Top 5 Gorilla Families in Rushaga Gorilla Sector of Bwindi
Rushaga Gorilla sector is one of the four sectors of Bwindi impenetrable National park located in the southern regions of the park, opened in 2009 for gorilla trekking, famously known for the largest number of habituated mountain gorilla family it is holding compared to other sectors of Bwindi forest.
Rushaga hosts 5mountain gorilla families namely Kahungye, Mishaya, Busingye, Nshongi, and Bweza. Each gorilla family is estimated to have at least 30 individual gorillas making it the most preferred sector by tourists for gorilla trekking.
Rushaga Gorilla Sector is the only region of Bwindi offering a gorilla habituation experience, a new tour package established by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
It helps the endangered mountain gorillas get wildlife familiarity in the presence of humans, suitable for tourists who want to spend much time with the gorillas, at least four hours with them compared to the standard time of 1hour for gorilla trekking.
Gorilla Habituation at Bwindi, in the Rushaga sector, costs USD 1,500, standard time of 4 hours and Gorilla trekking is USD 700, standard time of 1 hour.
Gorilla Families in Rushaga Sector of Bwindi
Nshongi Gorilla family
Led by a dominant silverback called Nshongi, this was the largest gorilla family first to be habituated in Rushaga sector before the split up to get Mishaya gorilla family.
It consisted of 36 gorillas but after the split up, it now has 26 individuals and 3 silver back which later a gain split up to get Bweza gorilla family leaving the group with only 18 individual gorillas.
This gorilla family is one of the most peaceful, with no fights from another silverback over power yet they are older than the leader on the throne.
Mishaya Gorilla family
Led by a dominant silverback called Mishaya, a famous warrior who split away from Nshongi family , going away with 7females to make his own group, created more fights with other groups he encountered.
It gathered more members and adding up to 13 individual gorillas but currently the group consists of 7 members caused due to poor leadership which made them to escape to other settled groups.
Kahungye gorilla family
This is one of the strongest and most exciting gorilla families in Rushaga sector led by a dominant silverback called Rumansi.
The group was introduced to the sector in 2011, when it had 13 members, it grew up to 27 members who later split up due to misunderstandings leading to the formation of a new gorilla family called Busingye leaving it with only 18 members.
Busingye gorilla family
Led by a dominant silverback called Busingye who split away from Kahungye gorilla family forming his own family consisting of 7 individual gorillas with one dominant silverback.
The group contains 3 infants which makes it very active and hence very fun to watch.
Bwesa gorilla family
This is one of the most exciting gorilla families at the Rushaga sector, easily accessible consisting of 7members inclusive of two infants living under one silverback.
It is one of the most preferred by tourists, seeing it in its habitat and going about its daily activities leaves you with lots of unforgettable moments.
Best time to visit Rushaga sector
Although Rushaga sector is open for gorilla trekking through out the year, the best time to visit Rushaga Sector is during the dry seasons with little or no rainfall at all starting in June to September and December.
During this season, gorilla trails are very much accessible, as they are dry and the mountain gorillas are always active out from their habitats going about their activities making them very easy to be tracked compared to the rainy seasons which keep them in their hideouts making it so hard to trace them.
Rainy seasons as well as come with numerous benefits such as low traffic at popular destinations such as Rushaga sector, low accommodation and car rental costs.
Most service providers tend to offer discounts during these low seasons to attract sales. However, these seasons are featured with flooded, muddy and slippery gorilla trails making it hard to navigate through them.
Where to stay in Rushaga Sector;
There is a variety of accommodations at Rushaga sector to hold visitors in comfort during their gorilla trekking experience in the Bwindi forest.
These accommodations range from mid-range to luxury suiting all the traveler’s needs featured with well maintained, spacious rooms, a stocked bar and a restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, ample parking space, Wi-Fi, warm water and accompanied with uninterrupted views of nature.
Accommodations at Rushaga sector include; Gorilla Safari Lodge, Wagtail Eco safari camp, Clouds mountain Lodge, Chameleon Hill lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Camp and Nshongi Camp.
Top things to do in Rushaga Sector After Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Habituation; The gorilla habituation experience in Uganda only takes place at Rushaga, introduced on 1st Jan 2024 by Uganda Wildlife Authority as a new tour package. During this activity, 8 people are assigned to each habituated gorilla family in a day, they take at least 4 hours with guidance from a park guide watching them in their habitats this helps them to get wildlife familiarity in the presence of humans.
Birding; Rushaga sector is a habitat to over 300 bird species, inclusive of the rare bird species of Albertine Rift and migratory birds making it one of the top birding destinations in Bwindi.
Bird watching is best done during nature walks in the safe zones of the park. birder are accompanied by an experienced birding guide to help spot them easily through the forest trails.
Some of the famous birds of the Rushaga sector include the Grey cuckoo shrike, bar-tailed trogon, African green broad-bill, African sooty flycatcher, African wood owl, mountain yellow warbler, and green tinker bird, black bee-eater among others.
Community walks; Involve visiting the local villages to encounter the local people living just adjacent to the Bwindi forest.
These local people include the Batwa people, the first inhabitants of the Bwindi forests, and the Bakiga cultural group of people.
During the visits, tourists get deep insights into the lives of these locals through interactions, watching how they go on with their daily activities, exploring there local markets, watch their captivating dances, songs, and poems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rushaga Sector
1. Where is Rushaga Sector located?
Rushaga Sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. It is one of the four sectors in the park where visitors can track mountain gorillas.
2. How do I get to Rushaga Sector?
By Road: It takes about 8-10 hours from Kampala or Entebbe via Mbarara to Kisoro, then to Rushaga.
By Air: There are domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip, followed by a 2-hour drive to Rushaga.
3. What makes Rushaga Sector unique?
Rushaga has the highest number of gorilla families in Bwindi, making it easier to secure gorilla trekking permits. It is also the only sector offering the Gorilla Habituation Experience, where visitors spend four hours with semi-habituated gorillas.
4. How many gorilla families are in Rushaga?
Rushaga is home to several habituated gorilla groups, including:
Mishaya
Kahungye
Bweza
Busingye
Nshongi
Bikyingi (for habituation experience)
5. How much is a gorilla trekking permit for Rushaga?
A gorilla trekking permit in Rushaga costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. The Gorilla Habituation Experience permit costs $1,500 per person.
6. What is the best time to visit Rushaga for gorilla trekking?
The best time is during the dry seasons (June to September and December to February) when the trails are less slippery. However, gorilla trekking is available all year round.
7. What should I pack for gorilla trekking in Rushaga?
Hiking boots
Rain jacket
Long-sleeved clothing
Gloves
Walking stick (provided at the park entrance)
Packed lunch and drinking water
8. What other activities can I do in Rushaga Sector?
Apart from gorilla trekking, visitors can enjoy:
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Batwa Cultural Experience
Bird watching
Nature walks around Bwindi forest
9. Where can I stay in Rushaga Sector?
Rushaga has a variety of lodging options, including:
Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
10. Is gorilla trekking in Rushaga difficult?
The terrain is hilly and sometimes steep, making it moderately difficult. However, porters are available to assist with carrying backpacks and providing support during the trek.