Things to do/Activities in Buhoma Uganda Gorilla Sector

Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector is one of the most visited regions in Bwindi National Park, Southwestern Uganda. Set in the Northern region of Bwindi, Buhoma hosts 4 gorilla families making it one looked-for area for mountain gorilla trekking. Other than Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also consists of 3 additional gorilla regions; Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija. While on Uganda safaris in Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector, expect to engage in a number of most exciting activities or experiences including among others;

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma Sector

Gorilla trekking is incredibly the most sought-after experience by most holidaymakers on Uganda safaris in the Buhoma region. This is an exceptional activity and one of a kind that lets you strike your imaginations with a group of habituated gorilla families while in their natural habitat. On a gorilla trek, visitors have a complete 1 hour to enjoy face to face with a gorilla family group once its members have been found.

Trekking mountain gorillas in the Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector is only possible in the area’s 4 habituated gorilla families. These include Mubare group, Uganda’s oldest habituated gorilla group to officially open for trekking. Its habituation process started way back in 1991 when Bwindi was officially gazetted as a national park and it was opened for gorilla tourism in 1993. The other 3 gorilla families include Rushegura, Habinyanja, and Katwe.
The 4 gorilla families in the Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector represent 32 gorilla permits for trekkers to book, each of these can be purchased at $700 for non-resident visitors, $600 for foreign residents, and shs. 250,000 if you are a Ugandan citizen or East Africa Community citizen. In addition to carrying a valid gorilla permit for your gorilla trekking experience in Buhoma, it is also essential to have a good camera with no flashlight, long-sleeved shirts, waterproof hiking boots, daypack-waterproof, medical kit/first aid kit, rain jacket/poncho, gardening gloves, toiletries, visas, passport, insect repellents.

Forest walk/hiking/nature walk in Buhoma

No better way to explore and experience Bwindi’s beauty and hidden treasures than embarking on a forest walk/nature walk/hiking in any of Buhoma’s trails. The significant trails for holidaymakers to engage in while on tour in the Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector include; waterfall trail, Munyanga river trail, Rushura trail, Muzubijiro loop, Buhoma village tourist walk.

Birding in Buhoma Sector

Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector isn’t only one of Bwindi’s remarkable gorilla trekking region but also one incredible place to embark on bird watching. The region is blessed with significant birding spots or trails including Buhoma waterfall, Bamboo zone, and Mubwindi swamp of Nkuringo. While on bird watching tour in Buhoma Uganda gorilla region, the interesting bird species to sight for include African goshawk, Yellow-fronted Canary, Jameson’s anti pecker, red-headed bluebill, Ruwenzori batis, barred long-tailed cuckoo, short-tailed warblers, blue-headed sunbird, great blue turacos, African blue flycatcher, dusky twin spot.

Batwa trail experience in Buhoma

The Batwa trail experience takes holidaymakers through the Batwa community around Buhoma. This is a remarkable opportunity for visitors to have a close interaction with the Batwa pygmies, learn how they behave, their ancient techniques for hunting and gathering, get the best of their dances, music performances, interesting stories as told by elders.

Cycling/Biking in Buhoma

Cycling/biking makes up the list of interesting things holidaymakers can choose to engage in while in Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector. This is run by Ride 4 a Woman, a local community initiative organized by Buhoma Community Rest Camp.

When to travel to Buhoma Uganda Sector

The best time to travel to the Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector is during the dry season although it is possible to arrange a tour to this sector at any month or any time of the year. The drier months in Buhoma begin from June to September (the longest drier months of the year) and or travel from December till February (the shortest drier months). These are the most favorite months to travel for gorilla trekking, hiking and bird watching is ideal during the wet months of the year because it is during these months when some unique migratory birds can also be sighted. They occur twice a year with the first phase recorded from April to May or October to November.

Places to stay in Buhoma Sector

The top lodging options in and around Buhoma sector include Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Silverback Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Silverback Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, and others.

Getting to Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector

Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector is accessible by road or by air. By road, visitors can take the Entebbe/Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara to Butogota route then reach to Buhoma area within 8-9 hours’ drive. If you are to drive from Kigali, you can access Uganda via the Katuna border or Chanika then connect to Buhoma-this is 3-4 hours drive. In case of holidaymakers on game safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Buhoma Uganda gorilla sector is about 3 hours’ drive.
By air; flights can be arranged from Entebbe International Airport/Kajjansi airfield up to Kihihi airstrip. It is from Kihihi where you can be transferred to a lodge around the Buhoma sector on the northern side of Bwindi National Park.