Rushaga sector is one of the gorilla trekking sections of Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park, Uganda is the top destination for gorilla safaris and it is the only country in the world with half of the world’s total population of endangered mountain gorillas. Endangered Mountain Gorilla in Uganda can be found in tropical rain forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga both located in Southwestern Uganda and by deciding to go and see gorillas, know that you will find them in their natural habitat or environment. Each gorilla family/group found in the Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park is limited to 8 visitors per day and this implies that gorillas in Rushaga can be trekked and visited every day throughout the year. The chances of seeing gorillas in the Rushaga sector are as high as 98 percent.

Rushaga in Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park is a key sector for gorilla trekking not only in Bwindi but in Uganda as a whole. The Rushaga sector gorilla trailhead is situated in southwestern Uganda at the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rushaga is part of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where you can go trek and see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment in the world, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is gifted as the only park with half of the only remaining mountain gorillas in the world making in popular as the best Mountain Gorilla Trekking destination. Indeed, Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park features one of the ancient old forests on the African continent and was acknowledged as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. The whole activity /process of gorilla trekking in  Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park is done in 4 sectors/regions of the park which include Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and  Nkuringo. Gorilla trekking in all these sectors is so amazing so what you need is just to choose the sector of your interest and we check for you the availability of gorilla trekking permits in that specified sector.

A gorilla trekking trip in Bwindi starting from Rushaga sector trailhead

Gorilla trekking is one of the travel life-changing and enjoyable activities that one would not miss participating in the Rushaga sector. The activity of gorilla trekking involves the visitors visiting gorillas in forests which they inhabit naturally, by trekking the well-habituated gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Rushaga commences/starts at 7:00 am at the park headquarters with a briefing, the briefing is intended to make you aware of what you’re supposed to do and not as you move in the forest searching for the endangered Mountain Gorilla. Immediately after the briefing process, you will be led by a group of rangers, researchers, guides, and trackers into the forest to find the gorillas. Upon seeing the gorillas, you will be allowed 1 hour to see them, and after you will return to your starting point which is normally at the headquarter and receive a tour certificate of gorilla trekking participation in Uganda. Mountain Gorillas share 95% DNA with us humans and this makes them amazing creatures. As per Uganda Wildlife Authority regulation, a group composed of 8 people is allowed to visit a habituated gorilla family per day and gorilla trekking is only for visitors who are aged 15 years and above. This means that people below this age are not allowed to trek gorillas since they are not easy to control and can easily transmit diseases to these Gorillas. Starting your gorilla trekking from the Rushaga sector trailhead will enable you to get a wonderful experience as never before.

How many gorilla Habituated families are in the Rushaga sector trailhead in Bwindi?

Uganda has got a total of nineteen habituated gorilla families which are found in two national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. All these habituated gorilla families are available for trekking by all visitors from all corners of the world. In Rushaga one of the best sectors for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest Park Uganda has got 7 habituated gorilla families and these include the Busingye gorilla family, Bwera Gorilla Family, Nshongi Gorilla family, Bikyingi Gorilla Family, Mishaya Gorilla family, and Kahungye gorilla family, and Mucunguzi Gorilla family. Each of these groups is allowed 8 visitors per day and this means that there 56 gorilla trekking permits that are sold each day in the Rushaga sector trailhead in Bwindi.

What is the price of the gorilla trekking permit in the Rushaga sector head trail?

As earlier said Ruhija has got 7 gorilla families and this means that 56 gorilla trekking permits are available on daily basis for visitors to trek gorilla in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The prices for gorilla trekking permits for Rushaga is to all sectors and even for Mgahinga Gorilla National park. The gorilla trekking permit costs united stated dollars 700 for foreign-Nonresidents and United States dollars 600 for foreign residents. While east African citizens pay Uganda shillings 250, 000. The gorilla trekking permit grants you 1-hour viewing of mountain gorillas and believes me, this is one of the memories activity that you can ever have in Africa’s wildness.

 The trekking permit only allows one hour of viewing of the gorillas though it is such a lifetime experience to encounter with the gorillas. In peak season that comes in the dry season in January, February, July, Augusts, September, and December, the gorilla trekking permits tent to sell out and thus we recommend you to book with us and confirm your intending dates of travel and then we check the availability of the gorilla permits with Uganda Wildlife Authority and once we find availability then we shall give you the feedback by sending you the invoice to start making the payment for gorilla trekking permit and still if they are not available you can revisit and choose other dates that have the availability. We can as well advise otherwise.

 Once we have received your payment Africa, adventure vacations will book and secure your permits and send you a copy of the receipt showing clearly the booking ID to confirm that your gorilla trekking. The process of getting the gorilla permit is not difficult as you can get it through your permit through Africa Adventure Vacations.

What is the best time for a gorilla trekking trip in Bwindi starting from the Rushaga sector trailhead?

Gorilla trekking in Rushaga and generally in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is during the dry season of the year however trekking gorillas is open daily throughout the year. The months that present the best time for gorilla trekking include January February and from June to early September. These months experience less or little rainfall but because of the tropical climate anytime weather /climate can change so it’s good that when you’re going gorilla trekking you when you’re prepared for any weather changes. It is also important to note that sometimes the rainy season is considered goof for seeing gorillas the fact that rains come with a lot of food for the gorillas all over the park and thus gorillas can easily be seen during the rainy season. There is also a tendency of gorilla trekking permits being sold out quickly especially in the drier months of the year as indicated which are regarded as peak/high season in Uganda and therefore you must book your gorilla trekking permit in advance or in time in order not to miss an opportunity to trek and see the engendered mountain Gorillas.

How to access Rushaga sector Trailhead in Bwindi Forest National park

Visitors can get to the Rushaga sector by using road transport directly from Entebbe international airport on an 8-9hours road trip as you make a stopover at the equator for some snacks and lunch or they can directly fly to Rushaga Trail Head via Kisoro Airstrip. Though using the road is long, the journey is entertaining and enjoyable as there is a lot to see on your way on the road. Visitors can as well drive from Kigali international airport to cross the Katuna or Cyanika borders of Rwanda and Uganda to access the Rushaga gorilla trekking trail heal of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. While accessing the Rushaga gorilla trekking Trailhead in Bwindi via Rwanda, you will be able to pass through /drive through Kabale town and you will access this sector for about 4-5hours to drive from Kigali Rwanda to Rushaga.  This journey through Kigali international airport becomes very easy when you acquire an East African visa what will enable you to cross the East African countries of Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. A multiple Visa is available at United States dollars 100 and you can get them on your arrival at Airport. Still, single-entry visas are available for Uganda, a single entry visa is at USD50 and USD30 for Rwanda single entry Visa. You can as well opt to use air transport to connect to the Rushaga sector gorilla Trailhead by having a scheduled charter flight from Entebbe international airport/Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi airfield which is located in Kanungu district.

What are some of the accommodation facilities where I can stay on a gorilla trekking trip starting from Rushaga trailhead?

Rushaga Gorilla trekking Trail Head in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park has got various accommodation facilities where you can stay based on your interests and budget. There are budget accommodation facilities, midrange accommodation facilities, and upmarket or luxury accommodation facilities. Visitors on budget and a mid-range budget can stay at Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Four Gorilla Lodge, you can as well stay at Clouds Mountains Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge among other accommodation facilities. Accommodation facilities in Rushaga are very many and you need to make you’re booking as early enough to ensure you get a better accommodation facility to stay at during your gorilla trekking trip in Bwindi starting from Rushaga Gorilla trail Head. These accommodation facilities can be fully booked especially during the peak season calling you to book in advance.