RUSHAGA THE BEST GORILLA TREKKING SECTOR IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is centered within the four (4) major areas and most importantly Rushaga sector is one of them. Rushaga is famous as an highland for mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This area is situated in the southern side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and it is also blessed with a series of Habituated Gorilla Families. Rushaga’s gorilla groups are frequently sought after by visitors and they include Nshongi, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye and Mishaya. All these mountain gorilla families are dully habituated which means, tourists can go for gorilla trekking in any of them. Due to its strategic location, even tourists from Rwanda can still connect to Rushaga to see the rare mountain gorilla. Rushaga is also popular for stunning panoramic view of the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Mutanda and Lake Bunyonyi together with its 29 islands.

MOUNTAIN GORILLAS AT RUSHAGA

Besides gorilla trekking, Rushaga area is also famous as the only place where tourists can visit for Gorilla Habituation Experience. Did you know about this? The Gorilla Habituation Experience is one of the remarkable experiences of a kind. No where else offers this kind of experience even if you checked other countries where mountain gorillas are protected. If gorilla tracking is a life time experience, then gorilla habituation experience rewards beyond imagination. Gorilla habituation experience offers tourists a total of 4 (four) hours to be with the mountain gorillas whereas gorilla trekking tourists are allowed to spend only one (1) hour. Gorilla habituation experience takes place in Bikingi gorilla group and Bushaho gorilla group near Nkuringo area. For gorilla tracking/trekking, the gorilla permits are purchased at $600 and for gorilla habituation experience, the permits are purchased at $1500. Gorilla trekking is also adventure for many tourists about 8 (eight) visitors per gorilla group unlike Gorilla Habituation Experiences where only 4 people are allowed per gorilla family per day.

While at Rushaga area, your expectations should go beyond seeing mountain gorillas because the area also offers a range of interesting activities like village walks and walk in the Buniga Forest where you will explore about the Batwa pygmies. Have you ever thought about encountering the first inhabitants of Bwindi Impenetrable rain forest? If so, then count visiting Rushaga a must! Your experience in the Batwa community is not just, staring at their heights yes they have incredible heights but your experience will involve lessons concerning their culture and traditions, life styles in the forest. Imagine they lived in the Bwindi's jungle for about 500000 years probably they never wished to get out of this forest but due to conservation, they found themselves out. They lived in the forest for centuries and to day the Batwa cultural encounters are much appreciated by visitors who get into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Combine your mountain gorilla safari with the Batwa Cultural Encounter. By so doing, you will have supported the Batwa Community greatly!

THE BATWA PYGMIES

What makes Rushaga area famous for mountain gorilla trekking? There is nothing more tiring like lengthy journeys. However, Rushaga’s accessibility is the major reason why it is regarded as the best gorilla trekking area in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The tourists interested in tracking the area spend only 3 (three) hours to drive from Kigali. You also use Aero-link and then fly up to Kisoro from Entebbe International Airport and this will takes a client only 45 minutes to connect to Rushaga.

Alternatively, you can drive from Entebbe-Kampala-Rushaga sector which will take you 9-10 hours. The interesting bit of long journeys is that, a tourist has opportunities to include or enjoy other incredible activities and fantastic products along the way especially from Kampala-Kibale Forest and then enjoy chimpanzee tracking or spend the whole day with Chimpanzees during the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and as well, you have chance to stare at incredible tree climbing lions at Ishasha area-Queen Elizabeth National Park.

THE RARE TREE CLIMBING LION 

Lodging facilities in Rushaga:

For any one interested in tracking gorilla families at Rushaga area accommodation facilities are key. Rushaga has a range of Lodges right from budget to luxury and these include Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nshongi Camp, and Gorilla Valley Lodge. Other lodging facilities for you to choose from include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort for moderate choice, and travelers Rest Hotel for budget.

What else is required of you?

You can as well obtain an East African Tourism Visa and Yellow fever certificate and then you will ready for Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga, Uganda.

Further more, tourists also have an opportunity to do hiking in and around the Rushaga sector. The hiking trails include the Kapata trail which takes about 3 (three) hours which also comes with nature, local history and culture.

The Kara ridge trail is another moderately hard trail which offers panoramic view of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Rubuguri. While in this trail, your experiences are centered on local cultures, traditions not forgetting the only ancient forest occupants the Batwa pygmies. Amazingly, your six hour trail is little challenging but you will appreciate the views at Congo, Rwanda and other surrounding areas within Uganda. You can also take trail via Bwindi Forest which starts from Kisoro or you can choose to end the journey at Kisoro and then include canoeing experiences across Lake Mutanda.

In conclusion, Rushaga area is the best sector for mountain gorilla trekking and also the only area for Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Visit Rushaga sector and you will appreciate the unique experiences that this area provides to the world. Enjoy Rushaga-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-Uganda.