You will need Rushaga gorilla permits if you intend to trek gorillas in that particular sector. Gorilla permits in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi cost $800 per person, and gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person.
Children under the age of 15 years or tourists with infections like the flu will not be allowed to trek gorillas.
Rushaga sector is a popular sector for Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking tours.
Families to Trek in the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi
- Busingye Gorilla Family: The Busingye gorilla family can be trekked in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This group was formed in August 2012 when it broke away from the Kahungye gorilla family. The name “Busingye” comes from a local word that means “peace,” and it was given to the dominant silverback.
- Kahungye Gorilla Family: The Kahungye gorilla family originally had 23 members during the time of habituation and was led by the silverback Rumansi. However, less than a year after being habituated, the group split, and one part became the Busingye gorilla family.
- Bweza Gorilla Family: The Bweza gorilla family was formed in 2012 when the dominant silverback Bweza separated from the Nshongi gorilla family to start his own group. Today, the Bweza family has 12 members, including 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 4 blackbacks, 1 juvenile, and 2 infant gorillas.
- Nshongi Gorilla Family: The Nshongi gorilla family was the largest habituated group in Bwindi when it was opened for tourism in 2009. At that time, it had 36 members. The name “Nshongi” comes from the Nshongi River, where the group was first seen. In 2010, the silverback Mishaya left the group with 10 members to form his own family, now called the Mishaya gorilla family. Less than two months later, Bweza also left to start his own group, leaving Nshongi with only 7 members.
- Mishaya Gorilla Family: The Mishaya gorilla family was formed when the silverback Mishaya broke away from the Nshongi group. Mishaya was known for fighting other gorilla groups to add new members to his family. Sadly, after many fights with other silverbacks, Mishaya was badly injured and died on February 3, 2014. His death was also linked to a twisted intestine. Today, the group is led by a silverback named Mwine.
When trekking mountain gorillas in the Rushaga region of Bwindi, it is best to book a lodge within the Rushaga sector. Some of the lodges in this area include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and several others.
The Rushaga sector of Bwindi can be visited at any time of the year, but some months are better than others. The best time to visit is from June to August and from December to February.
If you are going for gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation, make sure to bring good hiking boots, garden gloves, a raincoat, warm clothes, long-sleeved shirts, drinking water, energy snacks, and insect repellent, along with other necessary items.
