Rushaga sector Bwindi

Rushaga sector is among the sectors where gorilla trekking is carried out during tours to Bwindi national park.

Bwindi national park is located in the south western part of Uganda and it is popular for gorilla trekking which is done in different sectors including Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector, Buhoma sector and Ruhija sector.

The gorilla families in Rushaga sector are 5 and they include Nshongi, Kahungye, Mishaya, Busingye and Bweza. Rushaga is also a popular trekking sector in Bwindi national park and its permits tend to get sold out.

The Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi national park. It is said to be the gorilla trekking sector with the highest number of gorillas and also offers amazing views including the terraced Kisoro hills.

Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi, Nkuringo sector is in the southern part of Bwindi and Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi national park.

Gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector in Bwindi national park costs 700 USD for foreign nonresidents, 600 USD for foreign residents and 250,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans. This fee is inclusive of guide fees, park entrance fees and also a contribution for the community development.

Booking of gorilla permits for Rushaga sector in Bwindi national park is recommended to be done in advance due to the high demand for these permits. The gorilla permits for Bwindi national park can be purchased through a licensed tour operator.

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) issues out the gorilla permits for the different sectors in Bwindi national park. UWA also manages other national parks in Uganda which are visited by tourists during the year.

To prepare for a successful trip to Rushaga sector in Bwindi national park, some of the items to pack include hiking boots, waterproof jackets, long sleeved clothing, hat and sunglasses, socks, snacks, camera among others.

A typical gorilla trek in Bwindi national park starts with briefing at the park headquarters, grouping of tourists and after ranger guides are assigned, tourists can trek into the Bwindi impenetrable forest to begin their search for the gorillas. An amount of 1 hour is spent with the gorillas in Rushaga sector during gorilla trekking.

Gorilla habituation in Rushaga

Rushaga sector is also the only sector in Bwindi national park where gorilla habituation is carried out in Uganda.

Gorilla habituation refers to the process of introducing gorillas to the presence of humans in their natural habitat. This activity also involves researching more about the gorillas for purposes of conservation. It also makes it easier to observe and understand the behavior of the gorillas and protect them.

An amount of 4 hours is spent with the gorillas during the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi national park. The process of gorilla habituation in Rushaga sector is similar to that of gorilla trekking with the exception of the time spent with the gorillas. Rangers and conservationists also take part in the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi.

Cost of gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park is also higher compared to gorilla trekking. A permit for gorilla habituation in Rushaga costs 1500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 1000 USD for foreign residents and 750,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.

Apart from seeing gorillas in Rushaga sector, there is a lot more to do around Bwindi national park including community tours which involve interaction with the locals and engaging in various activities. Birding and nature walks can also be done in Bwindi national park during tours.

Best time to visit Bwindi national park

Bwindi national park is home to half the population of mountain gorillas in the world which can be seen in the different sectors of the national park including Rushaga sector.

All year-round tourists can visit Bwindi national park to engage in the different activities. The two dry seasons during the year from June to October and also in December, January and February are however considered the best time to visit Bwindi national park.

Rain is received around March, April and May and also in November and tourists avoid these months due to the slippery trails. The rainy season is however considered a good time for photography in Bwindi national park.

Where to stay in Rushaga sector in Bwindi national park

There are many options of where to stay during a gorilla trekking experience or habituation experience in Rushaga sector in Bwindi national park. These accommodations include luxury, midrange and budget accommodations.

Lodges to stay at around Rushaga sector include Four gorillas lodge, Rushaga gorilla camp, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Rushaga haven lodge, Gorilla safari lodge, Chameleon hill lodge and many others.

How to get to Rushaga sector

There are different ways to get to Rushaga sector during a trip to Bwindi national park and they include flight and also driving.

By flight, tourists can get flights from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airport and from there transfer to their lodge in Rushaga sector.

By road the drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Rushaga sector takes about 9 hours via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route. Stops can be made along the way to cut on the long drive to Bwindi national park.

Visit Bwindi national park and enjoy an exciting gorilla adventure during a tour around Rushaga sector.

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