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Small-Group Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, & Congo

Bwindi National Park Gorilla Trekking Sectors and Gates

baby gorilla Bwindi Ruhija

Bwindi National Park has four gorilla trekking gates or sectors. These are Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Buhoma gates. The Nyakagezi gorilla group is found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Rushaga Sector

Rushaga sector is located in the southern section of Bwindi National Park in the district of Kisoro. Rushaga sector is a popular gorilla trekking destination at Bwindi National Park because of several reasons:

  • Rushaga sector has many gorilla families open for gorilla trekking. The number of gorilla families available for trekking is more than 7.
  • Rushaga sector is accessible from Kigali, Rwanda, via the Kyanika border post. The drive time from Kigali to Rushaga is 4-5hrs. Rushaga is also accessible through the nearby Kisoro airport. AeroLink provides daily flights from Entebbe airport to Kisoro airport.
  • Rushaga is close to the Nkuringo sector, so one can stay the night in the Rushaga area and trek gorillas at the Nkuringo sector, also in the southern part of Bwindi National Park.
  • There are various accommodation options in the Rushaga sector, including Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, and Gorilla Valley Lodge.

Nkuringo Sector

The Nkuringo sector is located in the southern section of Bwindi National Park in the district of Kisoro. Nkuringo sector is easily accessible from Kigali, Rwanda, via the Kyanika border post. The drive time from Kigali to Nkuringo is 5hrs. Nkuringo is also accessible through the nearby Kisoro airport. AeroLink provides daily flights from Entebbe airport to Kisoro airport. Nkuringo is close to the Rushaga sector, so that one can stay the night at the Nkuringo area and trek gorillas in the Rushaga sector, and vice versa. There are various accommodation options in the Nkuringo sector, including the upmarket Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and many others.

Ruhija Sector

​Ruhija sector is located in the eastern section of Bwindi National Park in the newest district of Rubanda (originally Kabale). Ruhija sector is easily accessible from Kigali, Rwanda, via the Kyanika or Katuna land border crossing. The drive time from Kigali to Ruhija is between 4 and 5 hours. Ruhija is also accessible through the nearby Kihihi Airport. AeroLink provides daily flights from Entebbe airport to Kihihi airport. Ruhija is close to Lake Bunyonyi, making it easier to stay at Lake Bunyonyi and trek gorillas in the Ruhija sector. There are various accommodations in the Ruhija sector, including Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, and many others.

Buhoma Sector

Gorilla trekking at Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park. Buhoma sector, which also happens to be the national park headquarters for Bwindi National Park, is located in the northern section of Bwindi National Park in the district of Kanungu. Buhoma is approximately an 8-9-hour drive from Kampala and 5-6 hours from Kigali. Buhoma is also accessible through the nearby Kihihi airport. AeroLink provides daily flights from Entebbe airport to Kihihi Airport. Buhoma, the oldest gorilla trekking location at Bwindi National Park, is notable for upscale lodges, including Sanctuary Gorilla Retreat and Bwindi Lodge (operated by Volcanoes) Safaris), Buhoma Lodge, and many others. Buhoma is a 2hrs drive to the southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park called the Ishasha sector. The Ishasha sector is a famous destination for spotting tree-climbing lions.

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