Ruhija sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population located in the southwestern region of Uganda. Ruhija sector is one of the four sectors of Bwindi National Park where gorilla trekking is carried out. The sector lies on the eastern side of the park and is one of the best gorilla-tracking destinations in the park. The other sectors include Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

Ruhija lies at an altitude of 2340 meters above sea level making it the coldest area in Bwindi but offering stunning sights of the distant Virunga volcanos, forested ridges, and breathtaking views of the western rift valley.

Things to do in Ruhija

Gorilla trekking

This is the most important reason why many tourists visit the Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Ruhija was opened as a gorilla tracking destination in 2008. The sector has four fully habituated gorilla families ready for daily trekking: the Orugozo family, the Bitukura family, the Mukiza family, and the Kyaguriro family. At first, the Kyaguriro family had been set aside for research but has currently fully been opened for tracking.

Ruhija sector provides an amazing gorilla trekking experience as the terrain is navigable compared to other sectors and can be easily traversed by the aged.

For one to participate in the gorilla trekking expedition using this sector, one should be 15 years and above and must have a trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.  A limited number of 8 people are allowed to visit a gorilla family per day. Trekkers are allowed to spend one festive hour in the presence of the gentle giant apes. Trekkers are reminded to have the necessary trekking gear like good hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, waterproof jackets, long warm stockings, and a packed lunch. Walking sticks are provided at the park and porters are always available for hire. Trekkers must be physically fit and ready for the activity as it involves hiking for hours to locate the gorillas.

Bird watching

Ruhija sector is a favourite birding destination as it is home to nearly 23 endemic bird species thus making it recognizable for global conservation. In this excursion,  participants are led by experienced game guides who help to spot the birds, and the use of binoculars is so crucial.  Some of the bird species that can be spotted in the area include hornbills, dusky crimson wings, back flycatchers, yellow-streaked greenbul, Rwenzori turaco, and grey bush shrike, among others.

Forest walks

Guided nature walks through this natural rainforest are an awesome experience. This is one way of discovering the natural wild wonders at a close range.  In this sector,  nature walks are always done along the Bamboo trail, which takes you through different vegetation zones such as afro montane vegetation, bamboo vegetation, and tropical vegetation where you will spot different animals like primates, forest elephants, bird species like brown snake eagle, African jacana among others. Hiking along this trail is a bit strenuous as it takes over 7 hours to complete it but very adventurous.

Visiting the Batwa community

An encounter with the Batwa community is one thing you shouldn’t miss when you visit Bwindi National Park using the Ruhija sector. The Batwa were indigenously forest dwellers but were later evicted from the forest by the government for conservation purposes. The Batwa currently reside at the edges of the forest park. a visit to these people will reward you with an extensive understanding of their traditions through their amazing presentations through storytelling, songs, dances, and other cultural demonstrations like hunting, collecting honey, and picking medicinal herbs. At the end of your visit to these people, you can buy some of their handmade crafts as a way of supporting them to improve their livelihood.

Visiting the local community projects

Many people living on the outskirts of the park have started different developmental projects like craft making, basket weaving, tailoring, and beekeeping. These projects are a source of income and employ many people. With tourism to the park, these projects receive funding, and visitors are free to take part in some of these activities. Men. Women and the youth rely on them for sustainability, development, and improvement of their well-being. These activities help to keep them busy thus bridging the gap between the environment and wildlife conservation.

How to get to Ruhija sector in Bwindi

Ruhija sector in the eastern part of Bwindi can be accessed by both road and air transport means. Travelling by air you will have to book a flight from Entebbe airport to Kihihi airstrip then connect to Ruhija by road through Buhoma on a 1–2-hour drive.

From Kampala, by road, the best route is through Kabale town through Ikumba then drive to the briefing point. The road to Ruhija from Kabale- Kisoro is quite challenging, especially during the rainy season. It is always advisable to use a private 4x4WD from Kampala or Kigali depending on your starting point.

Gorilla families in Ruhija

Ruhija sector has four fully habituated gorilla families ready for daily tracking and these include.

Bitukura gorilla family

This is one of the gorilla families that is fully and habituated and visiting is done daily. This family was uniquely habituated for one year, from 2007 to 2008.  It is so friendly and comprises 13 members: 4 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 blackbacks, 1 juvenile  2 infants, and the dominant silverback

Orugozo gorilla family

This family was named after the plant species “orugozo” where it was first sighted. It was habituated in 2008 and currently consists of 17 members 1 dominant silverback, other two silverbacks, 5 adult females, 3 sub-adult females, 2 juveniles, and 2 infants. This group was opened for tracking in 2011 and since then it has proved so attractive to many tourists because it has individuals who entertain visitors.

Kyaguriro gorilla family

This family is rarely visited because it had been reserved for research.  This family had 20 members but later got split up after the death of the dominant silverback Rukina was struck by lightning. One split group came to be known as Kyaguriro A  headed by Rukara had 10 members, 1 dominant silverback,  2 blackbacks, 3 adults,2 juveniles, and 2 infants. The second group known as Kyaguriro B headed by Mukiza formed the Mukiza family.

Mukiza gorilla family.

This is the gorilla family that broke away from the Kyaguriro group led by dominant silverback Mukiza in May 2016. This group was essentially committed to research by the Manx Plank Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-Evan). The group is currently composed of 13 members 1 dominant silverback, 6 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 2 juveniles, and  3 infants.

Accommodation in the Ruhija sector

Ruhija has eco-friendly lodges that offer the best accommodation to travelers according to their budgets. Most of the lodges and camps are suited in locations that provide panoramic views of the Virunga volcanoes and the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. The accommodations offer the best facilities like self-contained rooms with toilets and showers, dining rooms, wi-fi, and restaurants with both local and international cuisines served by the cleanest and most hospitable attendants.

Some of the accommodations in the area include, Agandi Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Bwindi Trekkers Tervan Cottages, Gift of Nature Lodge, ITFC Camp, Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Eco Marvels Gorilla resort, and so many others.

All in all, the Ruhija sector of Bwindi National Park is worth visiting. For a unique tailored gorilla safari to western Uganda and other parks in Uganda, Active African Vacations will make the best preparations and guidance to different natural habitats for a life memorable experience.

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