Ultimate Guide on Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma Sector Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector Bwindi is undoubtedly a leading safari activity you should consider a must-do. Buhoma gorilla tracking region lies in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kanungu district in Southwestern Uganda.

It is one most visited area for gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi and others include Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga.

Trekking gorillas in Buhoma sector Bwindi entirely means moving through the dense rain-forest to look for a habituated gorilla group. Once you have come across your assigned family of mountain gorillas, you will be allowed to have 1 hour with these apes in their natural habitat.

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma region are conducted on the 4 habituated gorilla groups Mubare group, Bwindi’s and Uganda’s oldest group to be habituated. Others include the newly launched Katwe gorilla family, plus existing Habinyanja and Rushegura gorilla groups.

What to expect on gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector Bwindi?

Mountain Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector Bwindi begins with an early morning briefing at park offices. This begins at 7:00pm where visitors get to understand the rules and regulations to observed while on a trek to see mountain gorillas.

Once you are done with briefing, the official from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park allocates to you any of the sector’s 4 habituated gorilla groups to track as a group of 8 visitors.

The actual search for a family of gorillas begins at 8:00am with an armed park guide on lead and your trek can take 2-6 hours. The 2-6 hours’ trek is inclusive of 1 hour which you will have face to face with a family of mountain gorillas in the wild, take pictures and have in-depth learning about their daily behaviors.

Gorilla tracking permits in Buhoma sector Bwindi

Buhoma sector Bwindi alone consists of about 32 gorilla permits that can be booked for you to track gorillas. Like in other regions, valid gorilla permits in Buhoma region cost US Dollars 700 per person for non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and shs. 250000 when you travel as East African citizen. Booking any of these permits is possible via our reservation team or Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

When to travel to Trek Gorillas

The Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector Bwindi can be carried out at any time of the year. But the dry season is considerably the best time to plan for a successful gorilla safari in Buhoma region and there are 2 phases to mark; the long that begins from June to September or December to February.

It is during these 2 dry phases that Buhoma area can be passable due to no/little rainfall unlike heavy rains recorded during the wet/rainy season.

Whether your gorilla tour in Buhoma is planned during dry or wet season, it is essential to have waterproof hiking boots, gardening gloves, camera with no flashlight, daypack, long sleeved shirt.

Other items include sweater, rain-jacket, hat, snacks, bottled water, insect repellent, medical kit/first aid kit, passport, visa, gorilla permit.

Accommodation facilities within Buhoma sector Bwindi

Buhoma sector Bwindi is a well-established gorilla trekking region with comfortable lodging choices ranging from budget to luxury. They include Engagi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Bwindi Volcanoes Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp and other nearby ones.

Getting to Buhoma sector Bwindi for Uganda Gorilla Safari

By road transportation: If you choose to use road transport, your journey can begin from Entebbe/Kampala through Masaka-Mbarara city-Ntungamo-Butogota and you get to Buhoma in the Kanungu district.

Being a long journey, expect to spend at least 8-9 hours of driving. From Queen Elizabeth National Park, Buhoma is only 3-4 hours’ drive away via Ishasha sector.

By air transportation: Take flight services from Aero link Uganda starting from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip in Southwestern Uganda.