Organizing a Luxury Gorilla Trip to Buhoma During High Season

Organizing a Luxury Gorilla Trip to Buhoma During High Season

Are you dreaming of a luxury gorilla trip to Buhoma during the high season? Trek Africa Expeditions can make that dream a reality! We excel in securing gorilla permits, even when demand is high between June and September. During this peak travel season, many visitors flock to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, making it challenging to find available permits and accommodations. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!

Discovering Buhoma Sector

Buhoma is nestled in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and holds the distinction of being the first sector where gorilla tracking began. The Mubare gorilla family was habituated here in 1993, shortly after the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Buhoma is one of the most famous and visited areas in the park, home to the Mubare family and three other groups: Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Katwe.

This sector attracts many visitors not only for its rich history but also because it boasts the only two lodges within the Bwindi forest: Gorilla Sanctuary Forest Camp and Bwindi Lodge. These accommodations provide a stunning experience during your gorilla trek. Buhoma’s reputation for gorilla trekking makes it a popular choice, and its numerous gorilla families (second only to the Rushaga sector) means that securing a gorilla permit is often easier here.

Gorilla Families in Buhoma Sector

Mubare Gorilla Family

The Mubare family is the oldest group in Bwindi, having been habituated in 1993 when tourism first began in the area. The group’s name comes from the Mubare Hills, where it was first spotted. Initially consisting of 12 members led by the silverback Ruhondeza, the family faced challenges that reduced its numbers to just five. Following Ruhondeza’s passing at over 50 years old, a new silverback named Kanyonyi took over leadership, and the family has since grown to nine members.

Habinyanja Gorilla Family

Habinyanja was habituated in 1997 and began tracking in 1999. The name “Habinyanja” is derived from the Rukiga word for “water place,” as the group was first seen near a swamp pond. Initially led by the silverback Mugurusi, the group later transitioned to two brothers, Mwirima and Rwansigazi. Currently led by silverback Makara, the family has expanded to 17 members, including 9 adults, 5 infants, and 3 juveniles. This group is one of the easiest to track, requiring just a 45-minute drive from the starting point at Nyamishaba village.

Rushegura Gorilla Family

The Rushegura family split from Habinyanja and was opened for tracking in 2002. Led by the strong silverback Mwirima, this group originally consisted of eight members. Today, it has grown to 19 members and frequently traverses the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This family is also easily accessible, with treks starting just 15 minutes from the park headquarters.

Katwe Gorilla Group

The Katwe group is the newest addition to Buhoma, taking three years to fully habituate before it was ready for visitor tracking. Currently, this group consists of one dominant silverback, four females, and two babies, although the total number of members can fluctuate. Established in 2018, the creation of the Katwe group aimed to increase the number of available gorilla permits per day, thereby boosting revenue for the region.

Essential Tips for Organizing a Luxury Gorilla Trip to Buhoma During High Season

Book Your Gorilla Permits in Advance

When planning your luxury gorilla safari to Buhoma, it’s crucial to secure your gorilla permits at least 3 to 4 months before your travel date. During the high season, which runs from June to September, permits can sell out quickly on a first-come, first-served basis. To trek mountain gorillas in Buhoma, you’ll need a permit, which costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and 300,000 Uganda Shillings for East African citizens. This permit allows you to spend an unforgettable hour in the presence of these magnificent creatures. For more information on how to book your gorilla permits, feel free to reach out to us.

Choose Luxury Accommodation

Selecting the right accommodation is key to enhancing your gorilla safari experience. Buhoma offers several luxury lodges that provide exceptional comfort and amenities. Notable options include the two lodges located within the Bwindi Forest: Bwindi Lodge and Gorilla Sanctuary Forest Camp. Other luxurious choices in the Buhoma region include Mahogany Springs and Silverback Lodge. When you book your safari with Trek Africa Expeditions, you’ll enjoy full-board meal plans at these lodges, ensuring a delightful culinary experience.

Travel Comfortably to Buhoma

To ensure a smooth journey to Buhoma, consider traveling in a comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser. This will provide a more enjoyable ride on the road. Alternatively, you can opt for a quicker and less strenuous option by flying to Kihihi Airstrip, which is conveniently close to Buhoma. This flight cuts down the lengthy 8-9 hour drive from Entebbe or Kampala to just an hour from Kihihi to your lodge.

What to Wear During Gorilla Trekking

Wondering what to wear for your trek? Here’s a handy list:

• Long-sleeved sweater: The temperature can drop in the forest.
• Two pairs of long trousers: Comfortable and durable options are best.
• Waterproof hiking boots: Essential for navigating the wet terrain.
• Hat and sunglasses: Useful depending on the weather.
• Camera with long-lasting batteries: Capture your memories, but remember to keep the flash off.
• Binoculars: Great for spotting birds and other wildlife in the forest.
• Gardening gloves: Helpful for holding onto trees and branches while trekking.
• Raincoat: Since Bwindi is a rainforest, rain can be unpredictable.
• Mosquito repellent: Protect yourself from insects.
• Sunscreen: Consider wearing this to avoid sunburn, especially if it gets hot.

Avoid bright colors, as they can startle the gorillas, and steer clear of black and blue, which can attract tsetse flies. Neutral colors are your best bet.

Getting to Buhoma for Gorilla Trekking

• By Air: The fastest way to reach Buhoma is by flying with Aero Link, which offers both scheduled and charter flights to Kihihi Airstrip. From there, you’ll be picked up and driven to your lodge, which takes about an hour. Please note that passengers must check in 90 minutes before departure, and the baggage limit is 15 kilograms per person (excess baggage incurs a fee of USD 3 per kilo). Children under two years fly free, while those over 12 pay 70% of the adult fare.
• By Road: If you prefer to travel by road, you can take the main highway from Entebbe/Kampala, which takes approximately 8-9 hours. The park is also accessible from Kigali, Rwanda, with a drive time of about 4-5 hours.

Best Time to Organize Your Luxury Gorilla Trip to Buhoma

Buhoma is open for trekking year-round, but the best months for gorilla tracking are June to August and December to February. During these months, the rainfall is generally lower, making the trails less slippery. If you travel from March to May or November, you may encounter heavier rain but could also find discounts at some lodges.

Why Book Your Luxury Gorilla Trip with Trek Africa Expeditions

Trek Africa Expeditions is a responsible local tour operator based in Uganda, dedicated to customizing tailor-made safaris to meet your preferences. Our diligent team prides itself on providing prompt responses to your inquiries, typically within 20 minutes. We will work with you to create a detailed travel plan, answer all your questions, and ensure all services are booked well in advance to avoid any inconveniences. Our knowledgeable safari guides cater to your language preferences, enhancing your experience.

We offer various luxury gorilla safari packages, including 2-day, 3-day, and 4-day gorilla fly-in safaris, all tailored to your preferences. Contact us today to start organizing your unforgettable luxury gorilla trip to Buhoma during high season!