Buhoma sector was the first part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to be visited by tourists for gorilla trekking. It is also home to the oldest gorilla family in the park.
Buhoma is located in the northwestern part of the park.
Gorilla Groups in Buhoma Sector
Mubare Gorilla Family
The Mubare gorilla family was the first group to be habituated in Bwindi in 1991. It was opened to tourists in 1993. The name “Mubare” comes from the Mubare hills, where the group was first seen.
At the time of habituation, the group was led by a silverback named Ruhondeza and had 12 members. Later, it grew to 18 members. However, due to fights with other groups, it lost many members, including Ruhondeza. At one point, only 5 members were left. In 2013, four more gorillas joined, making a total of 9 members, with one silverback.
Habinyanja Gorilla Family
The Habinyanja family was habituated in 1997 and received its first tourists in 1999. The name comes from the local word “Nyanja,” which means a place with water, because the group was first seen in a swampy area of the park.
During habituation, the group was led by a silverback named Mugurisi. After he died, his sons Mwirima and Rwansigazi shared leadership. However, they had different habits—Mwirima liked staying in one place, while Rwansigazi liked to move around a lot.
In 2002, the two brothers split the group without any fighting. The gorillas that stayed with Rwansigazi kept the name Habinyanja. Mwirima formed a new group with some members and called it the Rushegura gorilla family. Today, the Habinyanja family is led by a silverback named Makara, which means “charcoal” in the local language.
Rushegura Gorilla Family
The Rushegura family was formed after breaking away from the Habinyanja group. Originally, both groups were led by Mugurisi. After his death, leadership was shared between his sons Mwirima and Rwansigazi.
Because of their different habits—Rwansigazi being adventurous and Mwirima preferring to stay close—the group split in 2002. Mwirima took some members and started the Rushegura family.
When it was formed, the Rushegura group had only 7 members, but today it has grown to about 20 members.
Community & Village Walks in Buhoma Sector
Tourists visiting the Buhoma sector can take part in community walks to learn about local life. One of the key groups is the Batwa people, who once lived in the forest with the gorillas for over 500,000 years before the area became a national park.
The Batwa depended on the forest for food, medicine, and shelter. Today, they share their skills with visitors, including how they hunted and gathered fruits. You can visit a traditional healer and enjoy songs and dances from their culture.
Accommodation in Buhoma Sector
There are several places to stay in Buhoma sector. These include Bwindi Forest Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Community Haven, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Bwindi Volcano Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, and Gift of Nature Lodge, among others.
Your choice will depend on your budget and where your gorilla permit was booked.
How to Get to Buhoma Sector
Buhoma is the easiest sector to access in Bwindi. It is about 550 kilometers from Kampala, which takes around 9–10 hours by road. From the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, it’s a 4-hour drive. You can also fly from Kajjansi Airfield or Entebbe International Airport to an airstrip near the park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be visited throughout the year. However, the best time is during the dry months of June to September and December to February. During this time, the roads are easier to use and the hiking trails are not muddy.
