Gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi starting from Buhoma region
Are you looking for gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi starting from Buhoma region? Buhoma is the most visited gorilla destination in the northern side of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Bwindi is one of the destinations in the world harboring the endangered mountain gorillas with over 19 habituated mountain gorilla families and 2 that are undergoing habituation. The mountain gorilla families in Bwindi are spread in 4 different sectors of the park among which include the Buhoma sector that is found on the northern side of the park. Buhoma sector is the most visited sector in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and its because of its fame for being the first sector of the park where mountain gorilla habituation was successfully done in mubare4 gorilla family in the year 1993.
Booking a gorilla trekking safari in Buhoma region of Bwindi
Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector simply means searching for mountain gorillas and spending a maximum of 1 hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector is done by persons who have a valid gorilla trekking permit and all these starts with a briefing at the park headquarters. During the briefing, the trekkers are taught about the dos and don’ts of the gorilla trekking activity. After all this, the rangers lead groups not exceeding 8 into the jungle to search for these gentle apes and during the search, the trekkers have an opportunity of seeing some of the park animals such as buffaloes, elephants, duikers, forest hogs, different bird species, and trees. After hours of searching and locating mountain gorillas, the trekkers are given a maximum of 1 hour to be around mountain gorillas as they learn about their habits, watch them do daily activities, and take photos.
How many gorilla families are in the Buhoma region of Bwindi?
There are 5 habituated gorilla families in the Buhoma sector in the northern side of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park that is open for trekking at any time of the year. The gorilla families in the Buhoma region include the Rushegura gorilla family, Muyambi gorilla family, Habinyanja gorilla family, Katwe gorilla family, and the oldest of all Mubare gorilla families.
If you are planning to visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and you specifically want to trek any of the mountain gorilla families
How many gorilla trekking permits are in the Buhoma region of Bwindi?
There are only 5 habituated mountain gorilla families in the Buhoma region of Bwindi and since the maximum number of people allowed to trek a single gorilla family is 8, it implies that the sector has 40 gorilla trekking permits per day. The permits are issued out by the Uganda Wildlife Authority allowing tourists to be around mountain gorillas for a maximum of 1 hour. You are advised to buy your trekking permits for Buhoma in advance of 3-4 months if you are to trek mountain gorillas in the high season because the permits sell out quickly
How much is the gorilla permit for the Buhoma region of Bwindi?
Gorilla permits for the Buhoma sector in the northern side of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 foreign residents, and East African citizens shs250,000. The permit allows tourists to be around mountain gorillas for a maximum of 1-hour learning about their habits, watching them do their daily activities, and taking photographs. If you are intending to visit the Buhoma region in the dry season, you are advised to book your trekking permit with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted tour operator in advance of 3-4 months because the permits sell out quickly and are served on a first come first serve basis.
Where to stay in the Buhoma region of Bwindi?
Being the first sector where mountain gorilla habituation started, the sector is developed with several accommodation facilities that range from budget to mid-range to luxury options. Some of the accommodations in this region include Buhoma Lodge, Trekkers Tavern, Engagi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Jungle View Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi View Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Jungle View Lodge, Gorilla Conservation Camp, Gorilla resort, and Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge among others.
Best time to visit the Buhoma region of Bwindi for gorilla trekking safari.
Buhoma region in the northern side of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be visited all throughout the year but some months are better than the rest. these are the drier months and they normally happen in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. During the above months, there is little or rainfall, the roads leading to the park are passable, the vegetation in the park is thin for clear views of park animals and best photography and lastly the trekking trails in the park are less muddy and no slippery. Travelers intending to have a gorilla trekking safari in this region during the dry season are advised to book their permits in advance of 3-4 months in order to avoid inconveniences since the Uganda wildlife authority issues out the permits on a first come first serve basis.
The best time for budget travelers to visit the sector is the rainy season where they get to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. The rainy season occurs from October to November and March to May but comes with heavy rainfall which makes the trekking trails slippery and muddy and also the roads leading to the park impassable. During the rainy season, the vegetation in the park is thick which makes unclear views of animals and unclear photography.
Getting to the Buhoma region of Bwindi for gorilla trekking safari.
Travelers can get to the Buhoma sector in just 2 hours using air transport. This is possible by using chattered flights from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe international airport to Kihihi airstrip which is located inside the park. You can as well get to the Buhoma sector using road transport from Kigali via the Cyanika border or the Katuna border taking only 4-5 hours. The other way to get to Buhoma sector using road transport is by using Kampala/Entebbe-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro Road taking 9-10hrs.
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 gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi starting from Buhoma region can be done at any time of the year.