Ruhija sector is one of the four regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. The other half lives in the Virunga Mountains, which stretch across the Virunga Conservation Area.
Bwindi is divided into four sectors: Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Tourists can trek gorillas in any of these sectors. The price for a gorilla permit is the same across all areas—$800 per person.
Gorilla Groups in the Ruhija Sector
The Ruhija sector has several habituated gorilla families that are open for trekking. Some of these include:
- Bitukura Gorilla Family: This group was habituated in just 15 months, much faster than the usual two years. The family is led by Ndahura, the second-youngest silverback, even though there are four other silverbacks, two of whom are older than him. The group was first seen in 2007 near the Bitukura River. They are known to have a close connection with the Kyaguriro family. The oldest female left to join the Kyaguriro group. Bitukura is one of the most playful groups and is enjoyable to visit.
- Oruzogo Gorilla Family: The name “Oruzogo” comes from a plant species found near the group’s home range. Although this family is located in the Ruhija sector, it can also be accessed from the Buhoma sector. The group was formed in 2011 with 25 members, including two silverbacks. In 2013, a female named Kankonba gave birth to twins, making this group even more special. The family is led by the silverback Tibirikwata and is known for having many young and active gorillas.
- Kyaguriro Gorilla Family: The Kyaguriro group was habituated in 1999 and was mainly used for research by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. The first leader was Zeus, an old silverback who was pushed out by a younger silverback, Rukina. Zeus later died in the wild, and Rukina led the group until he passed away in 2015. Leadership then passed to Rukara, who leads the group today. This family continues to help researchers learn more about mountain gorillas.
Where to Stay in Ruhija Sector
Choosing the right place to stay is very important. Tourists should sleep in lodges that are located in or near the sector where they plan to trek. In the Ruhija sector, some accommodation options include Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija Gorilla Resort, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Bakiga Lodge, and Ruhija Community Rest Camp.
Best Time to Visit Ruhija Sector
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is open all year round, but the best months to visit are June to August and December to February, when the weather is usually dry.
You can reach Bwindi by road in 9–10 hours from Kampala or 4–5 hours from Kigali. Alternatively, you can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrips, which are closer to the park.
