Uncovering Ruhija’s Secrets after Gorilla Trekking
Uncovering Ruhija’s Secrets after Gorilla Trekking: Ruhija Sector is one of the famous sectors located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with over four distinct habituated gorilla families, each headed by a dominant silverback. The four gorilla families found in the Ruhija area of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are the Bitukura, Kyaguriro, Mukiza, and Orugozo families.
A gorilla trekking permit issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority is required in order to trek mountain gorillas in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi. Mountain gorilla trekking is the most popular activity in the Rushaga region, although there are a lot of other things you can do afterward, such as natural exploration and Batwa cultural experiences.
Uncovering Ruhija’s Secrets
Birding in Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
When uncovering Ruhija’s Secrets, get your binoculars, birding checklist, and other necessary supplies before venturing into the thick forest of the Bwindioun Ruhija area. More than 350 bird species, some of which are peculiar to the area, can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Ruhija sector is home to a number of bird species, such as the lovely Francolin, Common Buzzard, Carruther’s Cisticola, Brown-capped Weavers, African pygmy Kingfishers, and African Broadbill.
Other birds include Short-tailed Warbler, African Goshawk, Doherty’s Bush Shrike, Rwenzori Batis, African Shrike Flycatcher, Grey-throated Barbets, Red-chested Flufftail, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, and Dwarf Honeyguide, Ross Turaco, Kivu Ground Thrush, African Sooty Flycatchers, African Paradise Flycatchers, Black Bee-eaters, Blue-headed Sunbirds, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Rwenzori Batis, Grey-crowned Cranes, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, and Snowy-crowned Robin Chat, among others.
Batwa cultural experience in Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park
One of the most popular activities in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, after gorilla trekking, is the Batwa cultural experience. The Batwa people lead the Batwa cultural experience, taking you on a tour of the forest and settlements to demonstrate how they used to hunt animals, produce fires, harvest honey and fruits, and use some of the park’s plants as medicine.
During the Batwa cultural experience, you can participate in traditional dances, hear stories from the past, sample some local cuisine, and watch the Batwa people demonstrate how they killed animals with bows and arrows. Your safari will be unforgettable if you participate in the Batwa cultural experience in Ruhija sector, a thrilling activity that will teach you about their way of life and culture.
Visit Queen Elizabeth national park
The Ruhija sector is next to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second-largest and most popular national park. Following your gorilla trekking in Ruhija Sector, you can have lunch before continuing on to Ishasha Sector and Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which will take roughly three to four hours. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a wide range of activities, including birdwatching, boat excursions on the Kazinga Channel, game drives in the Kasenyi plains, and game drives in Ishasha to see lions that climb trees.
Where to stay in Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
There are several accommodation options in the Ruhija sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, ranging from affordable, mid-range to luxurious ones, so you do not need to worry about accommodation. The Ruhija sector offers a variety of lodging options, including Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Cuckooland Tented Camp, Ruhija campground, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Trekkers Tavern, and Broadbill Forest Camp.
Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for gorilla trekking
The Ruhija sector in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is open throughout the year, but the dry season is the ideal time to go. Uganda’s dry season, which lasts from June to September and December to February, is characterised by low rainfall in the park, making the trekking trails less muddy and less slick, making the walk easier. Some of the aquatic creatures can be located on water sources, the roads leading to the park are passable, and the parks’ vegetation is sparse during the dry season, allowing for clear animal views and excellent photography.
The Rushaga region is also accessible during the rainy season, although it is difficult to see the park’s animals due to the muddy and slick trekking trails, blocked park roads, and dense vegetation. The benefit of trekking mountain gorillas during the rainy season is that lodges offer steep discounts.
Accessing Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for gorilla trekking
When uncovering Ruhija’s secrets, it takes roughly nine to ten hours to travel by road from Kampala/Entebbe to the Ruhija sector in the eastern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which is reached via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale. It takes a couple hours to go reach the park and lodging from Kabale town. Travellers from Rwanda can reach the Ruhija area in around four to five hours by crossing the Katuna Birder border in Kabale or the Chanika border in Kisoro.
Affluent tourists can use air travel to reach the Ruhija area. You will need to let your tour operator know that you would like them to arrange for a chattered flight from Kajjansi or Entebbe airport to Kisoro or Kihihi airport within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park by using this information.
What is the cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?
A gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park costs $800 for non-resident foreigners, $700 for resident foreigners, and Shs250,000 for East Africans. The Uganda Wildlife Authority sells the permits directly, or they can be reserved through a reputable tour operator. It is recommended that you reserve your permit three to four months in advance if you wish to trek mountain gorillas in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in order to minimise any problems.
A gorilla trekking permit for the Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and East Africans pay Shs250,000. The permits can be booked through a trusted tour operator or purchased directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. If you want to trek mountain gorillas in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, you are advised to book your permit in advance of 3-4 months in order to avoid inconveniences.