Which sector is best for gorilla Buhoma Vs Rushaga
Which sector is best for gorilla Buhoma Vs Rushaga, Best sector for gorilla tracking: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla species. Bwindi is a prehistoric park in the southwestern part of Uganda covering districts of Kisoro, Kabale, and Kanungu at the edge of the Albertine rift. It is an impenetrable forest covering over 331 sq km (32,000 ha) at an altitude range of1,160 m to 2,607 meters above sea level.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that represents a conservation leading edge as an isolated forest of outstanding biological richness surrounded by an agricultural landscape that supports one of the highest rural population densities in tropical Africa. This park is divided into four sectors namely Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo, each sector has habituated gorilla families ready for daily tracking. Each sector has positives and negatives that make it favourable to choose which sector to carry out their adventure. In this piece of writing, we are trying to compare the Buhoma sector and the Rushaga sector.
Regarding popularity
The Buhoma gorilla tracking sector is regarded as the most popular tracking sector as it was the first sector to have a habituated gorilla family and was opened for tracking on 13- October -1993. The Mubare gorilla family was first sighted by researchers on that day and had 6 members, 1 silverback,3 adult females, and 2 infants. Today the sector has 5 habituated gorilla families which has helped to increase the number of trekkers visiting the sector daily as 8 people are allowed to trek to a specific gorilla family daily. On the other hand, Rushaga’s popularity is so significant as it is the only sector that offers the gorilla habituation experience that allows trekkers to remain in the presence of the gorillas for four hours learning about their behaviour, characteristics, feeding habits, and patience to human presence.
In terms of gorilla families
Which sector is best for gorilla Buhoma Vs Rushaga, Buhoma sector has 5 habituated gorilla families namely Mubare- the oldest and first family, with 12 members, Rushegura family with 19 members, Habinyanja with 17 members, Muyambi with 6 members, and Katwe with 9 members.
Rushaga sector is home to 8 habituated gorilla families namely, Nshongi with members. Mishaya with 8 members, Kahungye family with 13 members, Busingye family with 9 members, Bweza family with 12 members, Bikingi gorilla family with 12 members, Rwigi gorilla family with 10 members, and Mucunguzi gorilla family with 12 members. Buhoma remains a vibrant trekking sector but Rushaga sector with more gorilla families attracts more trekkers thus a perfect spot for the gorilla trekking excursion.
In terms of accessibility
Buhoma sector is the most easily accessed sector in the region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. travellers from Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Ishasha sector access Buhoma after a 4-hour drive. Alternatively, from Entebbe or Kajjansi, one can take a chartered flight to Kihihi Airstrip and then drive to on park headquarters. For one heading to Rushaga from Entebbe International Airport, he/she can take a flight to Kisoro airstrip and then drive for 1-2 hours to the park headquarters
From Kigali, you can access Buhoma easily by using Katuna / Gatuna border through Kabale. The journey takes 4-5 hours. You can also use Cyanika border though its slightly longer as it takes 6 hours. However, Rushaga sector is easily accessed from Kigali when you use Cyanika border post as it takes 3-4 hours by car. All in all, all sectors are easily accessed by use of either road or air transport.
Considering accommodation
Rushaga and Buhoma gorilla tracking sectors have accommodations that suit travelers with different budgets. These range from high-end -luxury, midrange, and budget. Buhoma has the highest number of eco-friendly luxurious lodges suitable for nature lovers. Some of them are deep in the forests which gives visitors a chance to see some wild animals that come to their compounds such as monkeys, and elephants. Some of the accommodations in Buhoma include Buhoma Lodge, Trackers Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Mahogany Springs, and Gorilla Sanctuary Resort among others.
Rushaga sector also has several accommodations and some of them include Rushaga Community Camp, Nshongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Hills eco-lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, and Rushaga Havens Gorilla Lodge among others.
Visitors to Rushaga sector can make a stopover and visit Lake Mutanda in Kisoro for a boat ride while from Buhoma, trips can easily be tailored to Queen Elizabeth National Park for more wildlife expeditions.
Best time to visit Buhoma and Ruhija sectors.
Which sector is best for gorilla Buhoma Vs Rushaga, All the gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi impenetrable Park can be accessed any time of the year. Though weather changes seasonally in Uganda, the most effective time is the dry season from December to February and June to September when the tracking trails are dry and passable. There fore before travelling to Bwindi, take note of the weather conditions and the case of Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors that have rugged terrain tend to be nerve-racking in the wet season.
For one to participate in the gorilla trekking activity in any of the sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, they must be 15 years and above and acquire a gorilla trekking permit that costs $800, issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority
Choosing the best tracking sector in Bwindi largely depends on your level of fitness as well as personal interests and love to tailor your adventure to other tourism facilities in close range. Gorilla tracking is a strenuous but rewarding and memorable adventure in which one should get involved once in a lifetime.
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