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Ruhija Sector – Gorilla trekking Sector in Bwindi

Ruhija Sector – Gorilla trekking Sector in Bwindi: The Ruhija sector is located on the eastern side of Uganda's 331 square kilometers Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which houses and protects more than half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas.

Ruhija opened up as a gorilla-tracking destination in October 2008 following the habituation of the Bitukura group, which ranges across the steep mountainside between the roadside trailhead and Ruhija Ridge and Mubwundi Swamp several hundred meters below. There are 4 habituated gorilla families active for gorilla trekking experience on a daily basis, eight gorilla permits are available for each family, in total there are 32 gorilla trekking permits available for tourists on a daily basis.

The rocky landscape of steep hills and valleys adjacent to the Congolese border south of Ishasha and north of Kisoro is another feature of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The tangled forested slopes of Bwindi provide protection to one of Africa's most diverse primates, including 50 percent of the global mountain gorilla population, 600 mountain gorillas in Uganda, 204 in Rwanda, and 200 mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Gorilla Tracking Families in Ruhija Sector

The Ruhija Sector

Gorilla tracking at Ruhija sector is once in a lifetime encounter, there are four habituated gorilla families namely the Mukiza gorilla family, Kyaguliro gorilla family, Bitukura gorilla family, and Oruzogo gorilla family. In this article, we are going to talk about all the gorilla families in the Ruhija Gorilla Sector.

The Bitukura Gorilla Family with 14 individuals including four silverbacks was habituated in 2007; there are four silverbacks, four adult females, two juveniles, three infants, and one baby. Initially, this group consisted of 24 individuals but due to disputes and fights in the group, some individuals decided to move to other areas.

The Oruzogo Gorilla Group consists of 17 individuals with one silverback and has become a favored site for tourists simply because of the joyful and playful individuals that entertain the visitors. The Oruzogo Gorilla Group was opened for tourism in 2011.

Oruzogo gorilla family members include Bakwate “old silverback”, Kaganga (silverback), Kasumali (silverback), six adult females whose names include Nyangaro, Katoto, Ruchura, Mutesi, Nyakina and Mukwano, one black back Bwengye, three sub-adult males Nyakashunja, Musenene, Nyabirano, and Muhumuza, two infant males Mufuruki and Paska, one infant female Musana.

After the UWA officials briefing you about the gorilla trek, your driver guide drives you north to the starting point of your gorilla trek. You must be physically fit to track mountain gorillas at the Ruhija sector, expect to climb rough and high terrains of Bwindi in search of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

The Kyaguliro Gorilla Group consists of 23 individuals; this group is not usually visited due to the fact that it was reserved for research. The group later split into two groups after a sudden death of a mature silverback that was struck by lightning. After its death the family was left with a young silverback which was later attacked by a mature silverback from the Bitukura group, thus forcing the group to split into two groups commonly as Kyaguliro A headed by Rukara with 10 family members composed of 1 silverback, 2 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 2 infants and Kyaguliro B headed by Mukiza composed of 1 silverback, 4 adults females 1 adult and 4 infants.

Mukiza gorilla group consist of 15 individuals – 1 silverback, 7 adult females 1 adult male, 2 sub-adults, 2 juveniles, and 3 infants, the family was formed after one of the silverbacks in Kyagulio B got misunderstanding with another silverback in Kyaguliro A. the group is known for being very deep in the jungle, Tourists who trek this group encounter a lot of fauna (primates species and forest elephants) and flora, trekkers usually spend 2-3 hours to reach this family.

How to get to Ruhija Sector

Ruhija can be accessed from several angles. If you are coming from Kampala/Entebbe, it’s better to go through Kabale town and then proceed to Ruhija. Coming from Kampala, you may branch off at Ntungamo to Rukungiri, Kihihi or Butogota then drive another two hours to Ruhija.

All these routes require a four-wheel-drive vehicle as some sections of the road is rough, bumpy, dusty and during rainy seasons, they tend to get muddy.

By Air transport Kihihi Airstrip also known as Savannah Airstrip is the nearest Airstrip to the Ruhija sector, located in Kanungu District southwestern Uganda – expect 3 hours drive from Kihihi Airstrip to Ruhija mountain gorilla sector.

Where to stay

· Luxury - Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Agandi Uganda Eco-lodge.

· Mid-Range - Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp,

· Budget - Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort.

Uganda Travel Advisory Post – Covid 19

Uganda is one of the best destinations for gorilla trekking, wildlife safari, biding trips, marine trips, and cultural experiences, due to the covid 19 pandemic, the entire world has been divided into two groups. You are either part of the vaccinated or non-vaccinated group. Due to the fact that travel limitations range from one group to the next, a variety of travel and conduct-related problems have emerged in the context of gorilla trekking.

Entebbe International Airport is open and travelers can see Gorillas and wildlife in their natural habitat. As of 18 June, there are some restrictions at land borders. COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place for arriving and departing passengers.

How to travel to Uganda post – covid 19

Uganda welcomes international tourists. With the exception of the Uganda-Rwanda border, all international borders and the Entebbe International Airport are open to inbound and outgoing travel, but with limitations. Despite the fact that the entire country is currently under a second lockdown, airport security, police officers, security operatives, and tourism agencies are all following strict normal operating protocols to prevent Covid-19 from spreading.

Are Uganda's national parks open to visitors?

Yes, Uganda's national parks have been open to tourists since September 2020. National parks managed by UWA allow locals and non-residents alike to enter and view the wildlife while adhering to strict operational regulations. Compulsory facemasks, regular hand sanitization, keeping ten meters away from the animals, not feeding the animals, no sedans, and crowded vehicles in the park are just a few of the most crucial practices.

Accommodation

Hotels and restaurants are open with social distancing measures in place and food delivery services remain operational outside of curfew hours though may be impacted by the 5 pm restriction on motorbikes and mopeds. As of 6 June, lodges may remain open but must close their bar.

In Uganda, what do you need to go gorilla trekking?

A gorilla permit is required to trek the mountain gorillas in Uganda. You must be at least 15 years old and have the financial means to pay for the permit. Foreign non-residents pay US$ 700, foreign residents pay US$ 600, while East African residents pay US$ 75. After obtaining your gorilla trekking permit, you must evaluate the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place to safeguard the safety of both visitors and apes. At all times, a face mask, preferably an N95 or a surgical mask, should be worn.

What are the current limits on travel?

No travelers from India shall be allowed into Uganda regardless of the route of travel, Uganda's borders are open to all foreign visitors from Europe, Canada, and the United States of America. Anyone arriving at Entebbe International Airport with a negative PCR test from a country with Covid Variant Strains, such as Turkey, South Africa, or Brazil, would be subjected to a PCR test. Those in the vaccinated batch, on the other hand, are exempt from performing a Covid-19 PCR test upon arrival.

When is the ideal time to go gorilla trekking?

January, February, July, August, and December have always been the finest months to go gorilla trekking. However, after the entire planet has been put under lockdown for a period of time, there is likely to be a shift in travel patterns, which could make things more difficult.

However, regardless of the weather, you can still go gorilla trekking. A significant number of travelers visit during the off-season, taking advantage of discounts on not just lodging but also gorilla permits and discounted trips. Kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited for more info about gorilla trekking trips and wildlife safaris in Uganda.

Gorilla Tracking Trip from South Africa

In Uganda gorilla tracking activity is carried out in only two national parks in southwestern Uganda namely; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park (Uganda’s portion of the Virunga Massif). Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an excellent option for those looking for a remarkable wildlife encounter, there approximately 480 mountain gorillas in Uganda, and the world’s population is 1004 mountain gorillas, the parks named above are the only parks where you can trek mountain gorillas in Uganda. Given the diversity of wildlife, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has an excellent opportunity for birding, nature walks, and cultural experience.

Before trekking mountain gorillas, all travelers attend a simple briefing about the rules and regulations while with the mountain gorillas. These rules are put to ensure the safety of gorillas and trackers in the jungle. These rules and regulations were put by Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and travelers from the possibility of disease transmission from human to gorilla hence gorilla conservation.

Gorilla Trekking Trip from South Africa

Travelers from South Africa are welcome to the pearl of Africa to go gorilla trekking in their natural habitat. There are so many airlines that fly from South Africa to Uganda.

What are the cheapest airlines to fly from South Africa to Uganda return?

Flying on Ethiopian Air is currently the cheapest option to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa, with prices starting at US$ 255 for Ethiopian Air, US$ 285 for Rwanda Air, US$ 375 for Kenya Airways, and US$ 295 for Uganda Airlines. All airlines have a brief stop at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport; all flights will take approximately 4 hours to reach Entebbe International Airport.

About 3 million travelers from the United State of America, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Turkey, Germany, China, India, Switzerland, Sweden, and some from African countries flock to South Africa for tourism every year.

At Adyeri Creations we tailor discounted gorilla trekking trips in Uganda and Rwanda, travelers who want to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda may choose to book a luxury fly-in gorilla safari or encounter a long drive from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is usually an 8-9 hours drive. For more info about Mountain Gorilla trips and wildlife safaris in Uganda kindly contact Adyeri Creations so we can tailor your long-awaited mountain gorilla experience in Uganda.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest reserve is the second-best chimpanzee tracking destination in Queen Elizabeth National Park, about 300 chimpanzees call this forest home, there are 80 habituated chimps that are used to humans and can be tracked by tourists who visit the Park.

Location of Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu forest is located in southwestern Uganda at the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda’s most reliable chimpanzee trekking option for travelers, who want to visit chimps in their natural habitat, however, there are other seven primates to see on your trek in the forest like L’Hoest’s monkey, blue monkey olive baboon, black and white Colobus, red-tailed monkey, along with nocturnal potto and galago (bush babies).

Kalinzu Forest Reserve is home to more than 400 tree species, 378 bird species, 262 butterfly species, and 97 moth species.

Hiking trails in Kalinzu Forest Reserve

There are four hiking trails in Kalinzu Forest Reserve and hiking takes 1 to 5 hours depending o your physical fitness namely the waterfall trail, palm trail, valley trail, and river trail.

Waterfall trail

It is an 11 km loop trail that will take 3 to 4 hours over some hilly and, in parts wet terrain. This trail leads to a magnificent waterfall. Visitors will be able to discover huge trees that baboons can’t climb and bark cloth trees like Broussonetia Papyrifera and Artocarpus Altilis are used to make ceremonial barkcloth, curtains, and handbags.

The Palm Trail

This is a 5 km circular trail that takes about 2 hours, visitors will discover some fascinating forests trees along this trail including the Newtonia buchananii, Cynometra al Alexandre, Tecla Nobilis, Prunus Africana, Entandrophragma exelsum, Sapium ellipticum, Diospyros abyssinica, Zanthoxylum gilletii, Rytiginia kigeziensis and Spathodea nilotica which are used in making local mats and local herbs which many diseases.

The Valley Trail

This is a 4 km circular track that takes about 2 hours to complete. Visitors will walk along a ridge and see various interesting forest features.

The River Trail

This 2 km circular trail takes approximately 1 hour. The trail goes past some fine specimens of big trees which are home to many chimpanzees other primate species.

Accommodation

There is no accommodation in the reserve; however, visitors who trek chimps have a variety of lodge where they can stay in the northern area of Queen Elizabeth National Park namely Mweya safari lodge, Enjojo lodge, Engiri game lodge, bush lodge, topi lodge, Park view safari lodge, Katara lodge among others. For more info about primates safaris in Kalinzu Forest Reserve kindly contact Adyeri Creations so we can tailor your unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda.

Luxury Gorilla Experience in the Rushaga Sector Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Uganda is one of the three countries where you can have a close encounter with the mountain gorillas in southwestern Uganda’s dense forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Come face to face with humanity's giant cousins, the mountain gorillas! Most tourists who visit the Rushaga area - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park come to see the endangered Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat; there are approximately 1012 mountain gorillas in the wild, about half of the remaining populations of mountain gorilla live in Uganda in two national parks namely Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park totaling up to 463 habituated Mountain Gorillas in Uganda the Pearl of Africa.

Luxury Gorilla Safari in the Rushaga Sector

Rushaga area is found in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the park is known for the largest number of habituated mountain gorillas groups. At Rushaga there are seven habituated mountain gorilla groups namely Mishaya 11 individuals 1 silverback, Kahungye 13 individuals 3 silverbacks, Busingye 9 individuals 1 silverback, Bikingi 15 individuals 1 silverback, Muchunguzi 8 individuals 1 silverback, Nshongi 26 individuals 4 silverbacks and Bweza 9 individuals 1 silverback. Rushaga is the most focused gorilla tracking site for tourists who either want to trek mountain gorilla for 1 hour or encounter gorilla habituation for 4 hours and the only sector where one can encounter gorilla habituation experience in the whole world. This gorilla sector has the most gorilla population, there are 2 gorilla families in the Impenetrable forest that are under habituation process and visitors can habituate these families, big thanks to conservatives and well-trained guides who train these mighty cousins to get used to human presence.

Uganda is exceptionally diverse! This is largely due to its location in east-central Africa, in a zone of overlap between ecological communities’ characteristic of the dry East African savanna, and West African rainforests. It is also partly the result of the country's great topographical diversity,

When you fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip you have an opportunity to see the rolling Volcanoes Mountains namely Muhavura, Gahinga, and Virunga, beautiful scenery and rolling hills. On arrival at Kisoro Airstrip, you meet our experienced driver-guide who will transfer you to Rushaga Rushaga Gorilla sector, a drive which usually takes 2 hours to your lodge, check-in at your lodge, and relax. On the drive to the Rushaga area, you will be thrilled with a breathtaking encounter of the mountains, rolling hills, and creeks that will amaze you on your way to your reserved lodge.

When is the best time to see Mountain Gorillas?

The best time to visit mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat is June to September and December to February, forest trails in these months are drier making Gorilla tracking encounter enjoyable and easier compared to visiting in the wet months of March to May and September to November when the weather is characterized by heavy daily rainfall, making the forest trails bushy and slippery. In Uganda it is hard to predict when it is going to rain or not simply because the country is crossed by the Equator, thus experiencing an equatorial climate, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the Western Rift Valley with good terrain for travelers who would love mountaineering the Majestic Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. In conclusion, Gorilla Safaris in Uganda can be visited throughout the year.

Where to stay on this trip

Rushaga sector is a luxurious destination, for travelers who want to travel on a luxury gorilla experience don’t hesitate to contact Adyeri Creations so we can tailor your unforgettable gorilla experience, there so many luxury accommodation facilities where a visitor to the Park can remarkable stay, good fresh food, good people and culture, Rushaga is only 18 km to Nkuringo Gorilla Sector, visitors to the Rushaga sector can either stay in Rushaga or Nkuringo, luxury lodges include Four Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mutanda Resort. Come share our passion for African Culture and primates through Adyeri Creations, kindly contact us so we can tailor your unforgettable dream to see mountain gorillas in their natural come true in Uganda the pearl of Africa.

Things to do and see in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second-largest, and the most diverse national park, set in the low lying Rift Valley where it crosses the equator south of the lofty Rwenzori Mountains and north of the Kigezi Highlands. Queen Elizabeth comprises open grassland and savannah, which tends to be moister in the west than in the east. A variety of thorny acacias predominate in the savannah habitats, Queen Elizabeth is home to about 95 mammal species, 10 primate species namely chimpanzees, vervet monkey, black and white Colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, baboon, and blue monkey are usually seen roaming in the park.

Things to do and see in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda’s busiest safari destination, Queen Elizabeth National Park makes for a convenient stopover en route between Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale Forest National Park. The park’s most popular attraction is a scenic boat trip that runs out of the Meya Peninsula along the Kazinga channel past large herds of buffalo, elephants, and hippo. Game drives on the Kasenyi plains; chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge and birding along the lakeshore, swamp, grassland to lowland forest.

Game Viewing

Your wildlife safari will be enhanced by early morning game drives to visit some of the top wildlife destinations. Wildlife safari experience through Kasenyi Plains or the Ishasha sector offers a good chance of seeing sitatunga antelopes, warthog, savannah elephants, lions, leopards, civet, waterbucks, topis among others. Taking an experienced guided game drive in the morning or evening is the most effective approach to track a vast array of mammals in their natural habitat.

Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge commonly known as the valley of Apes is another place you should visit on your safari, the 16km dramatic gorge on the eastern side of the park is home to habituated chimps. The experience is more than trekking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, when you take a nature walk in the valley you will be amazed by the landscape of the gorge due to its depth of about 120 meters deep, rich in more than 8 primate species namely habituated chimpanzee, baboon, red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus and abundant bird watching, giant forest hogs, elephants and some lions. Chimpanzee tracking permits for Kyambura Gorge cost US$ 50 per person, a few years ago, Kyambura was one of the most reliable tracking sites in Uganda with a success rate of 85%, and this is still the case when the chimps have easy access to fruiting trees.

Birding

The great variety of habitats in Queen Elizabeth National Park supports a remarkable 610 species of birds namely egret, flamingo, kingfisher, falcons, eagles, Black bee-eater, white-winged warbler, African broadbill, African skimmer, shoebill stork among others. Birding at the park is an incredible excursion as it has a variety of habitats that range from the lakeshore, swamp, grassland to lowland forest.

Boat Cruise

The 2 hours boat cruise on Kazinga Channel will give a great opportunity to see a variety of wildlife; you will be able to see Elephants, hippos, waterbuck, Uganda kob, buffalo. Waterbirds are plentiful, in particular white pink-backed pelicans, white-bellied cormorants, water thick-knee, yellow-billed stork, and bush-shrike.

Kahuzi Biega National Park

The 6,000 km2 Kahuzi Biega National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site named after two extinct volcanoes that dominate its skyline, Mount Biega highest peak at 2,900m and Mount Kahuzi highest peak at 3,300m, which constitute the two of the Mutimba range. Divided into two unequal sections linked by a narrow strip of forest, the park’s eastern portion covers habitat of largely montane primary forest between 1,800m and 3,300m in elevation, while the much larger western section of the Park sees elevation drop to between 600m and 1,500m and habitat for low, forested mountain punctuated by deep river valley leading west towards the Lualaba River.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is the only place in the whole world where you can track the critically endangered eastern lowland gorillas; the park is home to about 300 lowland Grauer’s Gorillas.

Activities/Things to do and see in Kahuzi Biega National Park

Gorilla trekking

The biggest attraction to visitors to the Park is also the world’s biggest primate the eastern lowland gorilla. It’s the largest of all gorilla subspecies – males weigh 160kg, the few hundred gorillas sought to live in Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo can be visited on treks from Tshivanga Park Headquarters visitor’s centre, and the practicalities of gorilla trekking here are broadly similar to those in Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park set out at 8 am, trekking usually lasts an hour, and the mountainous hike to find the gorillas can take anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours depending on their movements.

There are three habituated lowland gorilla families available for trekking every day namely the Bonne Annee family with 8 members, the Pungwe family with 23 members and the Chimanuka family with 19 members.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permit in Kahuzi Biega National Park

Lowland or Grauer’s gorilla permits cost US$ 400 for foreign non-residents, US$ 200 for foreign students, US$ 150 for children above 15 years, US$ 200 for Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries, US$ 100 for East African Community, US$ 80 for The Southern African Development Community, US$ 20 for Congolese adults, US$ 10 for Congolese students and US$ 5 for children above 15 years.

Hike Mount Kahuzi

The 3,300m Mount Kahuzi hike is done in a thigh-burning full-day round trip hike setting out from the Tshivanga visitors’ centre at 09.00. The hike to the summit takes about 4 hours and 3 hours to get back down, through the lush montane forest which opens to a stunning panorama view of the Park and Lake Kivu from the summit. Permits to hike Mount Kahuzi cost US$ 100 foreign non-residents, US$ 70 for students and US$ 50 for East African Citizens.

Hike to the Tshibati Falls

The hike starts with a short trip through farms and fields before crossing into the park for another bushwalking hour until you reach the roaring falls at the end of the valley. Permits for waterfall hike cost US$ 35 for foreign non-residents, US$ 15 for East African Residents and US$ 15 for children.

How to get there and away

Travelers to Kahuzi Biega National Park can access the national park by road or air transport, visitors can opt to fly from Kigali International Airport to Goma International Airport then transfer by road to the Park for about 6 hours, alternatively visitors to the park can embark on 6-7 hours drive from Kigali International Airport to Kahuzi Biega National Park via Rusizi border.

Where to stay

There are many accommodation facilities to choose from for visitors who want to trek lowland gorillas in their natural habitat namely Hotel Begonias, Orchids Safari Club, Guesthouse Formulac, Guesthouse de Lwiro, Mount Kahuzi Hotel among others. For more info about Gorilla Trekking trips in the Democratic Republic of Congo, kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited so we tailor your remarkable trip to Africa.

Rwenzori Mountain National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is situated in western Uganda, near Uganda's frontier with the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the eastern side of the Great East African Valley. With its unique natural beauty, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park was established in 1991 and has since been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountain forest afro-alpine moorland and craggy Glacier Peak of 5109m high, Mountains of the moon provide some of the most challenging and rewarding high altitude hiking anywhere in Africa.

The fauna of the Rwenzori includes 70 mammals and 177 bird species, several of the latter being Albertine Rift endemics. It is also the only national park in Uganda where Angola colobus has been recorded, though identification of this localized monkey requires one to be careful as the similar and more spread black and white colobus also occurs on the mountain, Rwenzori is a lofty East African mountain, the vegetation of Rwenzori can be divided into several altitude zones, each with its own distinct micro-climate, flora and fauna. The afro-montane forest zone, which starts at 1,800m, has the most varied fauna; Rwenzori Mountains National Park is 120 kilometers long and 48 kilometers wide.

What to do in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Mountain climbing

Mountain climbing is the main tourism activity in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park and a rewarding experience that needs enough preparation and good physical fitness. Climbing Rwenzori Mountains is tough because it is cold, wet, terrain steep slopes and boggy but porters are there to help you with the luggage so that you reach the summit. The challenge is worth it when you make it to the peaks. Tourists who are negatively affected by an increase in altitude should treat hypothermia before climbing the mountain.

Tourists should bring a sleeping bag, water-resistant trousers, plastic bags for wet clothes, plenty of food, a raincoat, and warm clothing, among other things. Around the Rwenzori Mountains, there are two separate trailheads: Nyakalengija central circuit, Kilembe trail near Kasese town, and Kazingo nature walk trailhead near Fort Portal town.

The Nyakalengija trail.

Start from Mihungo providing 6 to 7 days of challenge while climbing to the top of the Rwenzori mountains which reaches an altitude of 4,267m above sea level. Along the slopes, as you climb, climbers can view the snowcapped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.

There are well-maintained huts along the mountain slopes where climbers spend nights as they head to the summit. Porters are also available to help climbers carry their luggage they would like to go with to the Rwenzori summits.

Kilembe trail

This trail ascends the Rwenzori Mountains from the trailhead at Kilembe near Kasese town from the south. Climbers get the opportunity to see glacial lakes along Nyamwamba valley and then join the central circuit at Lake Kitandara. For climbers not interested in reaching the summits, you can have a 3 Days climb in the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains that gives you the opportunity to see various birds and beautiful scenery.

Birding

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one of the best birding destinations in Uganda hosting 177 bird species and of which some are endemic to the Albertine rift valley. The Park has different vegetation types like Bamboo, moorland, huge tree heathers, Afro-alpine moorland, and huge tree heathers provide both food and shelter to the beautiful birds within the park. Look out for birds like Rwenzori turaco, flycatcher, greenbul, crimson wing, golden-winged sunbird, blue-headed sunbird, slender-billed sterling, handsome francolin, long-eared owl, and many others.

Nature walks

Experienced and knowledgeable UWA guides lead visitors for nature walks as they interpret nature for tourists. Guided nature walks are done in nearby communities settling on the slopes of Rwenzori Mountains. Visitors can follow River Mubuku with the help of guides for views of Baker, Portal peaks, and the Margherita peak which is the highest of all peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. Guides will identify various bird species for you as you go through different vegetation types and look out for vervet monkeys, squirrels, chameleons, and many other wildlife species.

Cultural encounters

Visiting Rwenzori Mountains National Park is not enough until you also visit communities around the national park because it gives you the opportunity to see and learn how local people cooperate with the management of the national park to improve their standards of living.

Visit the “Bakonzo” living on the slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains to demonstrate what they do in their normal life. They will demonstrate their gardening skills, animal keeping, food preparation, visit blacksmith, basket weavers, traditional healers, traditional dance, and storytelling.

Visiting the Bakonzo is worth it because you get to learn completely different cultures and traditions.

The climate of Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Since the Rwenzori Mountains, National Park is found in the mountainous areas of western Uganda, the climate is cold and wet hence the principal the higher you go, the cooler it becomes.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park receives heavy rainfall that may occur in the months of March to May then August to December.

During the dry season, daily rain is common and the average daily temperature is 10 degrees Celsius while at night it drops below the freezing point.

Accessibility to Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is accessed by two means of transport and there are two routes to use by road. The shortest route is from Kampala to Rwenzori Mountains National Park via Fort Portal is about 5 hours.

Another route to Rwenzori Mountains National Park is from Mbarara in the south and Queen Elizabeth National Park covering a distance of 450km from Kampala. For more info about mountaineering safaris please contact Adyeri Creations Limited so we can tailor your odyssey in East Africa.

Gorilla Tracking in Virunga National Park

Jagged along the border with Rwanda and Uganda lies one of Africa’s most biodiverse conservation area, it protects the entire Congolese portion of the Virunga Volcanoes, Ruwenzori montane woodland, high altitude forests, open savannah, and lowland rainforest.

Virunga National Park is Africa’s richest protected area in terms of avian diversity, with an astonishing 218mammal species like lions, elephants, okapi, buffalo, hippo, antelopes among others, 22 primates namely mountain gorilla, an eastern lowland gorilla, chimpanzee, black and white colobus among others 706 bird species recorded namely yellow billed barbet, black and white casqued hornbill, double toothed barbet, narrow tailed starling, shape’s starling, Ross’s turaco, black-billed turaco among others.

The Virunga Volcanoes are dissected by the international borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Virunga Volcanoes is made up of three parks; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The parks contain six volcanic mountains Karisimbi (4507 m), Mikeno (4437 m), Bisoke (3711 m), Mgahinga (3474 m), Muhabura (4127 m), and Sabinyo (3634 m) and covers an area of 447 km2. The park lies in the Albertine rift region, which is characterized by a high degree of avian and mammalian endemism due to its proximity to a Pleistocene refugium, created during the last ice age. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro District. It covers an area of 33.7 km2. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is contiguous with Virunga National Park (240 km2 ) in the DRC, and Volcanoes National Park (160 km2 ) in Rwanda. Virunga National Park is a World Heritage Site and the oldest national park in Africa, the Park was created in 1925. Virunga National Park borders an extensive network of protected areas in neighboring Uganda and Rwanda and together these contiguous protected areas form the Greater Virunga Landscape.

Things to do and see in the Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park is a habitat for 218 mammal species, 706 bird species, 78 amphibian species, and 109 reptile species, and 22 primate species. Virunga is the only park in the whole world that shelters mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas, and eastern chimpanzees.

Virunga National Park is one of the oldest and famous National Park in Africa, arguably the best Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there several activities one can do in just one Park namely gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking, hiking, birding, cultural experiences, and forest nature walk.

Gorilla tracking experience

Virunga National Park offers a mountain gorilla tracking encounter comparable in quality and most other respects to that of neighboring Rwanda. There are seven habituated gorilla families active for tourism. Gorilla tracking permits for Virunga National Park cost US$ 400 for foreign non-residents and US$ 150 for Congolese citizens. It is also famous for being home to about 200 critically endangered mountain gorillas

There are eight habituated gorilla families active for trekking in the Virunga National Park namely the Bageni gorilla family consisting of 26 individuals, Mapuwe gorilla family consisting 22 individuals, Kabirizi gorilla family consisting 19 individuals, Humba gorilla family 9 individuals, Lulengo gorilla family 9 individuals, Nyakamwe gorilla family 11 individuals, Rugendo gorilla family 9 individuals and Munyaga gorilla family 9 individuals.

Chimpanzee tracking experience

Chimpanzees are found in savannah woodlands, grasslands – forest mosaics, and tropical moist forests, from sea level to about 3,000 m in elevation. Chimpanzees are sheltered northwest of Rumangabo sector- Tongo, Tongo is a 10km2 block of a medium-altitude forest isolated from other similar habitats by the lava flow, traversed by an 80km network of walking trails. Tongo is home to a troop of 36 chimpanzees first habituated by the Frankfurt zoological society. Chimpanzee tracking in Virunga National Park, Rumangabo headquarters cost US$ 100 per person for foreign non-residents.

Birding

Virunga National Park is a birders’ haven; the Park is a refuge to more than 706 bird species out of which 24 are endemic species to Virunga National Park. Bird species in the Virunga National Park include red-throated alethe, handsome francolin, Kivu ground thrush, dusky crimson-wing, Arche’s ground robin, collared Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler, mountain masked Apalis, Grauer's rush warbler, Ruwenzori nightjar, Shelley's crimson wing, blue-headed sunbird, strange weaver, strip-breasted tit, collared Apalis, Ruwenzori batis, white-backed duck, African black duck, Egyptian goose, little grebe, hamerkop, yellow-billed duck, southern pochard, northern pintail, mountain buzzard, grey kestrel, quail, grey crowned crane, common snipe, curlew, marsh-sandpiper among others.

Nyiragongo Mountain Hike

The Virunga Volcano of Nyiragongo is surrounded to both the North and West by adjacent Nyamuragira Volcano, and other several volcanoes to the East namely, Mikeno, Karisimbi, and Lake Kivu. Mount Nyiragongo shelters, one of the largest active Lava Lake in the whole world. Mount Nyiragongo seats on an elevation of about 3470m, with a wide caldera at its summit about 1.5 km wide.

Nyiragongo is located in the Albertine Rift, on the western branch of the East African Rift Valley system, the Mountain is Africa’s most active volcano, and the fact is that it has erupted 34 times since 1884 and world’s largest lava Lake, about 20 km, North of Goma and approximately 180 km from Kigali International Airport.

Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience – Rushaga Sector Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Mountain Gorillas are an endangered species found in only two isolated forests of Central-Eastern Africa, spanning parts of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Approximately 50% of the remaining mountain gorilla populations inhabit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda and since 1993, a robust tourism industry has developed around tourists viewing Mountain Gorilla groups.

Habituating mountain gorillas has been encouraged for conservation, tourism, and research purposes, the decision to habituate a Gorilla group weigh cost and benefits.

African great apes have long elicited a deep fascination among their human relatives. Because of their close physical and behavioral resemblance to our species, local traditional beliefs portray great apes as distant relatives, often prohibiting their killing and consumption. Researchers from all over the world have been drawn to Africa by the opportunity to study great apes, providing insight into how our species evolved under similar environmental conditions.

What is Mountain Gorilla Habituation?

Gorilla habituation is the gradual and mild introduction of a family of wild gorillas to the presence of humans. Wild gorillas are habituated so researchers can learn about the species, treat them for illness and injuries, guard them against hunters, and enhance their conservation efforts with sustainable tourism.

How to purchase a Mountain Gorilla Habituation Permit

Travelers who want to habituate Wild Mountain Gorillas must book a gorilla habituation permit in advance; Adyeri Creations Limited is a trusted tour operator in Africa, kindly send us your travel dates and the date you would like to habituate wild mountain gorillas, so we can book for you a gorilla habituation permit in advance since they sell out so fast.

What is the difference between Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla Tracking?

Gorilla Habituation is much more enjoyable than the Gorilla Tracking encounter, Gorilla habituation takes all day with the gentle giants while the normal gorilla tracking experience only takes only one hour upon seeing a gorilla family. Gorilla habituation experience cost USD 1500 per person for foreign non residents, USD 1000 per person for foreign residents, and USD 200 per person for East African citizens while gorilla tracking experience cost USD 700 per person for foreign non residents, USD 400 per person for foreign residents and USD 40 per person for East African citizens. Only 4 visitors are allowed to habituate mountain gorillas per day and 8 visitors are allowed to track the Ape on a normal gorilla tracking excursion daily.

There are 21 habituated gorilla families active for tracking daily, these include Mubare, Rushegura, Katwe, Muyambi, Habinyanja in Buhoma Gorilla Sector, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguliro in Ruhija Gorilla Sector, Bweza, Nshogi, Mishaya, Kahungye in Rushaga Gorilla Sector, Christmas, Bushaho, Bikingi, and Nkuringo in Nkuringo Gorilla Sector, Nyakagezi in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and only two gorilla families on research and habituation in the Rushaga Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Best months of the Year to habituate Wild Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat

The best time to habituate mountain gorillas in Uganda in June, July, August, and September, and December, January, February, and March when forest trails are dry. From June to September gorilla habituation permits should be booked in advance – this period is called the pick/high season. Mountain Gorillas habituation experience can be done in the Rushaga Sector - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda, the wet season starts in April to May, and October to November, it’s during this period the roads become slippery, tracking trail become so thick and bushy hence poor visibility and photography of the wild mountain gorillas.

Mountain Gorilla Habitat altitudes

Due to the extensive habitat conversion surrounding the national parks, mountain gorillas are confined to high altitudes 1,100-2,400 m in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

How do Wild Mountain Gorillas survive in the Forest?

Their diet is predominantly herbaceous, although significant differences exist between the Virunga and the Bwindi populations. The Bwindi population also incorporates considerable amounts of fruit in its diet according to seasonal availability. Mountain gorilla groups generally comprise 10-18 individuals.

What to pack on your Gorilla Trek

This the most asked question for travelers intending to habituate wild mountain gorillas, Gorilla habituation experience is a unique adventure – for one to habituate gentle giants, travelers are required to possess a valid passport, covid 19 certificates, yellow fever card, valid gorilla habituation permit, hiking boots, long-sleeved shirt, waterproof trouser, sweater, gloves, headgear or a hat, sunglasses, good camera, snacks, packed lunch, drinking water, a walking stick and binoculars, when these items are in hand with potential travelers, mark it as a successful gorilla trek and a memorable once in a lifetime experience.

Mountain Gorilla Rules and Regulations

Before habituating wild mountain gorillas, all travelers attend a simple briefing about the rules and regulations while with the mountain gorillas. These rules are put to ensure the safety of gorillas and trekkers in the jungle. These rules and regulations were put by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and travelers from the possibility of disease transmission from human to gorilla hence gorilla conservation and protection of the gentle giants.

Rules and regulations

Maintenance of a distance of 7 meters between the tourist and the gorillas.

A maximum of four tourists can visit a group of wild mountain gorillas in a day.

When you approach the gorillas, the guide will inform you when to get your cameras ready - No flash photography is allowed in the presence of mountain gorillas.

Eating, drinking, and smoking while you are near wild Mountain Gorillas are not permitted.

Tourists with cough or flu will not be allowed to habituate wild mountain gorillas because we share almost the same DNA.

Littering in the park is not permitted. Everything you bring into the park should be carried out with you or your potter.

After a successful gorilla trek, you are advised to keep your voice low until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas.

Feeding wild mountain gorillas is not allowed.

Luxury Lodges in the Rushaga Sector - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is best known for its Mountain Gorilla populations and gorilla tracking although, the Rushaga Gorilla Sector offers both Gorilla Tracking and Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda.

Rushaga has a range of Luxury accommodation to suit your safari expectations; Rushaga Gorilla sector has the smartest accommodation options generally situated in the massive forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Luxury Lodges – Rushaga Gorilla Sector

Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge

Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge offers the perfect base for an unforgettable gorilla safari experience. Take fully guided trek into the dense rainforest and meet its inhabitants, the shy and peaceful mountain gorillas. Enjoy the privilege of seeing and photographing the gentle giants as they engage in their massive habituated troop.

Rushaga Gorilla Safari lodge gives its guests luxurious lodging in 18 spacious cottages, each presenting the best setting to relax after a thrilling day of trekking Mountain Gorillas.

Chameleon Hill Lodge

Chameleon hill lodge is an exclusive and elegant luxurious lodge where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Virunga massif and Lake Mutanda. Each chalet vaunts its identity and color scheme along with quality, handsome furnishings that boast a unique Luxury- Afro style. Chameleon Hill Lodge offers an extraordinary blend of comfort and relaxation, where attention to detail and personalized service are paramount, as well as being the perfect place to visit the mountain gorillas.

The Lodge provides 10 chalets with different colors and design hence naming the Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge. Each chalet has a marvelous view over the Virunga Massif and Lake Mutanda, each chalet has a spacious bedroom with a King sized bed and a walk in mosquito net, luxurious sofas for relaxation after a successful gorilla trek, private safe, fire place, fire extinguisher and en-suite luxurious bathroom with both warm and cold water.

Four Gorillas Lodge Four Gorillas Lodge is a luxurious lodge located in the Rushaga Sector in the southern sector of the park, many gorilla families call Rushaga Gorilla Sector home and the only place where you can trek or spend 4 hours with mountain gorillas (Gorilla Habituation Experience).

The Lodge is fitted with eight spacious en-suite rooms each installed with ambient lighting, constant hot and cold showers, flashing toilets, 24 hour room butler, the main building is blended up with modern designs, beautiful timber finishing that provides a cozy homely atmosphere. For more information about luxury Gorilla Safaris please contact Adyeri Creations Limited so we can tailor unforgettable Gorilla Experience in Uganda.

Fly-in Luxury Gorilla Safari – Rushaga Sector Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Uganda is one of the three countries where you can track mountain gorillas in southwestern Uganda’s dense forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Come face to face with humanity giant cousins, the mountain gorillas! Most tourists who visit the Rushaga area - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park come to see the endangered Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat; there are approximately 1007 mountain gorillas in the wild, about half of the remaining populations of Mountain gorilla live in Uganda in two national parks namely Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park totaling up to 467 habituated Mountain Gorillas in Uganda.

Fly-in Gorilla Safari in the Rushaga Sector

Rushaga sector is located in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Park is known for the largest number of habituated mountain gorillas groups. At Rushaga there are seven habituated mountain gorilla groups namely Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye, Bikingi, Muchunguzi, Nshongi, and Bweza. Rushaga is the most focused gorilla tracking site for tourists who either want to trek mountain gorilla for one hour or encounter gorilla habituation for four hours and the only sector where one can encounter gorilla habituation experience in the whole world, gorilla habituation permits cost USD 1,500 per person. This gorilla sector has the most gorilla population, there several gorilla families in the Impenetrable forest that are under habituation, big thanks to conservatives and well-trained guides who train these mighty cousins to get used to human presence.

When you fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip you have an opportunity to see the rolling Volcanoes Mountains namely Mount Muhavura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo. On arrival at Kisoro Airstrip, you meet our experienced driver-guide who will transfer you to Rushaga Gorilla sector, a drive which usually takes 2 hours to your lodge, check-in at your lodge, and relax. On the drive to the Rushaga area, you will be thrilled with a breathtaking encounter of the mountains, hilly terrain that will amaze you.

When is the best time to see Mountain Gorillas?

The best time to visit mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat is June to September and December to February, forest trails in these months are drier making Gorilla tracking encounter enjoyable and easier compared to visiting in the wet months of March to May and September to November when the weather is characterized by heavy daily rainfall, making the forest trails bushy and slippery. In Uganda, it is hard to predict when it is going to rain or not simply because the country is crossed by the Equator, thus experiencing an equatorial climate and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the Western Rift Valley with good terrain for travelers who would love mountaineering the Majestic Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. In conclusion, Gorilla Safaris in Uganda can be visited throughout the year.

What to pack on your Gorilla Trek

This the most asked question for travelers intending to track mountain gorillas, Gorilla tracking is a unique adventure in the whole world – for one to trek gentle giants, travelers are required to possess a valid passport, valid gorilla permit, hiking boots, long-sleeved shirt, waterproof trouser, sweater, gloves, headgear or a hat, sunglasses, good camera, snacks, packed lunch, drinking water, a walking stick, and binoculars, when these items are in hand with potential travelers, mark it as a successful gorilla trek and a memorable once in a lifetime experience you will leave to tell!

How many hours will you spend with Mountain Gorillas?

In Uganda, gorilla tracking starts at 8:00 am, usually before tracking mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, on this expedition you will gather with a group of other travelers who are going to track mountain gorillas at the briefing point where you be briefed about what you will see, expect and what you should not do while in the park environs. When you track mountain gorilla in Uganda you are allowed to spend 1 hour with the Gentle Giants. In Uganda, we have two activities for travelers who love primates one being Gorilla Tracking, and the other Gorilla Habituation - this expedition allows visitors to be with the gentle giants for up to 4 hours.

Addition expeditions on your Safari

Uganda is a birders haven, there are many bird species to encounter on your safari to see mountain gorillas namely Black Eared ground thrush, Blue-headed Sunbird, Mountain masked Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Handsome Francolin, Regal Sunbird, African broadbill, secretary bird, Woodland warbler, Kivu Ground thrush, strip breasted tit among others, culture and breathtaking scenery which you will leave to tell.

When you book with Adyeri Creations Limited on your Fly-in Gorilla Safari, we can assist you to get a gorilla family that is not so far in the jungle depending on your physical fitness, you are advised to inquire about the gorilla family of your interest after reserving a gorilla permit in the Rushaga sector and depending on your physical fitness since the families are located in different topography. For more info about Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation Safaris in Uganda, kindly contact us so we can tailor your remarkable dream come true with your number one tour operator in Africa!

Discounted Primates Safaris this Festive Season in Uganda

The Coronavirus Pandemic may have turned our lives upside down but it hasn’t managed to kill the inner wanderlust to those who truly desire to track primates and encounter our closest cousins in their natural habitat. And with Adyeri Creations we are delighted to introduce you discounted primates safaris this festive season, make memories this coming festive season with the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkey, olive baboon, red tailed monkey, black and white colobus, L’hoest’s monkey, blue monkey, patas monkey, vervet monkey in their natural domain, Uganda is a primate capital of the world, there are many places where visitors can track primates in their natural habitats namely Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Semuliki National Park and Bugoma Forest Reserve. Tracking primates in their natural habitat is arguably the biggest draw!

Best Places to see Primates in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is best known for its Mountain Gorilla populations and gorilla tracking although, it also offers some of the finest montane forest birding in Africa and is a key destination for any birders doing a Safari to Uganda. With over 347 species of forest birds recorded in the Park, at least 70 out of 78 montane forest bird species occurring in the Albertine Rift region are found in the forest, and 22 of the 36 endemics.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in south-western Uganda, at the junction of the plain and mountain forests; the Park covers 32,000 ha and is also known for its exceptional biodiversity, with more than 160 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns.

Due to its various habitats ranging from 1,160 to 2,706 m in altitude, location at the intersection of the Albertine, Congo Basin and Eastern Africa ecological zones, Bwindi has the highest miscellany of tree species (over 200 species including 10 endemics) and ferns in East Africa, and maybe the most important forest in Africa for montane forest butterflies with 202 species (84% of the country’s total), including eight Albertine endemics.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

At the extreme south western tip of Uganda on the borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo - Uganda’s smallest national park covering 33.7 square kilometers, home to one habituated gorilla family and troops of golden monkeys. The Park was established in 1991 is also one of Uganda’s newest national parks. It is an integral part of the Virunga Conservation Area and is contiguous with Parc National Des Volcanos in Rwanda and Parc National Des Virunga in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Three extinct volcanoes lie within the park: Mount Muhabura at 4,127 meters; Mount Gahinga at 3,475 meters; and Mount Sanbinyo at 3,645 whose peak lies along Uganda’s border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga is afro montane tropical rainforest, and the vegetation is typical of this terrain, with a montane forest belt, a bamboo zone, and an alpine zone.

Mountain Gorilla Sectors in Uganda

There are 4 Gorilla Sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park namely Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Bwindi alone has a total of 14 habituated gorilla families active for gorilla tracking every day and 1 habituated gorilla family at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. 15 habituated mountain gorilla families are open to tourism in 5 different sectors of Uganda namely Nyakagezi, Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and Nkuringo in southwestern Uganda. There are 120 gorilla permits available every day, 8 of these are for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and 112 permits are for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is arguably the best place in the whole world where tourists can track Chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Uganda’s top chimpanzee trekking destination also protects the countries densest and the most varied monkey population and an array of forest birds.

The Park is dominated by rainforest but this is intercepted with tracts of grassland and swamps. Spanning altitudes of 1100-1590m, Kibale boasts a floral composition transitional to typical eastern Afro-montane and western lowland forest with more than 200 tree species recorded in total and approximately 1200 habituated Chimpanzee live in Kibale National Park. Areas of mature forest are still liberally endowed with large buttressed mahoganies, tall fruit figs and other hardwood trees whose canopy is up to 60m above the ground.

Discounted Primates Permits in Uganda

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has reduced Gorilla tracking permits in Uganda this festive season effective 1st December 2020 to 31st March 2021 from USD 700 to USD 400 for foreign non residents, USD 600 to USD 300 for foreign residents and East African Citizen gorilla permit from UGX 250,000 to UGX 150,000.

Chimpanzee tracking permits this festive season have been reduced as well; foreign non residents’ chimpanzee tracking permits reduced from USD 200 to USD 150, foreign residents’ chimpanzee tracking permits from USD 150 to USD 100 and East African Citizens chimpanzee tracking permits from UGX 150,000 to UGX 100,000. For more info about primates safaris in Uganda kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited so we can tailor your remarkable encounter with our mighty cousins in the Pearl of Africa.

Buhoma Gorilla Sector- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Buhoma gorilla sector is located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on the northern boundary of the park-buhoma is the first habituated gorilla sector to be tracked by tourists back in 1993. The Buhoma Gorilla group consists of the four Gorilla groups namely Mubare, Katwe, Habinyanja, and Rushegyra.

Buhoma Gorilla Sector Family Groups

Mubare Gorilla Group

This is one of the oldest groups, and consequently one of the friendliest. Sadly they lost their long-reigning silverback Ruhondeza to old age in 2012, but black back Kanyonyi appears to be taking over leadership of the group as he graduates into a fully-fledged silverback. Mubare group are usually found approximately 15-45 minutes drive from the briefing point. The trek to reach them can be one of the more arduous, taking around 3 to 4 hours to locate the gorillas.

Habinyanja Gorilla group

Habinyanja comes from Nyanja which is the local word meaning large water body and refers to a swamp in the forest where the group was first sighted. There is a drive of approximately 1 hour from the briefing point to the start of the hike. Locating these gorillas often takes about 2 to 3 hours. This group is known for its good population of juveniles and infants, hence a good rewarding encounter in the wild. The group consists of 18 members, 1 silverback called Makara.

Rushegyra Gorilla Group

Rushegyra gorilla group was created in 2002 after a silverback broke away from the Habinyanja group, the group comprises of 20 members headed by one silverback. The group is known for its playful infants. Sometimes the group is seen strolling around the gardens of the lodges in the area; young infant gorillas are seen following visitors at the lodge.

Katwe Gorilla Group

Katwe gorilla group is a newly habituated gorilla located in the Buhoma gorilla sector, the group consists of 8 individuals 1 silverback, 4 female adults, and 3 babies. The introduction of Katwe habituated gorilla group has increased the number of gorilla permits from the usual 24 permits to 32 permits hence developing gorilla tourism experience in Uganda.

Guided Nature Walking Trails

Several guided nature walking trails ranging from 30 minutes to 8 hours in duration, lead from Buhoma, offering the opportunity to enjoy the tranquility and broader biodiversity of the forest, and a chance to see a variety of primates and birds.

Muyanga River Trail

It starts at the end of the Buhoma road, at the edge of the forest, and follows the Bizenga Creek until it joins the Munyaga River. This trail provides a short walk to view many primates and bird species along the forest edge.

Muzabajiro Loop Trail

After entering the forest the trail crosses the Muzabijiro creek and begins ascending through high canopy forest to the open slope of Rukubira Hill, the site of a 1992 wildfire. The area is now lush with vines and silvery trunks of dead trees that offset breathtaking views of Bwindi,  the Western Rift Valley, and the Virunga volcanoes. The trail then descends Rukubira and returns to the Park Office along the same route. Along the way, one can encounter ancient ferns, several primates like L'Hoest's monkey, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey among others.

Rushura Hill Trail

Take you to Rushura Hill (6,280 ft), the highest point around Buhoma. The path goes up through the forest to a view of the Congo border. You will enjoy the sweeping views of the western Rift Valley south of Virungas, and even Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. The descent takes place through cultivated fields and regenerating forests.

Bird Viewing

Bird viewing in Buhoma is strongly urged to stick to the Munyaga River Trail, which starts on the edge of the park behind the Gorilla tracking trailhead and follows the same old road through the forest south of Buhoma south of the waterfall trail. The open road provides better birding opportunities than the narrow forest and on a good morning, the visitor could hope to see around 50 species. Among the great remarkable birds commonly seen along this road include the black-billed turaco, barred long-tailed cuckoos, bar-tailed trogon, black bee-eater, white-billed robin-chat, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, McKinnon’s grey shrike, and yellow-whiskered green bill.

Batwa Cultural Experience

This all-day encounter that takes place in a patch of private forest contiguous with the national park provides a fascinating insight into the traditional forest life and lore of the hunter-gatherer culture of the Batwa communities (Pygmies) in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Getting there and away

Buhoma gorilla sector can be accessed by road from Kampala following a tarmac road to Kabale for about 415 km spending about 6-7 hours and then connect on a murram road through Kanunugu District to Buhoma for about 120 km for approximately 3 hours’ drive.

By air transport you can choose to fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip, from Kihihi Airstrip you will meet our driver guide who will take you to Buhoma-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for about 3 hours’ drive.

Best time to visit Buhoma Sector

Buhoma Sector can be visited anytime throughout the year especially during the drier months of January, February, June, July, August, and December during the dry season, in this period the trails are passable compared to the wet season when the trails are slippery, wet, and muddy.

Where to stay

Buhoma Gorilla Sector under its accolades and favorite gorilla destination many visitors who come to Bwindi Impenetrable to many visitors who come to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. It means there is an array of lodges and tented camps waiting for visitors to book and have a remarkable encounter with Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. For more information about Gorilla tour in Uganda, kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited so we can tailor your Safari in Africa.

Primates Trekking in Uganda

Uganda is the primate capital of the world well known for its great primates - it is postulated that these primates have originated from Africa, and that is why they are similar to the human race in Africa. They have characteristics that look more like human beings, such as extended arms and legs, large eyes, fingers, and toes. Among these primates are the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, olive baboons, golden monkey, red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus, L’hoest’s monkey, blue monkey, patas monkey, vervet monkey among others.

Currently, Uganda has become a popular safari destination, due to its cool climate and the dense rainforest that has attracted a large number of species. Uganda is home to around 300 mammals and up to 20 primates.

The primates are at risk as sometimes the forests are destroyed and yet it’s the best place for their stay. This makes the primates live in fear as they have to keep moving until they get a stable habitat. Safari to Uganda will offer you a chance to discover the mountain gorillas in their natural setting as they play, feed, and rest, Monkeys of different kinds as well as the chimpanzees.

Every tourist who visits Uganda would love to see the mountain gorillas on their tour but they are located in specific places. They can only be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park southwestern Uganda. Many visitors come to Uganda to get a glimpse of the gorillas, the experience you have with the gentle giants is once in a lifetime experience. They're so adorable creatures with massive chests, muscular arms, broad hands, and feet and they're the largest of all primates.

Another species to fall in love with is the Chimpanzee; they are small in size and take up a larger portion of human DNA. They have the ability to understand, use sign languages, and they're so smart. Many of these are located in western Uganda and safari to Uganda. Places where you can trek Chimps - Kibale National Park, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria, Kyambura Gorge-Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semuliki National Park.

SOPs for Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda

· Briefing and debriefing shall be done in small groups of eight (08) tourists after they have been assigned gorilla families for tracking. · Tourists, staff, and porters who, during the briefing, are observed to be sick shall not be allowed to track. These include anyone with signs of flu and those who report having diarrhea, stomach upsets, and malaria among others. · All the visitors, staff, and trackers must wear masks. · A maximum of eight (8) tourists shall be allowed to track a gorilla group per day. · A maximum of six (6) tourists shall be allowed to track a chimpanzee group at a time. · The tourists must keep a distance of not less than 10 meters away from the gorillas and chimpanzees during this period. · The assigned Uganda Wildlife Authority guides shall ensure there is a social distancing of 2 meters among the tourists while tracking, where practical. · Before the gorilla and chimpanzee viewing commences, all people in the group shall sanitize their hands again. · The tourists shall carry light equipment to minimize the need for porters while they undertake the tracking. · Due to the reported side effects of wearing masks for long periods and in high altitudes, visitors shall take frequent breaks during the tracking give themselves time to breathe fresh air. · During these breaks, social distancing shall be strictly observed.

Things to do and see in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular tourist destination in Uganda. The park's rich habitats, including vast savannahs, lush tropical forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands, make it the perfect habitat for classic game drive, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 bird species.

Top Attractions @ Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game Drive

For wildlife enthusiasts, Queen Elizabeth National Park is christened as one of the best park and most protected areas for an African wildlife encounter, the Ishasha Sector offers abundant wildlife. The park is noted for its huge herds of buffalos, warthog, hippos, elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, reedbuck antelopes, and a great variety of small animals.

Chimpanzee Tracking

Also known as the valley of Apes, drained by River Kyambura, the magnificent Gorge is. The Gorge is one of the most scenic gorges on the tract of the East African Rift Valley. The gorge is among Uganda's most spectacular gorge and its abundant biodiversity, while on your amble through the gorge, you will be able to spot many primates namely Chimpanzee, olive baboons black and white colobus, red-tailed monkey. The way to the ravine is also a magnificent spot for picnics. The gorge is one of a kind giving you a great perspective to the guests down the forest offering great photography. You will absolutely love tracking Chimpanzees in the dramatic Kyambura Gorge biome.

Launch Trip

The Kazinga Channel is an expanse for many of the interesting animal species that inhabit the park, and taking a boat trip along it offers tourists the opportunity to cruise just meters away from hundreds of massive hippos and buffalos while elephants wander along the shoreline.

Lion tracking experience

This experience allows visitors to actively participate in tracking lions within Queen Elizabeth National Park, a few participants are allowed to track lions with the help of a well-trained ranger guide. When you meet the pride, you'll have a tremendous opportunity to see up-close a family of lions. Watch cubs play in the near vicinity of the resting adults. This experience is truly marvelous and a dream to many wildlife enthusiasts

Equator Experience

Most tourists who visit Queen Elizabeth National Park usually stopover at the equator for photography but when visit the Equator in Kasese (Queen Elizabeth National Park) tourists encounter the water experiments which are usually carried out at the Equator line, the northern hemisphere, and the southern hemisphere. At the Equator, you will witness no movement of any floating object, in the northern hemisphere, you will see a floating object put in water rotating clockwise, and in the southern hemisphere, you will see a floating object moving in an anti-clockwise direction. The most remarkable experience at the Equator takes place twice a year on 21 March and 23 September during the Equinox.

Birding

Queen Elizabeth National Park supports a remarkable 600 species of birds namely egret, flamingo, kingfisher, falcons, eagles, shoebill stork among others. Birding at the park is an incredible excursion as it has a variety of habitats that range from the lakeshore, swamp, grassland to lowland forest. Kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited for information about African Wildlife Safari in the Pearl of Africa.

Top Attractions in Rwanda

Rwanda is located in the heart of Africa; Rwanda is one of the most popular tourist destinations in East Africa, lively towns, scenic wilderness, and remarkably hospitable people. A unique and largely undiscovered venue, Rwanda also offers incredible biodiversity, beautiful mountains, some of the oldest and most valuable rainforests on the planet, 5 volcanoes, 23 lakes, several waterfalls, and 3 stunning national parks namely Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and Akagera National Park.

Volcanoes National Park

Mountain gorilla tracking is a unique wildlife experience in the Virunga; these vast animals weigh three times the weight as well as the average man. Gorillas are visited on a daily basis than any other wild animal, and they are fascinating animals to the extent that some try to interact with their visitors, often approaching them and sometimes touch visitors as they pass by.

Visitors can spend a maximum of 1 hour with a designated Gorilla family, the increase in the price of Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda was meant to reduce the number of people who trek mountain gorilla in Rwanda, hence promoting gorilla tourism in Rwanda indirectly.

The advantage of tracking Giant Apes in Rwanda – the vegetation of Volcanoes National Park is comprised of Bamboo trees which make visibility and photography mountain gorilla better.

Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walkway

Nyungwe National Park hosts a wide diversity of amazing animal species, making it one of the prime conservation areas in Africa. The largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in East Africa, Nyungwe extends for 1,015 kilometers squared over the mountainous southwest of Rwanda, forming a contiguous forest block with Burundi’s 370km2 Kibira National Park. The park is the most important catchment area in Rwanda supplying water to 70% of the country, and its central ridge divides Africa’s two largest drainage systems, the Nile and the Congo, a spring on the slopes of the 2,950m Mount Bigugu is now regarded to be the most remote source of the world’s longest river.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the only park in Rwanda where you can trek habituated Chimpanzees, approximately 500 chimpanzees are residents at the Park. Rwanda is also known as the land of a thousand hills, one of the most diverse destinations in Africa, offering untouched wilderness, incredibly friendly people.

The canopy walk is also the first treetop forest canopy walk in East Africa and the third in all Africa. Visitors to Nyungwe National Park can experience the rainforest from a new perspective: the Canopy Walkway. Hanging 60 meters above the forest floor between giant trees and towers, East Africa's only Canopy Walkway provides a stunning view of the park's amazing wildlife and nature. This walk is also an activity not to be missed in Rwanda.

Kigali Genocide Memorial

The burial site of over 250,000 people killed in 100 days in 1994 genocide, more than 800,000 people died in Rwanda. Visitors can this place and more information about this devastating massacre at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The memorial center is not just a mass grave and exhibition center but it is also an important contribution to the recent history of Rwanda and the entire world that no one can afford to forget.

Wildlife Experience

In Rwanda, Akagera National Park is the only park where you can encounter wild animals in their natural habitat. Today Akagera is emphatically worth visiting, for one thing, it ranks among the most scenic of Africa’s savannah park, with its forest-fringed lakes, tall mountains and constantly changing vegetation. Akagera also still retains a genuinely off the beaten track character, the only park in Africa where you can drive for hours without seeing another vehicle. As for the coveted Big five, buffalo are plentiful and easily seen, elephants are quite common, leopards are also common at Akagera National Park

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is the sixth largest lake in Africa and the sixteenth deepest lake in the whole world, an East African great lake located at the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for 90km, the 2700km2 Lake Kivu is one of a string that submerges much of the Albertine Rift floor as it runs southwards from Sudan to Zambia with a drainage basin of 4900km2. It is divided into one main basin, two small basins and two bays – Main Basin, Isungu Basin, Kalehe Basin, Bukavu bay, Kabuno bay.

Birding in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park and Akagera National Park are the most important birding sites, Nyungwe is arguably the best bird watching site in Rwanda, 310 bird species recorded of which the majority are forest specialists. This includes 27 Albertine Rift Endemic and 3 bird species not recorded elsewhere on the Eastern side of the Albertine Rift namely the red-collared babbler, Rockefeller’s sunbird, and owlet.

Depending on your level of expertise, you could see more than 200 bird species 2 to 3 days in the forest and these birds include Ruwenzori turaco, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, red collared mountain babbler, Ruwenzori nightjar, handsome francolin, red-faced woodland warbler, collared Apalis, purple breasted sunbird, strange weaver, Kivu ground thrush, dwarf honeyguide, Rockefeller’s sunbird, blue-headed sunbird, paradise flycatcher, great blue turaco, red-breasted sparrow hawk, white-headed wood-hoopoe, mountain masked Apalis, regal sunbird, Ruwenzori batis, stripe breasted tit, village indigo bird, cinnamon-breasted bee-eater, black and white manikins, black-crowned waxbills, African harrier hawk, martial eagle, European honey buzzard among others.

Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s second most important birding site after Nyungwe National Park, both parks complement to each other to such an extent that very few species recorded in Rwanda aren’t found in one or the other. Akagera National Park is rich in savannah and water birds of East Africa namely black-headed gonolek, red-faced barbet, white headed-chat, Ross’s turaco, conical grey hornbill, papyrus genolek, and the Majestic Shoebill stork. For more information about Safaris in Rwanda kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited so we can tailor your remarkable wildlife and primates experience in Rwanda.

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