Gorilla Trekking Trailheads : The four routes used to access the gorilla-habituated families, Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, each trail boasts its own families and requires a certain fitness level.
Each trailhead is a takeoff point to track the 11 different gorilla family groups. Typically, the starting trekking time is 7 am. Sometimes, it takes about 6 hours to locate the gorillas. Some other days may even take 3-4 hours. This entirely depends on where they were last night, and usually, you will spend an hour with gorillas, and the number of people is limited to eight per group. This is to ensure the safety of both apes and humans.
Gorilla Trekking Trailheads : Buhoma Trail;
It all began here in 1993; the headquarters of the Bwindi National Park was built here. If you’re approaching the park from the northern side, then this is the place to stay; around the Buhoma, there’s a gorilla family known as Rushegura, and due to the area boasting a more significant number of lodgings, you are likely to see the apes easily.
Gorilla Trekking Trailheads : Ruhija Trail
It was just opened in 2008, one of the best routes for gorilla trekking in Uganda wildlife safari, and sits 2340 meters above sea level. There are three groups of gorillas in Ruhija, and those staying at Buhoma can now use the Ruhija trail since Ruhija is 46 kilometers away from Buhoma.
Most travelers find it best to stay at Buhoma Trail because it offers the best safari lodges and hotels.
Ruhija is the only trail offering other wild animals, such as elephants and antelopes. If you’re a bird lover, you can hike up to the peak of Rwamunyonyi, 2,600 meters, where hundreds of birds reside. There are three available habituated gorilla families in Ruhija.
The Closest National Park to Ruhija is Queen Elizabeth National Park, making it easy to combine gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in a single Uganda safari tour itinerary.
Gorilla Trekking Trailheads : Rushaga
You can approach the park from the southern zone via the Rushaga trail; there are a few trekking permits via Rushaga, around six a day for habituation trek and forty for regular gorilla trekking. The route is less challenging yet offers a panoramic view of the mountain. The trekkers staying in Nkuringo can still access accommodations in Rushaga or Kisoro.
Gorilla Trekking Trailheads : Nkuringo
Nkuringo is one of the most complex sectors of the four; it approaches the mountain from the south of Bwindi and is situated at a height of 2,100 m at the edge of the Nteko Plateau. On this trail, famous Nkuringo gorilla groups roam around the Kashasha River.
Nkuringo trail offers an epic view of the surroundings and the entire natural vegetation of Bwindi National Park. The trekkers who prefer to track the gorilla via this route enjoy the authentic Ugandan safari experiences and learn the rich cultures of the nearest local people of Batwa.
