Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is remarkable one of the 4 only protected areas in the world where mountain gorillas can be tracked. It is located in the southwestern side of Uganda and covers an area of about 331 square kilometers. This park is among a few most stunning tourist sites in Africa with largely a lush natural forest cover, mountain hilly landscape and several incredible wildlife species. About 400 mountain gorillas call this park a home making it an ideal area for gorilla trekking. Currently, approximately 16 gorilla families have been habituated and readily available for visitors to track each day. Unlike other parks, gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park is only done in 4 major trailheads also popularly called sectors/areas/regions and they include among others the following;
Buhoma area
Among the four main trailheads in Bwindi National Park, Buhoma is the oldest region to be opened for gorilla tours and it is from here that the first ever gorilla family was habituated and opened for tourism in 1993. The group is known as Mubare and today, it still remains among the very few most sought after families for this primate adventure. However, a number has increased with other gorilla troops being opened for this lifetime experience including Habinyanja in 1997, Rushegura in 2000 and Katwe the newly established family in the park that was recently opened officially for tourism. For visitors on gorilla safari, overnight stay in this area isn’t a major challenge as it has several safari lodges for you to spend a night after or before gorilla adventures. They include Buhoma lodge, Mahogany Springs Camp, Silverback lodge, Gorilla Resort, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp for luxury travelers, Buhoma community rest camp, Bwindi view Bandas, CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp for budget visitors as well as Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp for midrange visitors. These lodges are strategically situated in and around the park and one can easily connect to Buhoma park headquarters for briefing and for the treks. In addition to gorilla trekking, this region is also ideal for cultural or village walks to the Batwa and Bakiga community, bird watching where you will spot out avifaunal species like the handsome francolin and short tailed warblers and many more; mountain biking which is usually organized by Buhoma community rest camp, nature walks, hiking and there are about six well maintained hiking trails for this lovely adventure.
This region can be best reached from Kampala to Ntungamo to Rukungiri to Kihihi to Buhoma or Kampala to Kabale to Kanungu to Buhoma. The other route takes you from Kampala to Kabale to Ruhija to Buhoma.
Nkuringo region
This is situated in the southern side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and comprises of gorilla families like Nkuringo, Christmas one of the newly opened group for tourism and Bushaho which is mainly for gorilla habituation experience. This sector was founded in 2004 and it is a strenuous sector thus requiring some physical wellness for you to track especially the Nkuringo group. At this region, you can also engage in activities like village walks to Bakiga community where you will be entertained with cultural dance performances. The available accommodation options in this area include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Nkuringo Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp and others.
Ruhija area
This sector lies on the eastern part of Bwindi National Park and it has habituated families likes Bitukura, Kyaguliro, Oruzogo. It stands at altitude of about 250 meters and features the highest hiking trail with Rwamunyonyi being the park’s highest peak standing at 2607 meters. This region can be reached from the southern and northern routes and it is also good for bird watching and it is from this area that you will spot the green broadbill. Besides, you can also embark on local community walks and there are walking trails to the waterfalls. For visitor overnight stay, the available accommodation options include Cuckoo land tented lodge, Ruhija gorilla safari lodge, Ruhija gorilla mist camp, Ruhija gorilla resort, Ruhija gorilla friends resort and camp site and many others.
Rushaga region
This region lies in the southern side of Bwindi National Park and regarded as the gorilla highland due to vast number of its habituated families. About six groups have been habituated and ready for tracking in this sector alone and they include Nshongi, Bweza, Mishaya, Kahungye and Busingye as well as Bikingi which is mainly explored for gorilla habituation experience. The available accommodation options for your overnight stay while on gorilla safari in this area include Nshongi camp, gorilla valley lodge, gorilla safari lodge and others.
Conclusively, given these four major regions in Bwindi National Park, visitors have opportunity to choose the best area to trek gorillas. Each region features its own habituated families which all reward travel endeavors with distinct experiences.