Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Buhoma
ONE OF THE MOST VISITED REGIONS FOR GORILLA TREKKING SAFARIS
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Buhoma Overview
The Buhoma sector is located on the Northern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP), one of the most visited regions for gorilla trekking safaris. Buhoma is where the first gorilla family was habituated and opened for gorilla trekking in Uganda in 1993. Mubare gorilla family is the first gorilla group to open for trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Aside from Mubare, the Buhoma sector also has other habituated families including Habinyanja, Rushegura and Katwe.
Mubare family
Mubare gorilla group is the oldest family to open for gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mubare underwent through habituation from 1991 to 1993 when it was ready for trekking. When it officially opened for tourism, there were 12 mountain gorillas in this group. Their composition reduced when others left to join other groups or died due to natural causes.
Habinyanja group
Habinyanja gorilla group, H-Group underwent through habituation from 1997 to 1999 when it officially opened for trekking. Over 18 mountain gorillas make up the H-Group including its leader. This group was spotted in a swamp and the word Habinyanja is translated as Nyanja. You require at least 5 hours to trek Habinyanja group and an hour is guaranteed for you to enjoy up close and personal with its members.
Rushegura
Rushegura group also referred to the R-Group. It is one of the groups in Bwindi with the biggest composition representing about 21 members. This group underwent through habituation from 2000 and in 2002, the first group of tourists visited it.
Katwe
Katwe gorilla group is Buhoma’s newest group. This group consists of silverback, 2 babies and 4 adult females.
ACTIVITIES TO DO
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector is about exploring its habituated families, and each gorilla family is visited by a maximum of 8 tourists. The normal trek begins in the morning at 8:00 am and runs for 2 to 6 hours which also includes one hour of a close encounter. The gorilla families to visit in the Buhoma region: Katwe, Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Mubare.
If Buhoma is your preferred region for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, then consider securing gorilla permits early enough. Like other gorilla trekking areas, gorilla permits for the Buhoma sector go for USD700 per person for foreign non-residents; USD600 applies to foreign residents and East African citizens shs. 250,000.
Explore the finest trails in Buhoma sector with an experienced park guide. Buhoma region’s hiking trails include Munyaga, waterfall trail, river ivy, Rushura, Muzubijiro and more.
Buhoma offers amazing birding experience in its trails. The different trails to visit for bird watching in Buhoma region: waterfall, ivy river trail, Muzubijiro, Habinyanja, Rushura and Munyanga rive trails. On a guided birding expedition in this region, expect to search for birds such as the double toothed barbet, yellow rumped tinker birds, red headed bluebill, African blue flycatchers, black bee-eaters, sooty falcons, mackinnon’s shrike, common bulbul, African hill babblers, handsome francolin, Rwenzori batis, ross’s turacos, pink footed puff back, blue spotted wood doves, African paradise flycatchers, yellow fronted canary, and white headed saw-wings, etc.
Community tour offers the best of cultural experiences and interaction with the Bakiga and Batwa pygmies. Besides exploring the unique cultures, traditions, and getting entertained by locals, visitors also have opportunity to visit different projects including bee-keeping or have hands-on experiences, especially during craft making.
Where to stay
Places to stay on a safari in the Buhoma sector: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Guesthouse, Bwindi View Bandas, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Buhoma Haven Lodge, and more.
Best time to visit Buhoma sector in Bwindi
Buhoma sector is visited at any time of the year. However, the dry season is by far the best time to go gorilla trekking or hiking. That is the long dry season which runs from June, July, August, to September or December, January to February (short dry/peak season). The rest of the months are the wet/rainy months of the year and come with heavy rains that is March, April, May, October and November.
Getting to Buhoma region
Buhoma sector is situated in the Southwestern Uganda and reaching there is possible by road or air. By road: it will take you about 8-9 hours or more to drive from Kampala/Entebbe to Buhoma sector, taking the Masaka-Mbarara route and this allows you to also make a stopover at the Equator crossing. From Rwanda, depart from Kigali capital for Buhoma, driving via Katuna border to Kabale- about 4-5 hours’ drive. By air: scheduled/chartered flights start from Entebbe airport to Kihihi airfield which is about 2 hours.
