Rushaga Sector: Rushaga Gorilla Trekking: The Ultimate Guide

Rushaga Sector: Why Rushaga gorilla trekking is a Big Ideal – This page explains why gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector offers the most adventurous gorilla trekking experience.

Rushaga sector is found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, one of the four sectors that make up the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The national park has in recent years recorded the highest number of mountain gorillas compared to all other habituation areas in the world.

In Bwindi, the exceptional Rushaga is located in the southern part of the park. The high costs of gorilla trekking in Rwanda have driven most tourists to the Rushaga sector since it is cheaper and accessible from Kigali through the Cyanika border in the Kisoro district.

The Rushaga sector, located in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, serves as one of the four trailheads for daily gorilla trekking in Uganda. The Rushaga trailhead is favoured by tourists for its gorilla habituation experience, permitting trekkers to engage with a wild gorilla family for a minimum of four hours daily.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in Uganda’s southwestern mountainous region, is one of just two global strongholds for mountain gorillas. The rainforest reserve safeguards about fifty percent of the world’s mountain gorilla population, with about 200 gorillas fully acclimated for tourists and research in four sectors of the park.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, encompassing 331 square kilometres (127 square miles), is excessively expansive for effective trekking or monitoring. UWA divided the refuge into four zones to facilitate access for tourists and researchers to the habituated gorilla groups. Trekkers can observe gorillas in the Buhoma area from the north. Ruhija is located to the east of the park, Nkuringo is situated to the south, and Rushaga is 18 km (11 mi) distant.

The Rushaga Sector is elegantly positioned on a hill, overlooking the expansive, rough rift valley sceneries with a panoramic view of the Virunga Mountains. It is a magnificent view from any ridge in this region. It will captivate you and evoke a sense of being in paradise. If the gorillas do not transport you to this region of the country, then the picturesque terrain reminiscent of storybooks should suffice!

Rushaga Sector Gorilla Trekking

Mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda (Rushaga sector)

Gorilla trekking in the Rushaga sector commences at the head office for briefing and allocation of gorilla groups, then extending to multiple trailheads that lead to the gorilla groups dispersed throughout the southern Bwindi sector. Prior to arriving to the Rushaga starting location, it is imperative to obtain a gorilla permission.

The Rushaga sector comprises eight gorilla families designated for gorilla trekking. If only eight tourists may accompany each party, then Rushaga can give a maximum of 64 gorilla permits daily. In Bwindi, the cost of a gorilla permit for tracking Rushaga gorillas is $800 per person for foreign non-residents. Foreign residents are charged $600, whereas East African nationals are required to pay 300,000 Uganda Shillings.

Only individuals aged 15 and older are permitted to track gorillas in Uganda. You may acquire your permission directly from UWA offices in Kampala or through a licensed travel operator. Regardless of how you obtain the permit, you are prepared to track gorillas upon your arrival at the Rushaga trailhead.

The UWA guide allocates each gorilla family to a cohort of eight tourists according to their physical capabilities or preferences, accompanied by two armed rangers for security and a professional tracker guide to navigate the dense, misty jungle and locate the gorillas.

At the briefing location, attendees are required to wear facemasks, maintain physical distance from one another, and have sanitised their shoes and hands before to entering the jungle. One of the entry requirements for Uganda is the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test, ensuring that all trekkers are screened for respiratory symptoms. Guests are encouraged to refrain from attending if they are unwell.

Your guide and rangers will navigate through the dense vines and bushes with a machete, maintaining the pace of the slowest trekker. They will communicate with a cadre of rangers that accompany the gorilla battalions to ascertain the troop’s whereabouts. The jungle’s captivating splendour diverts your awareness of time, and unexpectedly, they appear before you. Obscure figures traverse the verdant undergrowth, dispersed within a defined region, attending to their activities.

Your presence is momentarily overlooked as they persist in foraging, napping, or engaging in rough play under their father’s vigilant care. They appear accustomed to this scenario, where guests arrive, linger with their cameras, and thereafter depart after the same interval. They understand your intentions are benign; it is the essence of habituation.

Your engagement with a mountain gorilla family is entirely at your discretion. The optimal recommendation is to allocate half the time to engage with the gorillas and their surroundings in contemplative silence, subsequently discovering photographic opportunities when you are in harmony with your host. Nevertheless, there are certain fundamental principles that you must adhere to.

• The visit must not surpass one hour to avoid disturbing the tranquil disposition of the wild gorillas.
• Visitors must maintain a safe distance of 32 feet (10 meters) from the gorillas. Gorillas, particularly juveniles, may not adhere to this guideline but comply with the guide’s directives to prevent touch at all times.
• Avoid flash photography, as it irritates the gorillas.
• Consumption of food in proximity to the gorillas is prohibited.
• Remain calm and do not attempt to flee when a silverback approaches you. Regardless of the silverback’s apparent aggression, adhere to the guide’s directives to extricate yourself from any predicament.
• Upon concluding your time with the Rushaga gorillas, you will gradually depart from them and retrace your steps down the trail to the trailhead. While you may consume your packed lunch anywhere in the forest, please refrain from littering and ensure you return with all items you brought in your backpack.

Gorilla trekking in the Rushaga sector is a gratifying endeavour, ensuring that all participants encounter the gorillas. Tracking Rushaga gorillas is not challenging; nevertheless, visitors have the option to walk the most accessible of the eight gorilla groups offered in the Rushaga region.

For a more personal encounter with Rushaga’s gorillas, choose the gorilla habituation experience, allowing guests to accompany the research team in observing the gorillas for a minimum of four hours.

Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga

Our Gorilla Habituation Experience in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

The special gorilla habituation experience in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provides an exceptional opportunity to engage with extraordinary wild animals for up to four hours. Instead of dedicating a fleeting hour to them, engage, observe, and shoot them at a more leisurely pace.

The habituation experience provides a more comprehensive, deep, and profound relationship compared to the gorilla trekking experience. The unhurried acclimatisation approach allows for greater opportunity to relax and comprehend the daily dynamics of gorilla family life. It provides photographers with a more tranquil setting to produce exceptional images amid a demanding natural landscape.

Anticipate encountering gorillas that are less at ease in the presence of humans than during a typical trek. The authentic wilderness experience is the essence of the gorilla habituation in Rushaga.

The Rushaga tourism sector, located in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is the sole trailhead in Uganda that provides a gorilla habituation experience. Only two gorilla groups are designated for research and habituation activities in the Rushaga sector.

The Experience

Expert trackers and guides escort guests into the forest at dawn, prior to daybreak. They collect gorilla spoor and evidence left by the gorillas along the trail as they traverse the jungle. The search commences upon locating the gorilla nests from the previous night, and, due to your early initiation, you typically encounter the gorillas shortly after discovering the nests.

Mountain gorillas construct new nests each night, mostly on the ground or infrequently in a tree, and never reuse the same nest. Infants that are either too young or lack the requisite skills to build a nest independently rely on their mother. Gorillas typically traverse less than one mile daily, remaining in close proximity to their prior night’s nest.

Upon arriving at the family’s location, proceed with caution. Approaching these formidable yet astute mountain giants can be daunting for a novice. Your guide will provide instructions on employing non-threatening body language to soothe the dominant silverback and enable him to establish his control.

Remain in the vicinity of the wild gorilla family, observing their gradual acclimatisation to human presence and their subsequent movements when they choose to relocate. Unaccustomed to your presence, they may exhibit unpredictable behaviour, which your guide will likely be equipped to manage. This time-intensive method is essential for them to ultimately feel completely at ease with tourists.

Habituation Permit

The cost of a gorilla habituation permit in Uganda is $1,500 per individual, and these permits are exclusively available for the Rushaga sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The price is undeniably steep; yet, given that Rwanda imposes a similar fee for a basic gorilla trip, the expense of the habituation experience in Uganda is justified.

Foreign residents and East African nations receive reductions on the habituation permit. Foreign residents incur a fee of $1,000, whereas nationals are charged 750,000 Uganda Shillings.

Your habituation permit can be obtained from the UWA office or a licensed travel operator. The minimum age for habituation is 15 years.

Gorilla Trekking Vs. Habituation Experience

5 Hours with Wild Mountain Gorillas (World’s Best Wildlife Encounter?)

Regardless of whether you are trekking fully habituated mountain gorillas or participating in the gorilla habituation experience, each encounter with gorillas is unique. Given the numerous daily factors, comparing gorilla trekking with habituation experiences is challenging.

During a specific expedition, the gorillas may exhibit lethargy and inactivity, however the same troop can display enthusiasm and vigour the following day. They may be concealed in thick jungle underbrush and frolicking in a clear woodland glade at another time.

Considering all these daily variables, how does the gorilla habituation experience contrast with a typical gorilla hiking in Rushaga?

In contrast to a typical gorilla encounter, which restricts your interaction with the large animals to one hour, you are afforded four hours with the wild mountain gorillas. Secondly, a maximum of eight people, in addition to guides and rangers, may visit each gorilla troop during a standard gorilla trekking excursion. During a habituation session, a maximum of four guests are permitted per gorilla family. It offers a more secluded and personal jungle experience.

Is it possible to engage in both gorilla trekking and habituation experiences? Indeed, one can participate in gorilla trekking and subsequently engage in the habituation experience the next day on the same Uganda gorilla safari. UWA permits tourists to reserve a gorilla trekking permit and a habituation permit on separate days, as both activities commence early in the morning.

Other Activities in Rushaga

Following the observation of gorillas, numerous activities in the Rushaga region attract tourists, such as cultural interactions, community village walks, birdwatching trails, and natural hiking routes, among others.

1. Meet the Batwa Forest People (3-5 hrs)

The Batwa: Ugandan People of the Forest

The Batwa inhabited the Bwindi forest for numerous millennia prior to their expulsion to facilitate conservation efforts. Their civilisations are profoundly entrenched in the rainforest ecosystem. Currently, the Batwa reside in settlements on the periphery of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and provide excursions to explore their cultural places and appreciate their profound cultural heritage.

The Batwa culture tour in Rushaga is a tremendously engaging activity to undertake following the mountain gorilla hike. A visit to the Batwa site in Rushaga will unveil a profound history of Batwa interactions with the trees, indigenous knowledge, and a deeply entrenched culture of forest reliance.

Batwa cultural traditions and belief systems are interconnected with forest flora, fauna, and locations. Despite the Batwa tribe’s absence from the forest, they ascribe cultural significance to its resources that nourished their ancestors. Consequently, they see forest flora and fauna, encompassing tubers, herbs, vines, fruit-bearing trees, duikers, flying squirrels, bushbucks, and cane rats, as integral components of their natural environment and cultural identity.

Moreover, the Batwa people ascribe significant cultural value to forest locations, encompassing caves, hot springs, marshes, rivers, hills, large stones, and holes. Numerous locations possess spiritual significance that is believed to have contributed to the longevity of their forefathers.

A Batwa elder will recount an elaborate narrative of forest myths, taboos, totems, and folklore along the walk. You will explore a homestead, engage in their music, sample their beer, and converse in their language along this cultural route.

2. Walking Trails (2-6 hrs)

The Rushaga sector features two primary paths for tourists: the Kara Ridge Trail and the Kapata Trail. The Kara Ridge Trail highlights the scenic vistas around the Rushaga area, continuing to the Virungas, offering expansive views of the rocky western Uganda region. It is optimal for photography.

The 3-hour Kapata route is quite simple, leading through a village household and highlighting agriculture, plant species, and a honey farm.

The most captivating nature paths necessitate a drive of at least 10 km from Rubuguri, encompassing Nkuringo, Buhoma, Lake Mutanda, and the picturesque islands and shoreline of Lake Bunyonyi. In Buhoma or Nkuringo, one can access the trails leading into the Bwindi jungle or traverse the majestic rainforest.

At Lake Mutanda, one can embark on a canoe excursion across the lake in a traditional dugout canoe. Lake Bunyonyi offers numerous engaging and leisurely activities that can occupy you for a day or two.

3. Bird Watching in Rushaga (2-6 hrs)

The Rushaga area, located south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, provides exceptional montane-forest birdwatching opportunities in Africa. A birdwatching expedition including 350 species that inhabit the Bwindi forest canopy will be a pleasure for enthusiasts seeking to enhance their lists during a 2-3 hour tour led by an expert guide.

This is a trip of exploration along a serpentine path bordered by lush, exotic flora within an ancient jungle and adjacent to undulating terraced fields on the steep mountains of western Uganda.

The Rushaga birding routes meander between evergreen and montane marshes, traversing the verdant forest floor, ultimately guiding you to captivating waterfalls that emit a resounding roar as fresh river water cascades against massive boulders. Situated in lush green landscapes, the waterfalls that cascade in the Bwindi jungle are indeed a remarkable spectacle. The abundance of birds, the bustle of conversation, and the falling waterfalls create a wonderful sound that resonates through your eardrums and invigorates your unconscious body.

While traversing the Bwindi river route, remain vigilant for the White-tailed Ant Thrush, the elegant francolin, the magnificent Black Bee-eater, as well as the Yellow-eyed Black and African Sooty Flycatchers near the river.

Explore the Mubwindi Swamp route in Ruhija, where encounters with the rare and localised African green broadbill are common. Look upwards into the treetops and have your binoculars ready to observe the Short-tailed Warbler, Blue-headed Sunbird, African Green Broadbill, and Shelley’s Crimsonwing.

Rushaga Gorilla Trekking Facts

Touched by a Wild Mountain Gorilla – The Day I Got In It’s Way

Experience a high number of Gorilla Families with Guaranteed Gorilla Permits

Rushaga sector is well known for sheltering the highest numbers of habituated mountain gorilla families that are available for trekking. The Rushaga gorilla sector habituates five gorilla groups which guarantee travelers great chances of accessing the permits except for other gorilla sectors.

The gorilla families here include the Nshongi, Busingye, Kahungye, Bweza, Kutu, Rwigi, Muchunguzi, and Bikingi. These gorilla families however vary in size. Just like all other gorilla areas, the silverback leads the family and determines the movements and other daily activities within the family.

In Rushaga, there are 40 permits available on daily basis for those interested to visit. Fact that there are many gorilla families in the Rushaga sector, you will be glad to choose for yourself which gorilla family you would prefer to track.

Reasons Why Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga is the most Adventurous?

The region where Rushaga is located is dominated by high hills and ridges. The place is beautiful for sightseeing and landscape photography. The Bwindi forest as well is seen undulating over these hills and if your gorilla trek is in Rushaga, you will be hiking over these hills.

The mix of hills, valleys, and ridges makes gorilla trekking in Rushaga the most adventurous experience.

As you trek gorillas from Rushaga you will also enjoy great scenic views and at some points, you can as well see the Virunga ranges in Rwanda and Uganda that include Mgahinga, Muhavura, Sabinyo, Karusimbi, and Bisoke among others. There is Lake Mutanda which is one of the only two lava-dammed lakes in Uganda. You can enjoy a canoe ride on the lake before or after your gorilla trek.

Best Time To Go

The Rushaga Sector is accessible for gorilla trekking throughout the year, with optimal periods being from June to August and December to February. During certain periods, the jungle trails are drier and less treacherous, increasing the likelihood of remaining dry while observing the gorillas. The dry season enhances the experience, particularly in photography.

The dry seasons from June to August and December to February are peak periods in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Uganda as a travel destination. Gorilla permits for the Rushaga Sector are in significant demand during the peak season; thus, I strongly advise securing your permit several months in advance. Alternatively, capitalise on the low season rates, particularly if you are travelling to Uganda on a budget.

In March, April, May, October, and November, access to Rushaga may be difficult for certain vehicles due to the damp conditions prevalent throughout these months. Nonetheless, the roads have been enhanced, allowing a standard 4×4 to traverse the 43-km dirt route connecting Muko and Rushaga with greater ease.

Gorilla trekking expeditions in the Rushaga sector occur daily, regardless of weather conditions or public holidays. Moreover, the climatic conditions of the tropical rainforest around Bwindi are highly unpredictable; precipitation may occur at any moment within the jungle. If you are indifferent to rain, consider visiting Rushaga to follow mountain gorillas on any date of your choosing.

What To Carry

The Rushaga area is located in Uganda’s most humid tropical regions, necessitating that your initial goods for your gorilla safari or trekking excursions should be those that provide dryness.

• Waterproof footwear is recommended to protect your toes from muddy water.
• A poncho or lightweight rain gear will protect you from getting soaked when traversing beneath the forest canopy.
• Attire that conceals the arms and legs. I recommend lightweight trousers and long-sleeved shirts. You will traverse a thick jungle, cleaving through prickly branches and stomping on irritable insects that may react against your delectable skin. Include a pair of trekking gloves. Conceal yourself!
• An adequate jumper to provide warmth during chilly evenings.
• A little insect repellent spray is an excellent solution to deter woodland flies.
• Two N95 facemasks for the gorilla expedition
• Your lightweight backpack has to contain energy bars, a water flask and your photography equipment.

Ensure to pack minimally, as prolonged walking each day may be hindered by a cumbersome rucksack, perhaps truncating your journey.

Where To Stay in Rushaga sector

The premier luxury lodging for gorilla tracking in Rushaga is located approximately 14 km from the sector. The majority of accommodations in Rushaga are budget-friendly with average service quality.

Quality Accommodation

• Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge — $230 pp/n, 14 km from Rushaga in Nkuringo
• Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge — $831 pp/n, 14 km from Rushaga in Nkuringo
• Mutanda Lake Resort — $155 pp/single, 19 km from Rushaga
• Chameleon Hill Lodge — $130 pp/sharing, 16 km from Rushaga

Budget Accommodation

Budget accommodation around the Rushaga section is readily available. For about $50 to $200 per night, you can get a decent bed, bathroom, and breakfast.

• Rushaga Gorilla Camp
• Gorilla Valley Lodge
• Nshongi Camp
• Gorilla Safari Lodge
• Wagtail Eco Safari Camp
• Bwindi Jungle Lodge
• Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

How To Get To Rushaga

The Rushaga sector is situated on the southern boundary of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a few kilometres from the Democratic Republic of the Congo border, at the edge of the Albertine Rift. The distance is approximately 34 km (1.5-hour drive) from Kisoro Town (Kisoro Airport) and around 83 km (2.5-hour drive) from Kable Town, located at coordinates 1°07’09.4″S 29°42’36.7″E.

By Road

Entebbe – Kabale – Rushaga:
The path to Rushaga sector is most easily accessed from Entebbe via Kabale, diverging at Muko (2 km from Lake Bunyonyi on the Kabale-Kisoro road) and continuing 38 kilometres along a dirt road. The route spans 497 km (297 mi), of which just 34 km (21 mi) consists of a dirt road, readily traversable by a 4×4 vehicle in roughly 10 hours.

Entebbe – Kisoro – Mutanda – Nkuringo:
The longest trip from the International Airport is through Entebbe, Kabale, Kisoro, and ultimately Rushaga. The route spans approximately 527 kilometres (327 mi), including roughly 34 km (21 mi) of unpaved road from Kisoro Town, requiring nearly 11 hours of driving time.

Travellers may also access this route at Kisoro from Rwanda through the Cyanika border in the south and from the Democratic Republic of the Congo via the Bunagana border in the west. Both border entrance locations are around 19 kilometres (11 miles) from Kisoro Town.

From the Katuna (Gatuna) border in Rwanda, proceed 24 km (14 mi) over a well-maintained asphalt road to Kabale, then connect to the Kabale-Kisoro road. Subsequently, exit at Muko (2 km from Lake Bunyonyi on the Kabale-Kisoro route) to access the 34-km (21-mi) unpaved road leading to the Rushaga area.

Ishasha Sector in Queen Elizabeth NP – Kihihi – Rushaga:
off the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, one can traverse through Kihihi (airstrip) via Kanungu and Rutoma, thereafter joining the Kabale-Kisoro Highway at Rubanda and on to Muko, where one diverges off the highway. This path is unpaved and requires a 4×4 safari vehicle for traversal. This trip spans roughly 160 kilometres (99 miles) and has an estimated driving duration of 5 hours.

Alternatively, one may drive to Buhoma and traverse the Bwindi Forest through the Ruhija Sector, covering a distance of 148 kilometres, which would need approximately 5 hours of travel on a dirt road.

By Air

The most expedient air transfer to Rushaga Sector from Entebbe International Airport is via Kisoro Airport, located around 34 km (21 mi) away, requiring a one-hour drive on an unpaved road. Aerolink conducts daily scheduled and charter flights between Kisoro and Entebbe.

For connecting flights to Masai Mara or Serengeti, you will go from Kisoro to Entebbe and then proceed to the other locations in the region. Additionally, planes provide connections to Kasese (Queen Elizabeth National Park), Semiliki, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo National Park. Enquire with your operator on available flights.

The alternate airport is located in Kihihi, some 125 km (77 mi) away, requiring a four-hour journey. Kihihi Airstrip is generally not a preferable choice if flying to Kisoro is available. This is applicable if you plan to traverse the Buhoma-Nkuringo trail in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Walking/Hiking

Buhoma – Nkuringo (across Bwindi) – Rushaga

If you are considering an outdoor excursion during your trip to Nkuringo to observe the mountain gorillas, I recommend the Buhoma-Nkuringo trekking trail. Bwindi’s most renowned hiking track traverses the thick jungle through the Kashasha or Ivy Rivers.

Approximately 120 kilometres of jarring unpaved road exist between Nkuringo and Buhoma. The 17 kilometre trek through the jungle not only circumvents the lengthy 5-hour trip between the two locations but also offers the reward of traversing one of the planet’s oldest and pristine rainforest reserves.

The forest is our primary destination for relaxation. Strolling among ancient trees is nearly peaceful and serves as a significant remedy for stress. Hikers invariably emerge from the jungle fatigued yet more content than upon entry.

Your driver, who navigated the bush, will be on the opposite side to greet you and transport you to your lodging in Rushaga or Nkuringo.

Kisoro – Lake Mutanda – Rushaga Village Walking Trail

Imagine arriving in Kisoro and possessing the stamina to embark on a hiking expedition in the most secluded regions of western Uganda. The Kisoro-Mutanda-Rushaga African village walking trail is strongly endorsed in such scenario.

The African village walking adventure track, conducted by Nkuringo Walking Safaris, commences in Kisoro town, accompanied by a knowledgeable walking and birding guide, traversing homesteads and communities. Disregard the orchestrated village performances and greetings: during this guided village stroll, you will not be anticipated, resulting in a genuine experience of observing Africans in their everyday existence.

The path descends from the densely inhabited settlements adjacent to Kisoro town, traversing valleys, ascending steep ridges, and encircling exquisitely tended gardens, ultimately unveiling breathtaking vistas of Lake Mutanda and the majestic Virunga mountains in the background.

At Lake Mutanda, you will embark on a dugout boat accompanied by a rowing expert who will navigate you across the picturesque lake to the resort, where your driver will be waiting to transport you to Rushaga. This village route offers abundant opportunities for learning, observation, and experience; consider it if you are arriving in Kisoro.