How is Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga sector

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How is Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga sector

Key Highlights of Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga

✅ More Gorilla Families – Rushaga has several habituated groups, increasing permit availability.
✅ Gorilla Habituation Experience – This is one of the few sectors where you can spend 4 hours with gorillas instead of the standard 1-hour trek.
✅ Scenic Views – The sector offers breathtaking views of Bwindi’s rolling hills and lush forests.
✅ Accessibility – It is about 4-5 hours from Kigali (Rwanda) and 8-9 hours from Entebbe/Kampala.

Gorilla Families in Rushaga

Rushaga is home to multiple gorilla families, including:

Mishaya
Kahungye
Bweza
Busingye
Bikyingi (used for habituation)

How to Get There

From Kigali: 4-5 hours via Cyanika or Katuna border.
From Entebbe/Kampala: 8-9 hours by road or a domestic flight to Kisoro Airstrip, then a 1-2 hour drive.

Here’s what you can expect and How is Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga sector:

Scenic Beauty: The Rushaga sector is known for its stunning scenery, with lush green forests and mist-covered hills creating a picturesque backdrop for your trekking adventure.
Diverse Wildlife: While the main attraction is, of course, the mountain gorillas, the Rushaga sector is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including various bird species and primates such as monkeys.
Gorilla Habituation Experience: In Rushaga, visitors have the opportunity to participate in the gorilla habituation experience. This allows you to spend more time that is 4 hours with a gorilla family undergoing habituation, offering a deeper insight into their behavior and social dynamics.
Many Gorilla Trekking Groups. Rushaga sectors has many gorilla groups open for trekking compared to other sectors, some of the habituated families in this region include Busingye, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya and Kahungye which are all available tracking and open to tourists. Also, this is the only region in Bwindi that offers Gorilla Habituation experience with two families currently going through the process.
Challenging Terrain: Gorilla trekking in Rushaga can be physically demanding as it involves hiking through dense forests and steep terrain to reach the gorilla families. Treks can vary in duration and difficulty depending on the location of the gorilla groups.
Conservation Efforts: Your gorilla trekking permit fees contribute directly to the conservation of these magnificent animals and their habitats. The revenue generated from tourism helps fund anti-poaching efforts, community development projects, and conservation initiatives aimed at protecting the mountain gorillas.
Guided Experience: Trekking in Rushaga is always accompanied by experienced guides and trackers who are knowledgeable about the area and can ensure the safety of both visitors and gorillas.
Limited Group Size: To minimize disturbance to the gorillas and their habitat, gorilla trekking groups are limited in size. This also ensures a more intimate and immersive experience for visitors.
Permit Requirements: Gorilla trekking permits are required for all visitors, and it’s advisable to book well in advance as permits are limited and can sell out quickly, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Overall, gorilla trekking in the Rushaga sector offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter the mountain gorillas up close in their natural environment while contributing to their conservation. It’s an unforgettable experience for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

About Rushaga sector

Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rushaga is a home to more than 5 Gorilla Families which by far is the most of any sector and its gorilla families being easy to trek due to the nature of terrine in the region. Rushaga can be easily accessed through Kisoro and becomes a straightforward tracking point for those traveling from Kigali. The sector, also like Buhoma and Ruhija sectors, offers a chance of the Batwa community visit experience for those interested in cultural encounters.

Important things to consider when planning gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector

Booking your gorilla permits in advance for tracking in Rushaga sector

When organizing Rushaga gorilla trekking we recommend you book your gorilla permits at least one-month prior your gorilla safari date. Even though during this time permits tend to be available some dates still sell out especially tourists travelling in big groups who at times buy in bulk. So it is always better to secure your trekking spot in Rushaga in advance to avoid inconveniences. You need a gorilla permits to be allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Rushaga, this costs USD800 for Foreign nonresidents, USD700 for Foreign residents and 300,000 Uganda Shillings for East Africa Citizens and this gives an opportunity to spend one-hour encounter with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi.

Staying budget lodges in Rushaga sector

This is very important to consider when planning a budget gorilla safari to Rushaga during low season, for you to have a great experience and comfort during your safari we recommend you to stay in safe and easily accessible budget lodges in Rushaga. Rushaga has budget lodge options for you to choose where to stay including Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Kaurngi Camp, Nshongi Camp and Rushaga Gorilla Camp Standard room and Camping grounds among others. All these lodges have three meal plans when you book your safari with Eco Adventure Safaris, u a guaranteed a full board meal basis.

Comfortable travel to Rushaga sector Bwindi

You should consider travelling in 4×4 safari van as a budget option for transportation to Rushaga, this will give you comfort on the road to Rushaga. Depending on your budget there is also an option of flying cheap flight with Aerolink to Kisoro Airstrip which is close to Rushaga; this will help cut the long drive from Entebbe/Kampala which is normally 8-9 hours drives to only 2 hour drive that you spend from Kisoro to your lodge in Rushaga.

What to wear during Rushaga gorilla trekking?

You might be probably wondering what to wear for your trek, below is a compiled list on what to wear;

A long armed sweater since the park gets cold
2 pairs of long trousers
Water proof hiking boots
A hat and sun glasses depending on the weather though this is optional
Cameras and long lasting batteries since photography are very important to keep your memories alive. Always remember to keep our flash off.
A pair of Binoculars. This will help you to see the vast birds Bwindi impenetrable forest has among other primates
Gardening Gloves; these will help you when you a holding onto trees are branches through the trek.
A rain coat; Since Bwindi impenetrable forest is rainforest, the rain is unpredictable so to be on a safer side, you will be required to carry along a coat.
A mosquito Repellent; since it is a forest, it has different dangerous insects so its advisable to carry it along or wear it
A sun screen; Well this is optional but depending on the season, it might get too hot and you end up getting sun burns on your skin so to avoid that, you will need a sun screen.
You should not wear very bright colors since this will charge or scare away the gorillas.
Black and Blue colors are also not recommended since they attract Tsetse flies So I would recommend neutral colors.

How to get Rushaga Sector for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

By Air: You can get to Rushaga by air which is faster and less tiresome. Aero link is a domestic airline offering both schedule and charter flights to Kisoro Airstrip from where you connect to Rushaga. There is no direct flight to Rushaga but you can be dropped off to Kisoro where you will be picked up by our professional guide and dropped at your lodge. The drive time from Kisoro to a nearby lodge in Rushaga is approximately 2 hours. Passengers are always required to check in 90minutes before the scheduled departure time on you flight. It is also important to note that aero links baggage is 15kilograms per person and an excess is charged at 3usd per kilo. There also private charters available for client’s that have different timing requirements and different routings too. You might also want to travel with your kids which are free for an infant below 2years old. Children above 12years are carried at 70% of the adults fare.

By Road: Rushaga can be accessed through the main high-way road from Entebbe/Kampala which is approximately 8-9 hours drive. You will pass through Kabale town and proceed to Rushaga. The Park can also be accessed from Kigali, Rwanda which is approximately 4-5 hours drive.

Best time to plan Gorilla trekking in Bwindi starting from Rushaga.

Rushaga located in Bwindi, is an impenetrable forest is open for trekking all year round but it is also important to note that the forest is a tropical rain forest and can receive rain at any time. The best months to track gorillas include; June to August and December to February since they receive the lowest rainfall and the forest is less slippery. On the other hand, when you happen to travel during March to May and November there are chances of higher rainfall, you will be able to get discounts from some lodges for your accommodation.

Why book gorilla trekking in Rushaga with Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris takes pride in customizing tailor-made safaris. It has a very diligent and trust worthy team. Your queries are answered within 30 minutes by our team of professional tour consultants. These consultants will make you a travel plan for you, answer to all your questions and make sure all your services are booked in advance for you to avoid inconveniences. We also have very knowledgeable safari guides depending on your language preferences. Feel free to contact us here about how is Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga sector.