Located in southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Rushaga sector is one of the four regions that shelter mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest. Rushaga sector is easily accessed from Kisoro district hence the nearest gorilla region for those trekking Uganda gorillas from Kigali Rwanda. With an increase of Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking, Rushaga sector has apparently become the most visited gorilla region in Bwindi Forest. Often times, potential travelers inquiring about gorilla safaris in Bwindi forest have asked why should one trek gorillas in Rushaga sector. Are you wondering why you should trek gorillas in Rushaga sector? Yes, there are many reasons as to why Rushaga sector outcompetes other gorilla regions in terms of tourist arrivals. Whereas each gorilla region offers a different magical mountain gorilla encounter, African Apes Tours brings you reasons why you should trek gorillas in Rushaga sector. These include among others:
High number of gorilla families and permits
Yes, Rushaga sector is home to the highest number of habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. Rushaga is home to five gorilla groups namely Nshongi family, Kahungye family, Bweza group, Mishaya family and Busingye gorilla family. The high number of gorillas guarantee travelers availability of gorilla permits giving high number of travelers a chance to trek gorillas unlike in other gorilla regions especially Buhoma where gorilla permits sell out easily. Each gorilla family is visited by eight people hence 40 permits available each day.
Gorilla Habituation experience
In addition to gorilla trekking, Rushaga sector is a center of gorilla habituation experience. This experience is all about training and familiarization of wild mountain gorillas to the presence of people before they are officially opened for trekking. Apparently, two gorilla families namely Bushaho and Bikyingi groups are undergoing habituation experience. Unlike in gorilla trekking where 8 people visit a gorilla family, only 4 people are allowed to visit a gorilla family in the habituation experience. Travelers in gorilla habituation experience have a chance of spending extended time (four hours) with gorillas hence the best opportunity to learn and enjoy the company of these endangered species. A single gorilla habituation experience permit costs $1500 but the magical feeling associated with this experience is worth the money. Rushaga is the only gorilla sector where habituation experience takes place. This means that everyone who wants to take part in this memorable experience must visit Rushaga sector.
Easy access from Kigali Rwanda
The drive time from Kigali Rwanda to Rushaga sector is roughly 4 hours hence the nearest gorilla region for those who want to Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking. Travelers from Kigali to Rushaga cross through Cyanika border in Kisoro district. Its undeniable that most Uganda gorilla safaris starting from Kigali are done in Rushaga sector due to the nearness of the region to Rwanda. More still, the region is the best place for those doing a 1 Day Uganda gorilla tour starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Here travelers leave Kigali Rwanda at 3:00 am, drive for four hours to attend a gorilla briefing at Rushaga Park headquarters at 7:00 am. At the end of the trek, travelers are driven back to Kigali for their connecting flights.
Availability of Accommodation Facilities
Yes, Rushaga is known to have an endless list of luxury, mid-range and budget lodges, camps and hotels to offer you excellent food and sleeping services at reasonable prices. The availability of lodging facilities in Rushaga sector saves travelers the hustles and stresses of long-distance hours to and from the trek. Fortunately, most lodges in Rushaga sector are located near park headquarters which make it easy for travelers when going for registration and pre gorilla trekking briefing at the start of the trekking day. The top lodges and camps in Rushaga sector include:
1. Gorilla Safari Lodge
2. Gorilla Valley Lodge
3. Ichumbi Lodge
4. Lake Mutanda Resort
5. Chameleon Hill Lodge
6. Rushaga Gorilla Camp
A team of professionals, kind and welcoming waiters, waitresses, managers, chefs and housekeepers awaits you on all lodges to ensure a safe and comfortable stay on your Uganda gorilla safari to Rushaga sector.
Other gorilla regions in Bwindi Forest
Besides the Rushaga sector, mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park further live in three more regions. These include the Buhoma sector in the northern region of Bwindi Forest and home to Mubare gorilla family, the Rushegura gorilla family, the Habinyanja gorilla group and Katwe gorilla family. Ruhija sector in the eastern region of Bwindi Forest is a shelter for gorilla families such as the Oruzogo family, Kyaguliro group and Butukura gorilla family. The other gorilla region in Bwindi Forest is Nkuringo in the southern region and home to Nkuringo gorilla family and Christmas family.
How to book Uganda gorilla safaris to Rushaga sector?
African Apes Holidays is at your service to book and reserve Uganda gorilla safaris to Rushaga sector. Yes, we help you book and reserve gorilla permits, gorilla lodges/hotels and make a customized gorilla itinerary to suit your time and budget. Alternatively, you can book Uganda gorilla permits through Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government body responsible for gorilla tourism and wildlife conservation in Uganda.
In general, Rushaga gorilla region is best gorilla sector to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The high number of gorilla families, easy access from Kigali, availability of permits, availability of accommodation facilities make Rushaga the best gorilla region in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park.
