Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park is home to three habituated gorilla families. Eight permits are available for trekking each group daily, meaning the Buhoma sector provides 24 gorilla permits in total per day.
It is one of the most visited sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This was the first place where gorilla trekking began in Uganda, starting in 1993 with the Mubare gorilla family.
Buhoma is located in the northern part of the park and has a lower altitude compared to other regions. This makes gorilla trekking in this area less difficult. The gorilla families in this sector are also easy to reach, and in many cases, gorillas can even be seen near the park headquarters.
Most tourists who want to combine gorilla trekking with wildlife viewing choose Buhoma gorilla permits. This is because the sector is closest to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where visitors can go for game drives and take boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel, which is rich in wildlife.
Booking a gorilla permit in the Buhoma sector is important for travelers using air transport. AeroLink Uganda operates two flights daily to Kihihi Airstrip, which is the closest airstrip to the Buhoma sector of Bwindi.
The cost of gorilla permits in the Buhoma sector is the same as in other regions of the park. A trekking permit costs $800 per person, and a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500. Buhoma is known for having the best luxury lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. High-end tourists can stay at lodges such as Mahogany Springs, Engagi Lodge, Bwindi Volcanoes Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Kitandara Tented Camp, and Buhoma Community Haven, among others.
Buhoma sector can be reached by road in about 9 to 10 hours from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Luxury travelers can also fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airstrip, which takes about 1 to 2 hours. Travelers coming from Rwanda can reach Buhoma sector in about 6 to 7 hours by road from Kigali.
