Buhoma gorilla trekking is a great experience but very competitive. It is hard to book a permit in Buhoma just a few days before your tour. You should book it early to have a better chance.
Buhoma is one of the sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in the southwestern part of Uganda. The other sectors are Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga.
Buhoma was the first place in Uganda where gorilla trekking started.
The Mubare gorilla family in Buhoma was the first group to be habituated in 1993.
Buhoma Gorilla Families
Some of the gorilla families in Buhoma include:
Habinyanja gorilla family
Also called the H family, Habinyanja was first habituated in 1997 and opened to tourists in 1999. The name comes from a swamp in Bwindi where the group was first seen. At first, the group had 25 members, but it later split in 2002, forming the Rushegura family.
The family was first led by a silverback named Mugurisi, which means “old man.” Even though he was old, he led a group of about 30 members. After his death, his sons Mwirima and Rwanzigazi shared leadership. They had different personalities. Rwanzigazi liked moving to new places, while Mwirima preferred staying in one area.
In 2002, the group peacefully split. Some members followed Mwirima and formed the Rushegura family. The rest stayed with Rwanzigazi under the name Habinyanja.
Mubare gorilla family
The Mubare family was the first group to be habituated in Bwindi in 1991. It was first led by Ruhondeza, who died in 2012. This group became known for infanticide, where Ruhondeza would remove young males to avoid losing leadership in the future.
Kanyonyi was the only silverback who survived his father and later became the leader. Today, the group has 11 members, including 1 silverback, 3 infants, 6 adult females, and 1 sub-adult.
Rushegura gorilla family
This family came from the Habinyanja group after the split in 2002. The name Rushegura comes from “Ebishegura,” a local tree species found in the area where the split happened. Mwirima led this new group with 7 members.
By 2010, Rushegura had grown to 19 members. This group is good for tourists who prefer short treks because they are often seen near the park headquarters and in village gardens.
Compliments to your Buhoma gorilla tours
Apart from mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is also home to forest elephants, giant forest genets, African golden civets, bushbucks, and several antelope species. There are also primates like chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys.
Bwindi has 348 bird species, some of which are only found in this area. Birds include the African green broadbill, Chapin’s flycatcher, Shelley’s crimson wing, short-tailed warbler, Grauer’s rush warbler, and many more.
You can take nature walks in the Buhoma sector using trails like the Munyaga River Trail, Waterfall Trail, Rushura Hill Trail, Muzabajiro Loop Trail, and River Ivy Trail. These trails offer great views and chances to see birds and other wildlife.
For cultural experiences, the Batwa Trail and the Buhoma Community Walk are good options. Tourists can meet local people, learn about their way of life, visit traditional healers, see farmlands, and enjoy traditional songs and dances. You can also support the community by buying handmade items.
Accommodation in Buhoma
Since Buhoma was the first sector opened for gorilla trekking, there are many accommodation options, including Silverback Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Volcano Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, and Buhoma Community Haven, among others.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can be reached by road in 8–9 hours from Kampala. It can also be reached within 1–2 hours from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield by air. Buhoma is close to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for tree-climbing lions. It takes about 2 hours to drive from there.
What to bring for Buhoma gorilla trekking
When planning to trek gorillas in Buhoma, tourists should not forget the following: hiking boots, warm clothes, raincoats, garden gloves, energy snacks, drinking water, and other personal items.
Buhoma can be visited all year round, but the best months are from June to August and December to February during the dry season. Rain during the wet season can sometimes affect the trekking experience.
