Gorilla Trekking in Ruhija Sector of Bwindi 

Gorilla Trekking in Ruhija, Gorilla Trekking is the most thrilling wildlife activity that involves taking a walk in the lush rainforest in order to have a sight of the gentle giants the mountain gorillas. Bwindi is found in the southwestern parts of Uganda. The park is well known for having half of the mountain gorilla population and the most biodiverse rain forest in the world.  It’s made up of four sectors that is Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija sector. Ruhija is among the top tourist destination for gorilla trekking in a Uganda and it’s found in the eastern parts of the park. This trail is the best for visitors who are interested in a more peaceful and less crowded trekking experience. However, the trail is more rugged and remote compared to Buhoma trail. Ruhija is well known for offering visitors a more peaceful experience since it’s less crowded compared to Buhoma and Rushaga which are more crowded with people. Ruhija is a great option for those seeking a more secluded, serene trip with less tourists. Due to this visitors are ensured of a personal encounter with the gentle giants the mountain gorillas. Ruhija’s peaceful environment allows visitors to bond with the nature and the surrounding of Bwindi’s enchantment without being distracted by big crowds.

Gorilla trekking in Ruhija

Gorilla trekking is the major activity done in Ruhija and it involves trekking through a dense rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas. Ruhija is home to a number of gorilla families that is Oruzogo, Bitukura, Mukiza and Kyaguriro family. All these families have unique characters and size. Oruzogo family is most of the time regarded as one of the biggest and most tranquil. The group offers excellent possibilities to observe social interactions, particularly between the youngsters and their moms, and usually travels in bigger family units. Kyaguliro family is a small group, they are fairly laid back with hikers. Bitukura family is known for being lively and is frequently more fun and gregarious, which can provide for great trek experiences. Since Ruhija is less crowded there is a great chance of having a peaceful interaction with the gorillas. This makes it possible to have a closer view of the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking experience in Ruhija

You will wake up very early in the and head to the park headquarters where you receive briefing on how to conduct yourself around the gorillas. When briefing is done, you be given a guide and armed ranger to start your trek. The time taken to find the mountain gorillas depends on their movement. On your trek you will have a chance to see a number of bird species, primates and a variety of plant species. Once you find the mountain gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them. During this time, you will have a chance to take photos of the gorillas eating, breastfeeding and grooming each other. After the trek you will head back to the park headquarters where you will be given a certificate.

Apart from gorilla trekking there are also other activities to do in Ruhija.

Nature walks

Nature walks are among the many things to do in Ruhija after gorilla trekking. One can take part in a guided walk that is commonly referred to as a nature walk with trails like the Mubwindi swamp and the Bamboo trail. The walk is usually 3-6 hours, during this time you will take in breathtaking views of the magical Bwindi impenetrable forest, Virunga mountains and lake Bunyonyi. You also get a chance to see different animals, bird’s species, butterflies and primates. The Mubwindi swamp experience takes you through the ridge, as you descend into the swamp where you will encounter a lot of bird species like the African Green Broadbill, Dusky Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Batis, and Great Blue Turaco among others. The Bamboo Forest Walk which takes you through the bamboo on Ruhija ridge, a stunning view of lake Bunyonyi, still on this trail you can see different primate species like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus.

Batwa cultural experience

The Batwa are a group of indigenous people found in East Africa’s Great Lakes region, The Batwa, are also called pygmies who were once hunter and gatherers who lived in the woodlands. They have historically lived in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, where they have strong cultural and spiritual ties to the forest and depend on it for sustenance. During Batwa cultural experience, you will have a chance to learn about the lifestyle of the Batwa such as hunting and gathering. You can also visit the medicine men, attend their story telling sessions and traditional performance.

 Bird watching

Ruhija is home to over 350 different bird species that is the forest birds, migratory birds and Albertine rift endemics like dusky crimson, yellow eyed black fly Cather, starred robin, grey bush shrike, African green broadbill, Carruthers cisticola, cinnamon chested bee eater, red chested flufftail, dwarf honey, yellow streaked greenbul common buzzard, blue headed sunbird, purple breasted sunbird, archers robin chat, Rwenzori turaco, ross’s turaco, helmeted guinea fowl, African paradise flycatcher, handsome francolin, brown capped weaver among others. Birds are found in the Mubwindi swamp and along the Bamboo trail plus the Ruhija hill. During this experience you will have a well-trained and knowledgeable guide who will lead your bird watching walk through the forest.

Community tours

After gorilla trekking, the Ruhija area offers another thrilling activity community tours. You will have the opportunity to engage with the locals in the surrounding communities, learn about their history, culture, and way of life, visit their farmlands and homesteads, visit craft stores that sell handcrafted goods like baskets, beads, bags, and sandals, discover more about the local projects, take in traditional entertainment and elder storytelling, and sample local cuisine, among other things, during the community tour.

Best time to visit Ruhija

The best time to visit Ruhija in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for all the activities mentioned above is during the dry season that is the months of June to August and December to February. Since in this time the weather is more comfortable, the trails are less muddy, and it provides better visibility. However, you can also visit Ruhija in the wet season in the months of March to May and November. This time is the greatest for bird watching because it’s the breeding period for the birds.

How to get to Ruhija

There are to ways to get to Ruhija that is by road and air.

Via Road

By road transportation, you may reach Ruhija, which is situated in the eastern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It takes around eight to nine hours to drive from Kampala to the park headquarters via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale.

Through Rwanda by road
You can also travel from Kigali in Rwanda, to Ruhija. To get there, you must fly to Kigali International Airport and then drive over the Katuna border near Kabale, which takes roughly three to four hours.

By Air

The Ruhija sector can also be reached by air. Travelers can reserve scheduled or charter flights with Bar Aviation or Aero Link Uganda from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airstrip and then take a road connection to Ruhija Sector.

Where to stay in Ruhija sector

Luxury accommodation

• Ruhija Safari Lodge
• Agandi Uganda Eco‑Lodge
• Bakiga Lodge

Mid-Range accommodation

• Gorilla Mist Camp
• Broadbill Forest Camp
• Trekkers Tavern Cottages

Budget accommodation

• Ruhija Community Rest Camp
• Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort & Campsite
• Gift of Nature Lodge