Gorilla families in Ruhija sector.
Gorilla families in Ruhija Sector: One of the four gorilla trekking sectors, Ruhija sector is situated in the eastern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because it is home to the greatest number of mountain gorillas, it is one of the best places in Africa to go gorilla trekking. There are four gorilla trekking locations in the Ruhija sector, and they are open for trekking every day.
The Oruzogo family of gorillas
One of the gorilla families that can be trekked in the Ruhija district is Oruzogo. With the help of Tibirikwata Silverback, who ensured the family’s survival, the gorilla family—whose name comes from a local plant called Oruzogoto—opened to the public in 2011.
With 19 members, Oruzogo was the largest and most powerful gorilla family in the Ruhija sector. However, in 2021, a silverback named Kasimali left the group, leaving it with just 10 members: 1 silverback, 4 blackbacks, 2 female adults, 1 sub-adult female, 2 sub-adults, 1 juvenile, and 1 infant. The fun energy of the youngsters makes the Oruzogo gorilla family an intriguing gorilla group in Ruhija, keeping tourists interested while hiking.
Families of gorillas in the Ruhija sector
The Bitukura family of gorillas
Another gorilla family in the Ruhija sector that is accessible for daily trekking is Bitukura. The river where the gorillas were first seen inspired the name of the gorilla family. About 14 members of the Bitukura gorilla family, which was made accessible to tourists in 2008, include the dominant Karamuzi silverback, Rukumu and Rukara silverbacks, Betina and Ruhara adult females, Kamuga adult females, Obia and Mugisha blackbacks, Twakire and Kabandize juveniles, Kadogo and Mubwindi infants, and a newborn baby.
The gorilla family Kyaguliro A and B
Another gorilla family in the Ruhija sector is the Kyaguliro family. Although it was utilized for study, the gorilla family was among the first to become habituated in 1995 at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. At the time of habituation, Zeus Silverback was the dominant figure in Kyaguriro. Rukina Silverback eventually assumed leadership of the group after Zeus was exiled. Another silverback, Mukiza, challenged Rukina as well, stealing some of the group’s members to start his own family. Later, in 2016, the Kyaguriro gorilla family was divided into two groups: Kyaguriro A, which is dominated by Rukara silverbacks because Rukina was struck by lightning in 2012, and Kyaguriro B, which is controlled by Mukiza silverbacks. Both gorilla families are typically found in the same area. While Kyaguriro A is open for hiking with 15 members, Kyaguriro B was designated for gorilla study.
The gorilla trekking experience, which begins very early in the morning with a briefing about the norms and regulations to observe whilst hiking, offers the opportunity to see gorilla families in the Ruhija area. Following the briefing, you will be split up into groups of eight, each of which will be paired with a park guide who is familiar with the various paths and a habituated gorilla family to hike.
Because mountain gorillas prefer to roam around in search of food, trekking with them in the Ruhija sector can take anything from 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. In addition to seeing various bird species, other primate species, mammals, and tree species while trekking, you will be able to spend an hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, where you can observe their daily activities, such as feeding, nursing, and grooming their young, and learn more about their habits and behaviors.
The price of permits for gorilla trekking in the Ruhija area
In the Ruhija area, gorilla trekking licenses cost 700 USD per person for non-resident foreigners, 600 USD per person for residents, and 250,000 USD per person for citizens of East Africa.
How to reserve permits for gorilla trekking in the Ruhija area
In the Ruhija sector, gorilla trekking permits can be reserved directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which requires you to get in touch with the park’s Kampala headquarters by phone or email.
You can also reserve gorilla trekking permits in the Ruhija region by contacting a reputable tour operator, such as Experiya Tour Company, and providing the days, months, and year you would want to see the mountain gorillas. After getting in touch with us, we will verify whether permits are available for your dates. If they are, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will buy permits on your behalf as soon as we receive the funds, and we will confirm with a scanned copy of the receipt.
How to travel for gorilla trekking to the Ruhija sector
Located in the eastern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Ruhija Sector is accessible by road transportation. It takes approximately eight to nine hours to drive there from Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale.
Ruhija sector is also accessible from Kigali, Rwanda, where travelers take a plane to Kigali International Airport and then drive three to four hours to reach Ruhija sector via Katuna border in Kabale district.
