Rushaga Sector

The Rushaga region is located in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is historically recognized for its conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas. It is one of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park is a heritage site for the endangered mountain gorillas residing in the wild. The population of these wild apes is documented at 400, with the Rushaga sector housing the largest number of gorilla families, totaling five.

The region safeguards the Nshongi, Busingye, Kungye, Bweza, and Mishaya households. This article provides insights into the Rushaga sector and explains the reasons for trekking in this area as opposed to others in Bwindi.

Why one is  advised  to  trek in Rushaga Sector

While traveling to Rushaga, one gets the opportunity to observe the distant volcanic mountains, including the Virunga, Gahinga, and Muhavura, offering breathtaking beauty. Additionally, one may view Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest crater lake in Africa.

Driving to this region will provide an exhilarating experience of the geography, with hills and valleys that will astonish you, in addition to the scenic beauty of Kisoro district, renowned as the Switzerland of Uganda.

This sector hosts a variety of habituated Gorilla families, making it straightforward to secure your permit in advance. Daily, 40 permits are issued, allowing 8 individuals to trek each Gorilla family. Additionally, four individuals are designated for habituation activities in this region, which is unique for having two habituated Gorilla families.

You are advised to request the Gorilla family of your interest prior to the issuance of a permit, taking into account your physical fitness, as the families are situated in various locations within the region. The rangers possess knowledge of the whereabouts of each family, and for those wishing to trek more extensively, it is possible to visit multiple families in this region.

The Rushaga region features various lodges, all of which are owned by local community members, in contrast to other locations where lodges are owned by foreign investors. During your journey in Rushaga, you will spend a night at one of the lodges, such as Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, or Nshongi Gorilla Camp, among others.

This will provide you with an opportunity to engage in the evolving sector and community within this region. This sector enhances many activities relative to others, including Gorilla habituation, where tourists can spend four hours in the wild acclimating the gorillas to human proximity. Reserve with us to enjoy an unforgettable adventure with the mountain gorillas in this region.

Things to do in Rusha Sector

Are you intending to hike gorillas in the Rushaga region and contemplating other activities to pursue in the area post-trekking? This article provides a detailed explanation of additional premier activities available in Rushaga following your gorilla trip. The Rushaga sector, situated in the southern area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, hosts five gorilla families, the highest number among all sectors, and offers very accessible trekking conditions due to the terrain’s characteristics. Rushaga is readily accessible via Kisoro and serves as a convenient tracking point for travelers originating from Kigali. The habituated families in this region consist of Busingye, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, and Kahungye, all of which are accessible for monitoring and open to tourists. This is the exclusive region in Bwindi that provides the Gorilla Habituation experience, with two families, Bushaho and Bikyingi, now undergoing the process. The sector, similar to Buhoma and Ruhija sectors, provides an opportunity for visitors to engage with the Batwa population for a cultural experience. Gorilla trekking is a primary activity in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park; nevertheless, there are several other activities and attractions in the Rushaga region following a gorilla trekking excursion, including:

Batwa Cultural Interaction

During the Batwa cultural experience tour, a Batwa guide will lead you, providing insight into the traditional forest life of the Batwa in Bwindi Forest, their historical homeland. You will also have the opportunity to witness traditional Batwa dances and Stone Age practices, including fire-making techniques, among other activities.

Nature Walks

The nature walk in Bwindi Forest is an exhilarating activity that complements gorilla trekking, offering insights into many tree types and other wildlife within the forest.

Bird Watching

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the premier birdwatching locations in Uganda, hosting an astonishing 350 species. The primary birding habitat in Nkuringo is the pocket forest known as Nombe, situated approximately 5 kilometers away, along with Buniga Forest, which is just 300 meters from Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. We advise you to bring your birding book in the event of restricted safari time, as it will assist you in identifying various species that frequent the grounds at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.

Local community visits to nearby communities offer insights into the lives of the Bakiga and Batwa pygmy populations residing adjacent to the Bwindi forest. Additional activities encompass yoga at the Lodge, mountain biking, community service in local schools and initiatives, and nocturnal butterfly observation, among others.

Accommodation options in the Rushaga Sector for gorilla trekking expeditions

The lodges in the Rushaga sector comprise Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Rushaga Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, and Gorilla Valley Lodge, among others.

What is the best time to visit Rushaga sector for Gorilla trekking

The optimal period for visiting Rushaga for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is during the arid months of January, February, and from June to early September. This facilitates access to the park and provides a clearer view of the mountain gorillas due to reduced vegetation density.

How to get  Rushaga for Gorilla trekking

By Road: Rushaga may be reached via the primary highway from Entebbe/Kampala, which takes roughly 8 to 9 hours by car. You will traverse Kabale town and continue to Rushaga. The Park is accessible from Kigali, Rwanda, approximately a 4-5 hour drive away.

By Air: You may fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip to reach Rushaga. Scheduled and charter flights are offered and conducted by the domestic airlines Aero Link and Fly Uganda. Coordinate with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to your reserved lodge.

Gorilla Families In  Rushaga Sector

To undertake a Gorilla trekking trip in the Rushaga region, it is advisable to secure permits promptly to ensure a memorable encounter with the majestic apes. The following are the five habituated Gorilla groups in the Rushaga sector of the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park;

Mishaya Gorilla Family

This group resides in the Mishaya region of the forested park, consisting of 12 individuals, including one Silverback Mishaya who serves as the leader. The Mishaya family separated from the Nshongi group, which originally comprised seven members but has since expanded to twelve members. Mishaya is an exceptional combatant, and via gorilla warfare, he has successfully recruited other members from other families.

Nshongi Gorilla Family

Nshongi was formerly a cohesive family with the Bweza family; however, due to internal conflicts, it fragmented, resulting in Silverback Kakono departing with twelve members to establish the Bweza family. The organization initially consisted of 18 family members; but, following a schism, it was reduced to 7 members. This family is named after the Nshongi River, its initial observation site. The group comprises one Silverback leader, three adult females, one sub-adult, one juvenile, and one newborn. The group was officially inaugurated for tourism in 2009 and is traversed by people daily.

Bweza Gorilla Family

This group is likewise located in the Rushaga region in the southern area of the park. This faction separated from the Nshongi lineage alongside Silverback. Kakono, the leader of the family, contested Bweza Silverback’s leadership within the Nshongi group and, by the end of 2013, had established a new family. The group consists of 12 family members, including 2 Silverbacks, 4 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult, and 2 newborns.

Kahungye Gorilla Family

The Kahungye gorilla group is located in the Rushaga region. This group was made accessible to tourists in 2011, following a two-year habituation procedure, and derives its name from the hill Kahungye, where the family members were initially observed. This group consists of 17 family members, led by Silverback Rumanzi, including 3 Silverbacks, 3 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 3 sub-adults, 3 adolescents, and 2 babies. In light of escalating difficulties, the organization anticipated that certain family members would defect to the Busingye group, an occurrence that transpired around 2012.

Busingye Gorilla Family

This group was formerly associated with the Kahungye gorilla group, but Silverback Rwigi experienced a fight with Silverback Rumanzi, leading him to separate and establish his own family. This group was established for monitoring in August 2012; Busingye derives its name from a hill that serves as the habitat for this gorilla family. Prior to the division from Kahungye, the group comprised 27 members; subsequent to the separation, Silverback Rwigi, signifying a door, departed with 9 familial members.