The Rushaga sector boasts the highest number of gorilla family to include; Mishaya, Nshongi, Kahungye, Busingye and Bishaho. It lies between Kabale and Nkuringo coming from either Ruhija or Kampala. The steep slopes immediately surrounding the park are heavily cultivated and thus forest cover stops abruptly at the park boundary. The majority of the families belong to Bantu people such as Bakiga and Bafumbira and a few to the Batwa pygmy people.
Rushaga has the most Gorilla Families along with the nearby Nkuringo area that you can track in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The southern area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is also one of the most scenic areas of the park. New Lodges have sprung up, given more choices in and around the South of Bwindi Forest and lots of things to do and see. BOOK NOW
Is Rushaga Sector – Best Area for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest? The Future holds a lot of promise for the South of Bwindi Forest, in particular for Rushaga and for Nkuringo. More and more Tour Operators, Visitors and Tourists are also eyeing the Rushaga and Nkuringo areas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Some even state that the Rushaga – Nkuringo will overtake the popular and original gorilla tracking area in Uganda – Buhoma.
The Main Reason why Rushaga is so popular is accessibility. It is only a 3 1/2 hour drive from Kigali and permit prices are only 600 USD compared to Rwanda’s 1500 USD – for 1500 USD in Rushaga you get 4 hours with a gorilla family compared to 1 hour in Rwanda for the same price as in Rwanda – the choice is yours.
The Buhoma Area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was the first spot for gorilla treks in Uganda. Rushaga and Nkuringo came along years later, however, most habituated for gorilla trekking groups are now in the South of Bwindi Forest.
Add on top of that two other gorilla families being habituated presently in the Rushaga area and the South Bwindi areas are the place to come to for Gorilla Trekking.
Gorilla Trekking is for many is the experience of a lifetime and Rushaga is the best place for a gorilla trek with more permits for trekking than any other area in Bwindi Forest.
There are two groups being habituated in the Rushaga area and you can join the researchers, trackers, and others in spending four hours with a gorilla family, add the hike to the group and back out again and you have a full-day activity that will stay with you for a long time to come.
Permits for the Gorilla Habituation Experience are 1,500 USD and the number of permits is limited to 4 permits for a group of gorillas being habituated in the Rushaga area of the park.
It takes a bit more planning as to when to do the activity because of limited permits available.
It is a 10-hour journey from Entebbe Airport in Uganda to the Rushaga area of Bwindi Forest. What most do not realize that it is only a 3-hour drive from Kigali airport to the Rushaga Area. Fly into Rwanda and Trek Gorillas in Uganda.
When you access Uganda to visit the Rushaga area of Bwindi Forest you can take advantage of the East African Visa which allows you access to both countries plus Kenya.
Rushaga – easy access from Kigali Rwanda – another reason to visit Rushaga plus home of the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
The Rushaga sector of Bwindi Forest can be easily accessed from Entebbe or Kampala by taking a flight to Kisoro – the flight is one of the more scenic ones in Uganda and includes views of the Virunga Volcanoes – Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda.
The flight is 1 1/2 hours long to the town of Kisoro from Entebbe and then it is a short drive to the Rushaga or Nkuringo area to your lodge that you have chosen for your Gorilla activity in the area.
The flight back to Entebbe is just as easy for connection of a flight back to your home-country or continues your safari with us to other places within Uganda. Flights are with Aerolink the best domestic flight operator to various Uganda’s National Parks.