can do in Rushaga Sector including boat safaris at Lake Mutanda, bird watching, cultural experience of the Batwa Community and gorilla habituation experience.
Nkuringo Sector
The Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in the southern region of the park, home to 3 fully habituated gorilla families. The sector is well known for its view of Mount Nyirangongo and Mount Nyamuragira, and is one of the hardest sectors to trek gorillas in Bwindi because of the terrain.
The sector has high altitudes and is easily accessed from Kabale District which is 45 km to Kisoro on a drive of 3 hours on Kabale – Kisoro Highway. Also, Nkuringo is perfect for visitors on a Bwindi gorilla trekking safari from Kigali, Rwanda. This is because it is easily accessed via the Cyanika Border in Kisoro district on a drive of approximately 5 hours.
Habituated gorilla families in Nkuringo Sector include Nkuringo gorilla family, Bushaho gorilla family and Christmas gorilla family.
Nkuringo Sector is the best sector in Bwindi for those looking to have a stopover visit at Lak Mutanda or Lake Mulehe in Kisoro before or after their gorilla trek. The sector is also recommended who visitors interested in long hikes given that the terrain in Nkuringo Sector are not as steep as those in other sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
In addition to gorilla trekking, visitors can do community tours, guided nature walks and birding tours in Nkuringo Sector.
Ruhija Sector
The Ruhija Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in the eastern part of the park, and suitable for those travelling from Queen Elizabeth National Park as part of their Uganda Wildlife Safari and accessed via the Ishasha Sector renowned for the rare tree climbing lions. This sector is also situated close to Buhoma Sector and is the best option for visitors interested in visiting Lake Bunyonyo after their gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Forest.
Because of the close proximity to Buhoma, it is possible for visitors to sleep in Buhoma and do gorilla trekking in Ruhija Sector.
Ruhija Sector is home to 4 habituated gorilla families including Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguliro and Mukiza gorilla families. The sector lies slightly over 2,500 meters, offering unparalleled vistas of forest crest after the forest ridge, all the way to the Virunga Mountains. Ruhija Sector is the coldest sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Rwamunyonyo Peak which is 2,607 meters above sea level, often known as the “hill of many birds” is the highest and coldest point of Bwindi.
In addition to mountain gorillas, other wildlife species found in Ruhija Sector including elephants, antelopes and monkeys.
Ruhija Sector offers intimate gorilla trekking experience, other amazing experiences to do include cycling/mountain biking, birding, guided nature walks and birding cultural encounters of the Batwa Community.
In conclusion – Regardless of the gorilla trekking sector you chose to visit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will have a great gorilla trekking experience.
