Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into four main sectors: Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector, and Rushaga sector.
While booking gorilla permits, tourists should ensure they get permits for the area where they have booked their accommodation.
The Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park is located in the northern part of the park and is the most visited sector. It was the first sector of the park to open in 1993.
The oldest habituated mountain gorilla family, and the first to be trekked by tourists in Bwindi, is the Mubare gorilla family, found in the Buhoma sector.
Buhoma sector gorilla permits are scarce because there are fewer permits available for trekking each day. The sector has over five habituated gorilla families: the Habinyanja gorilla family, the Rushegura gorilla family, and the Mubare gorilla family, offering only 24 permits daily for trekking.
Buhoma sector permits are also scarce because it is the most easily accessible part of Bwindi National Park compared to other sectors.
Buhoma is close to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, giving tourists an opportunity to see tree-climbing lions by passing through Queen Elizabeth. The sector is also nearer to Kihihi airstrip than the other sectors of Bwindi.
Permits for Buhoma are highly demanded because the terrain in this sector is easier to navigate, making it simpler to reach the gorilla families. Many travelers prioritize booking permits for Buhoma, which leads to permits being scarce.
The Buhoma sector was also the first to be developed in the park, making it more advanced compared to other areas. It offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget to midrange and luxury, attracting all types of travelers and further increasing the demand for permits.
The Buhoma sector also offers cultural experiences that can be combined with gorilla trekking. Tourists can visit the ancient Batwa pygmy people, who lived with gorillas in the forest for over 500,000 years before being evicted when the park was established.
The Batwa people showcase their hunting skills, how they use plants for medicine, and much more, allowing visitors to learn about their way of life by visiting their homesteads.
Guided nature walks are also available in the Buhoma sector, offering insight into the tropical rain-forest.
Tourists can encounter various primates like red-tailed monkeys and olive baboons, butterfly species, and birds such as the red-headed bluebill, African emerald cuckoo, white-tailed blue flycatcher, and short-tailed warbler. Bird lovers are advised to carry binoculars when visiting Bwindi.
Gorilla permits in Uganda cost $800 per person, while the cost for habituation is $1,500. Tourists should always book permits in advance, especially those planning to trek in the Buhoma sector during the peak season.
