Overview
This is one of the most famous activities done in Rushaga sector. Gorilla habituation and gorilla trekking are a bit similar, the resemblance is uncanny. However; gorilla habituation is when a group of wild gorillas is trained to get used to human sight. This process of gorilla habituation takes about 2 to 3 years completing the habituation process. You will get a chance to spend about 4 hours with the habituated gorillas. Watching these magnificent giants as they continue to go about their daily lives feeding and interacting with each other under the watchful gaze of the mighty silverback will give you sudden gaiety.
Gorilla habituation
In the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable forest in Rushaga sector, gorilla habituation takes place with the highest number of habituated gorilla families open for your experience. Since it’s only two habituated gorilla families open for trekking in Rushaga, this means that there are only 8 gorilla permits available for habituation. Those who have shared such a beautiful and amazing experience of spending 4 hours with the gorillas in their habitant, taking photos and researching about them agree that this experience is magical. Note that gorilla habituation allows just four visitors per group where you spend four hours with them. However, there are a number of activities that you can do after trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest.
Guided walks
You can still engage in nature guided walks in Bwindi impenetrable forest after your gorilla habituation experience. These walks will allow you have the best of Bwindi forest when you take a tour of different historical sites, lakes and tree species. Lake Bunyonyi is famous for its wondrous islands which are 29 in total, hear all about the islands as you go canoeing on Lake Mutanda.
Birding
Bird lovers in Bwindi national park have got a chance to identify over 400 bird species especially in Rushaga region. Visitors should come along with bird watching equipment and a guide book to guide you as you watch numerous bird species in the area like;
- banded prinia
- white headed woodchopper
- blue throated roller
- greenbuls
- dwarf honey guides
- augur buzzard
Community encounters
Bwindi forest being that it was once a home of the primitive Batwa people brings these people close to the forest. Hear stories about the Batwa and their survival in the forest and out of the forest, songs and cultural dance of the Batwa and the Bakiga. Learn how they lived, harvested bee honey and made fire in their traditional ways. You can also reach out to the community schools teaching children and supporting them through donations which is highly valuable.
Wildlife viewing
Besides mountain gorillas, there are other wildlife animals in Bwindi national park where a tourist can engage in viewing them. Bwindi impenetrable national park has a number of animals like;
- elephants
- duikers
- cheetah
- lions
- leopards
- buffaloes
- golden cats
- civet
- clawless otter
The park is also a sanctuary for monkeys and chimpanzees which tourists can trek. There are about 11 primate species of monkeys in Bwindi which are available for tracking like blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and other primates lie baboons and chimpanzees.
The best time to do gorilla habituation in Rushaga
Visitors wishing to go for gorilla habituation in Rushaga can use the best months of June to September for this experience. These months have less rainfall and this makes the trails within the park accessible for visitors doing gorilla habituation, birding and other activities available in this park.
Accommodation
The sector ha go various lodges where you can stay based on your budget. Accommodation facilities here range from mid-range to luxurious accommodation facilities; Rushanga gorilla camp, Rushanga gorilla havens lodge, gorilla heights, Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, and four gorilla lodge among others.
Getting to Rushaga sector
The sector can be accessed both by air and road.
By road
It is an 8-9 hour drive to the sector along Kampala via Mbarara city, Kabale to Rushaga gorilla sector. You will have a chance to see through different farms, long horned cattle, equator in Uganda. It can also be accessed from Kigali which is just a 4 hour’s drive to Rushaga through Cyanika or Katuna boarder.
By air
Kajjansi air strip has scheduled and chattered flights to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrips using aero link and fly Uganda airlines. These are quicker and comfortable for those who cannot sit for long, those on luxury safaris and many more.
Pamoja tours and travel company is here to provide all the best services to you when we plan, book and guide you in any way we can to ensure customer satisfaction. We can help you plan for the best gorilla habituation trip, book your permits and advise you.
