Gorilla families in Buhoma sector : One of the four gorilla trekking sectors, Buhoma sector is situated in Kanungu area in the northern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in the southwest of Uganda, is famous for being home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla trekking safari is also possible in south’s Rushaga sector, east’s Ruhija sector, and south’s Nkuringo sector.
Five habituated gorilla families, Mubare, Rushegura, Habinyanja, Muyambi, and Katwe gorilla families, are located in the Buhoma area and are daily accessible for hiking.
Mubare gorilla family.
The oldest gorilla family in Buhoma sector is called Mubare, and in 1993, visitors made their first excursion to visit them. At the time of settlement, Mubare family had 12 members and was headed by Ruhondeza Silverback. Ruhondeza passed away in June 2012 from old age, leaving Kanyonyi as the family’s alpha male. Later, when Kanyonyil had fallen from the tree and suffered injuries, he was unable to defend his family and lost the battle to Malaya Silverback. Mubare gorilla family now numbers nine individuals, including Malaya, the silverback who commands the group, four females named Nyampazi, Karungi, Twesiime, and Buzinza, and four young.
 Habinyanja gorilla family.
Another habituated gorilla family in Buhoma sector is known as Habinyanja. Its name comes from the Rukiga term Nyanja, which implies a location near water. At the time of habituation, Habinyanja gorilla family had 25 members, led by Mugurusi silverback, who died of old age. Conflicts over leadership arose after Mugurusi’s death among the silverbacks Rwansigazi, Mwirima, and Makara. Up until 2002, Rwansigazi and Mwirima shared leadership responsibilities and managed the family. Twelve members, including two silverbacks, two blackbucks, three adult females, three sub-adults, and two juveniles, remained under Rwansigazi’s leadership and continued to go by the name Haninyanja, while others remained under Mwirima and adopted the name Rushegura gorilla family.
Rushegura gorilla family.
In 2002, gorilla family Rushegura in Buhoma sector broke away from the Haninyanja gorilla family. Strong silverback Mwirima silverback led the breakaway from the Habinyanja family, which had seven members at the time. By 2010, the group had grown to 19 individuals, including 2 silverbacks, 3 blackbuck, six adult females, one sub-adult, three adolescents, and four newborns. After Mwirima passed away, the group is now led by a blackbuck, according to gorilla families in the Buhoma sector.
Katwe gorilla family.
 The fourth gorilla family to become habituated in Buhoma sector is the Katwe family. There are 9 people in the Katwe group, including 1 silverback, 4 adult females, 2 blackbucks, and 2 young.
Muyambi gorilla family.
Muyambi gorilla family, which has six individuals, is the newest gorilla group in the Buhoma region and it became accessible for trekking in 2019. Muyambi originally belonged to the Mubare family, the first gorilla family in the Buhoma sector, before the family split off to form its own group.
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector.
 In Buhoma region, gorilla trekking begins very early in the morning with a briefing on the rules and guidelines to adhere during gorilla trekking. After the briefing, you will be divided into groups of eight, with each group being assigned a habituated gorilla family to trek, park rangers, and a knowledgeable park guide who knows the best routes to take to see the gorillas. Because mountain gorillas like to roam from one spot to another in quest of food, trekking with them in the Buhoma region might take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours. You can see other primates like the monkeys, different kinds of plants and trees, and hear lovely bird sounds while during gorilla trekking, and among other things. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be able to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat where you can learn more about their habits, observe them as they go about their daily lives, take pictures, and document the breathtaking moments to share with family and friends once the safari is over.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Buhoma sector.
A gorilla trekking permit in Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens and 700 USD per person for foreign non-residents and 600 USD foreign residents.
Best time to go gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector.
The greatest time to go gorilla trekking safari in Buhoma sector is during the dry season, also known as the peak season, which occurs in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. In comparison to the rainy season, when the routes are muddy and slippery and trekking is challenging, the dry season sees less rainfall in the national park, making access roads and gorilla trekking trails dry and passable.
Where to stay in Buhoma sector.
During your gorilla trekking safari, you can stay at one of the several accommodation options in the Buhoma sector. Among the accommodation options includes Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Engangi Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi, CPTH Gorilla Conservation Camp, and Trackers Safari Lodge.
How to get to Buhoma sector.Â
Buhoma sector, which lies in the northern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is reachable by road; it would take travelers between 8 and 9 hours to travel from Kampala to the Buhoma park headquarters via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale.
You can also get to the Buhoma sector by air. To do so, arrange for regular or charter flights with Bar Aviation or Aero Link Uganda from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip, and then take a road connection to the park headquarters.
Buhoma sector is a must-visit location for life-changing gorilla trekking safari experiences. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Primate Holidays if you have any question or to reserve a gorilla trekking package on our website.