The Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Buhoma is the oldest region of Bwindi National Park and is home to the oldest habituated gorilla family, the Mubare group, which was habituated in 1992.
The Buhoma sector is easily accessible. It is a four-hour drive from the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and a two-hour drive from Kabale town. It is also close to Kihihi Airstrip for visitors who prefer air transport. Apart from gorilla trekking, other activities like guided nature walks and cultural encounters can also be enjoyed in the Buhoma sector.
Habituated Mountain Gorilla Families in Buhoma Sector of Bwindi
- Mubare Gorilla Family: The Mubare mountain gorilla family is named after the Mubare Hills in Bwindi National Park, where trackers and rangers first sighted the group. This is the oldest mountain gorilla family in Uganda and is found in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The group was led by Ruhondeza, a silverback, at the time of habituation. Unfortunately, Ruhondeza died in 2013 after being injured in a fight with another silverback, Kanyonyi, who wanted to take over the group. Ruhondeza was known for being ambitious and often fought rivals and younger males in the group to maintain his dominance.
- Habinyanja Gorilla Family: The Habinyanja mountain gorilla family gets its name from the local word “Nyanja,” meaning a pool of water, as the group was first sighted near a water pool. The family was habituated in 1997 and opened for tourism in 1999. It was originally led by Mugurusi, the dominant silverback, who passed leadership to his two sons. Mugurusi’s sons, Mwirima and Rwansigazi, could not get along due to their differences. Mwirima preferred staying in one area, while Rwansigazi was an adventurer who loved exploring new places. This led to the group splitting in 2002, with Mwirima forming his own family, now called the Rushegura Gorilla Family. Rwansigazi stayed with the Habinyanja family and later handed leadership to his son Makara, who now leads the group.
- Rushegura Gorilla Family: The Rushegura mountain gorilla family, also known as Group R, was formed in 2002 when silverback Mwirima left the Habinyanja family to start his own group. Mwirima died in 2015, and the family is now led by Kabukojo.
When trekking mountain gorillas in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park, it is recommended to book accommodation within this sector. Some of the hotels in Buhoma include: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge, and Gorilla Conservation Camp.
The Buhoma sector is very popular among visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. As a result, permits in this sector are often scarce. It is advised to book permits 3-6 months in advance. Gorilla trekking permits cost $800 per person per trek, while gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person.