Flying safaris to Buhoma sector to encounter endangered mountain gorillas

Flying safaris to the Buhoma sector are one of the ways of reducing the time to travel to Bwindi which is 9-10 hours by road transport. Africa adventure vacations do organize flying safaris to Kihihi airstrip that is located within Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or even to Kisoro airstrip. Buhoma sector is part of the great Bwindi impenetrable forest national park which is famous for mountain gorilla trekking in southwestern Uganda. The sector can be visited at any time of the year for gorilla tourism and Air transport is the easiest way to access this region. There are scheduled flights at Kajjansi airstrip and Entebbe international airport to Kihihi airstrip in Bwindi or Kisoro airstrip and these are done by Fly Uganda as well as AeroLink Uganda. On arrival at the airport, the safari guide is always ready to pick you up and transport you to the lodge or the park.

Things to do and see in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi on flying safaris to Bwindi

Spending 1 hour with mountain gorillas at Buhoma sector

Buhoma sector was the first place to open up for gorilla tourism in 1991 with the Mubare mountain gorilla family. Gorilla trekking is the most done activity in this sector and it is done among 5 habituated mountain gorilla families namely the Rushegura gorilla family, Habinyanja gorilla family, Katwe gorilla family, Mubare gorilla family, and Muyambi gorilla family. Since there are 5 habituated mountain gorilla families in Buhoma it means that there are 40 gorilla permits in this region so you need to hurry and book yourself one since that’s what is required before the trekking activity.

Trekking mountain gorillas in Buhoma begins with rangers briefing the trekkers about the rules and regulations of the activity and afterward grouping the trekkers into 8. After all, this is done, the ranger guides lead the trekkers into the jungle to search for the mountain gorillas and during this activity, the trekkers have opportunities of seeing some of the park animals such as buffaloes, elephants, giant forest hogs, duikers, birds like Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Handsome Francolin Chestnut-throated Apalis, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, and different tree species. When the trekkers meet the mountain gorillas, they are given 1 hour to be around them as they learn about their habits, watch them do daily activities, and take photos. After gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector, the trekkers can move far from the mountain gorillas and have lunch in the jungle after the trek back and get their trekking certificates.

Batwa encounter in Buhoma sector

Visiting the Batwa pygmies shouldn’t miss on your list of activities you are to do while in the Buhoma sector. The cultural walk with the Batwa people at Buhoma sector takes you to different parts of the forests with the Batwa people demonstrating to you their traditional forest lore, how they used sticks to make fires, arrows, and bows to kill small animals, gather fruits and collect honey as well as how they used local herbs to cure disease. The Batwa goes further to entertain you through traditional dances and drama as well as storytelling where you get to listen to stories of long ago. You are free to support the Batwa people by buying some of their crafts and in this way you will help them to get money and improve on their lifestyle.

Encounter birds at Buhoma sector

Birding in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is done in all sectors of the park Buhoma inclusive. Bird lovers in the Buhoma sector will have excellent bird watching opportunities using different trails of the sector such as the River Ivi trail, and Munyaga river trail. Some of the birds likely to be spotted in Buhoma sector include Turner’s Eremomela, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Nightjar, Green-headed Sunbird, Evergreen Warbler, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin Chestnut-throated Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Buff-throated Apalis, African Pitta, Cabanis’s Greenbul, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Yellow-crested Helmet Shrike, Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Cardinal Woodpecker, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Common Bulbul, Compact Weaver, Montane Masked Apalis, Kivu Ground Thrush, Red-throated Alethe, Coppery Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Dark-backed Weaver, Neumann’s Warbler, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Dusky Crested Flycatcher, Stripe-breasted Tit, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Red-headed Malimbe, Fork-tailed Drongo, Great Blue Turaco, Grey Apalis, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Collared Apalis, Green Crombec, Grey-headed Sparrow, White-tailed Blue-flycatcher, Brown Woodland Warbler, White-browed Crombec, Green Hylia, Grey-throated Barbet, Strange Weaver, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Grey-backed/Green-backed Camaroptera, Grey-headed Negrofinch, Grauer’s Warbler, White-breasted Negrofinch, Honeyguide Greenbul, Klass’ Cuckoo, Collared Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, and Dusky Crimson-wing among others

Nature walks in Buhoma

The nature walks in the Buhoma sector are one of the activities you must do on your safari in Buhoma so as to explore the forest. the nature walks in the Buhoma sector are done in the morning or in the evening with the Munyanga river trail being one of the most used trails in the Buhoma sector. The trails provide a short walk to see some of the bird species in the park-like the Grey-throated Barbet, Strange Weaver, Honeyguide Greenbul, Collared Apalis, Green Crombec, primates like the monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees, mammals such as elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs and different tree species. Nature walks are done at a fee and are conducted by a trained ranger guide.

Where to spend a night on flying safaris to Buhoma sector of Bwindi

Buhoma sector in northern Uganda has several accommodation choices where travelers on a flying safari to this sector can have a comfortable stay and these range from luxury to mid-range to budget and also campsites. Based on your travel budget, the accommodation facilities available in Buhoma include Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Ride for a woman lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Trekkers Tavern, Engagi lodge, Jungle View Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi View Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Crested Crane Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Conservation Camp, Jungle View Lodge, Gorilla Resort, and Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge among others.

What is the best time to book flying safaris to Buhoma sector?

Tourists can fly to the Buhoma sector at any time of the year most especially for mountain gorilla trekking. However, the dry season has proven to be the best time to fly to this pack due to the nature of the weather. The dry season happens in June to September and December to February and is characterized by little or no rainfall, thin vegetation cover giving clear views of animals and photography, dry trekking trails, and passable roads to the park. You can also fly to Buhoma in the rainy season so as to enjoy huge discounts on the accommodation facilities but you need to know that during this time, there is plenty of rainfall that makes the trekking trails slippery and muddy with the roads leading to the park slippery.

What to do with Africa Adventure Vacations?

Africa adventure vacations is a tour company based in Uganda licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators. Booking with Africa adventure vacations provides you safety and confidence during your safari courtesy of well-trained safari driver guides who are well conversant with all routes and tourism destinations in Africa. You can book with us any of the activities you want to do in Africa such as mountain gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla habituation, birding, game drives, hiking, nature walks, and community tours among others. Booking flying safaris to Buhoma sector can be done at any time of the year.