Gorilla trekking in Bwindi's Ruhija Sector Uganda
It’s positioned to the East of Bwindi impenetrable National Park, The Uganda gorilla safari region of Ruhija features three habituated families that are adventured daily by any visitor with valid gorilla permit and meets the needed health and age standards.
The sector had two gorilla groups that were available for tracking and these included; Oruzogo and Bitukura. The third group was dedicated for research before it was also introduced for tracking putting the total of gorilla permits per day at twenty four.
This is because only eight travellers on a trek can be allowed to track each mountain gorilla group. Not like Buhoma, Ruhija came later in the gorilla trekking phenomenon but due to its good location, it’s gaining a great momentum as regards the very activity.
Situated between Buhoma region to the north of Bwindi Forest National Park and the Kabale town to the south, Ruhija is easily accessed from both the northern and southern routes. The Uganda safari embalmers connecting from Queen Elizabeth National Park cover only 218km to reach Ruhija which allows them ample time to do an en route game drive in the Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions.
From Kampala, the guests are able to drive smooth tarmac up to Kabale and then branch off a few kilometres past the town to cover a short rough murram to ndego gate.
Even though it has got less presence on the limelight, there is less competition for Ruhija permits and as a result, it’s not surprising to secure a gorilla permit in this sector at the last minute though they can as well be sold off completely most especially during the peak season.
This also makes it one of the sectors where the travellers on Mountain gorilla tracking tours in Uganda enjoy very less congested trek.
Apart from gorilla trekking, Ruhija region is an ideal birding destination in the whole of Bwindi and it’s the only area where the African Green Boadbill can be adventured making it a must visit place by the birders on Uganda birding safaris.
The region is 52km to Lkae Bunyonyi which is a great Lake of a thousand Islands thus offering a great recreation and relaxation environment with a canoe paddle and local Batwa cultural tour after a long day trek in the hilly forested land scapes of Bwindi.
The accommodation in Ruhija sector is not well developed but has some budget lodge including; Broadbill Forest Camp which is a great budget camp and Gorilla Mist Camp for the mid-market travellers.
The wealthy travellers can stay in the luxury lodges of Buhoma like Gorilla Forest Camp and Buhoma Lodge and get to transfer so early in the morning to catch up with Gorilla Trekking in Ruhijja starting by 8:00 am.