Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in Ruhija region.

There are currently roughly four gorilla families in the Ruhija Gorilla Safari Area. Because Ruhija is a top birding location in the Bwindi forest, trekking the mountain gorillas there offers avid birdwatchers a double chance. Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, and Mukisa are a few of the gorilla families found in the Ruhija region. As the gorilla habituation process in the Ruhija area progresses, it is anticipated that the roster of gorilla trekking families will grow.

Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo are the four regions that make up Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because of Bwindi’s enormous size and the several mountains that divided it due to local volcanic activity, Uganda Wildlife Authorities decided to divide the park into three sections. The roads in the Ruhija area are notoriously bad, so if you plan to try it, you’ll need at least a four-wheel drive car.

To go gorilla trekking in the Ruhija area, you need a gorilla permit. Each gorilla family is permitted a maximum of eight gorilla permits per day. For conservation purposes and to lessen the likelihood of trampling on the flora that these primates eat, this was done.

Because gorilla safari accommodations sell out quickly, particularly during the busiest months of June through September and December through January, reservations must be made well in advance. Although there aren’t many lodging options in the Ruhija area, it’s possible to spend the night in the Buhoma area, which is roughly an hour’s drive away.

Which gorilla families are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Ruhija region?

The Oruzogo family of gorillas
The Bitukura family of gorillas
Family of Kyaguriro Gorillas
The Mukisa family of gorillas
As long as the gorilla habituation process is ongoing, the list of Ruhija’s gorilla families may grow.

How can a gorilla permit for the Ruhija region be scheduled?

Verify the amount of qualified individuals joining you on your expedition as well as the gorilla trekking day. Ask whether there are any gorilla permits available, mentioning the Ruhija sector as your preferred location. Our tour specialists at Monumental Expeditions and Safaris can help you with gorilla permit reservations, gorilla safari planning, and other safari-related reservations.

With a focus on permits for the Ruhija region, our safari adviser looks for availability on the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s list.

We suggest clients to book their gorilla permits as soon as possible, however they will come back to you once they have confirmed the availability of gorilla permits in accordance with your interest. Payment is required to reserve a gorilla permit. The gorilla permits are obtained on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to their limited supply and great demand, gorilla permit status changes might happen suddenly.

on be included on your gorilla permit card, later give us personal information such as your full name as it appears on your passport, country, birthdate, and passport expiration date.

How much does a gorilla permit cost in Bwindi’s Ruhija area?

Foreign nonresidents must pay $800 for gorilla trekking licenses in the Ruhija area, while foreign residents must pay $700. East African residents must pay 300,000 shs. All Uganda gorilla permits are sold and governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You can still obtain your gorilla permit by working with a recognized tour operator, such as Monumental Expeditions and Safaris.

The price of gorilla permits includes the following: ranger guide fees, daytime security, community assistance, mountain gorilla conservation, one hour with the mountain gorillas, and park entrance costs that are valid for 24 hours after you enter the park on gorilla safari day.

Porters, lodging, a packed lunch, snacks, and other expenses are not included in the price of the gorilla permit.

Is a gorilla permit worth the money?

Yes, you can get within meters of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas if you buy a gorilla trekking permit. Since there are currently only about 1000 of these mountain gorillas in the world, they are considered endangered.

Since additional money is required to support the wildlife conservation team, some of the gorilla permit money is used to support mountain gorilla conservation. The local community receives a share of the gorilla permit sales proceeds each year to help fund their projects. This is one method of making amends for the mountain gorillas that occasionally wander into the neighborhood and ruin farmers’ crops.

Additionally, the population must be made aware of the significance of preserving the forest, mountain gorillas, and other forest dwellers. To save the mountain gorillas and their habitat, they have to be on board. Additionally, money from the sale of gorilla permits is used to subsidize a portion of this.

In the Ruhija region, when is the best time to reserve a gorilla safari permit?

Since there can only be a maximum of eight gorilla permits per gorilla family, it is preferable to book them in advance. Gorilla permits can be reserved at least six months to a year in advance for safety. Demand for gorilla permits rises during the busiest months of June, July, August, September, December, and January, resulting in last-minute shortages.

There is usually less demand for gorilla permits during the off-peak months of March, April, May, and November. There is also a greater chance of finding availability at the last minute, however this is not always the case. Should you have a tight budget for your gorilla safari trip, you might take advantage of the low season to increase your gorilla safari experience. In order to break even, some service providers, such as lodging and tour guides, may reduce their prices. There is a greater likelihood of an upgrade.

Which lodging do you reserve in Ruhija for gorilla trekking?

While there aren’t many lodging options in the Ruhija area, there are options in the Buhoma area for the nights before to the gorilla safari. It takes roughly two hours to go from the Buhoma area to the Ruhija area on a badly maintained road that is only accessible by 4×4 wheel drive because it is not often used by the general population.

Accommodations in Ruhija include Bakiga Lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, and Ruhija Gorilla Lodge.

Accommodations in Buhoma include Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Engage Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Forest Camp, and Bwindi View Bandas.

How can I travel from Kampala or Entebbe to the Ruhija area?

By Road From Kampala or Entebbe, you can travel 414 kilometers to Kabale and then 42 kilometers to Ruhija, which is on a rocky, dusty road. You can also drive to the Ruhija area via Buhoma, which takes around two hours.

You need a car that is in decent shape and has at least 4×4 wheel drive because the roads leading to the Ruhija area are still in poor shape.

By air
There are daily domestic flights to Kihihi Airstrip from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip, but reservations are advised for better planning. To get to your lodging, rent a transfer car.

For a more exclusive gorilla safari experience, charter flights are also offered from Kajjansi Airfield and Entebbe Airport to Kihihi Airstrip, which is roughly two hours away from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Make reservations for the charter flights well in advance because advance approval is required.

In the Ruhija region, which gorilla family is the easiest to trek?

It is challenging to identify which of the four gorilla families that have emerged in the Ruhija are the most accessible for trekking. This is due to the possibility that the gorilla family that was closest the day before might be the farthest the following day. Primates that are mobile and unrestricted by anything are mountain gorillas.

Finding the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking is dependent on a number of wilderness conditions, such as the gorillas’ food source’s vicinity, whether the family is adventurous, the death of a family member, the speed of other travelers, and other variables.

It is advised that visitors exercise patience before attempting to locate the mountain gorillas. When searching for a long time, have an open mind to see other intriguing features in the environment to prevent boredom. Other primates found in the Bwindi forest include olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus, and blue monkeys.

What standards are applied for allocating gorilla families to the Ruhija region of Bwindi?

It is challenging to decide the criterion for assigning gorilla families after the briefing. Gorilla families are occasionally assigned based on factors like relationships, fitness level, and interests. Although it’s not always a guarantee, you could try your luck by telling the ranger guides what you would want to be considered.

The thrill of being only a few meters away from these animals is unparalleled, regardless of the gorilla family to which you are assigned.

Is it hard to go gorilla trekking in Ruhija?

The gorilla safari locations are typically found in volcanic regions, which makes the hiking extremely taxing. Areas used for gorilla safaris have rough topography, with plateaus and peaks resembling highlands covered in tangled vegetation that occasionally tilts to the ground. To make a path, the ranger guide may use a machete to cut the vines.

You might have to hike to locate the mountain gorillas when they are feeding on the slopes of these highlands. To finish the walk and avoid creating chaos in the forest by delaying rest, one must maintain a certain level of fitness. It is difficult to predict when the mountain gorillas will be found.

When packing for a gorilla safari, keep in mind the items that will protect you from the hard terrain of the rainforest, such as garden gloves, insect repellent, rainproof apparel, safari boots, and a backpack.

Do mountain gorillas pose a threat?

Despite how they are represented in movies, cartoons, and other media, mountain gorillas are not deadly. Despite their frightening appearance, they are naturally peaceful primates. The mountain gorillas are characterized by their large proportions, dark coats, sunken brown eyes, and knuckle movements. These may appear to be a scary animal at first appearance, but by the time you leave their company, you will have come to understand the mountain gorillas’ vulnerability.

The mountain gorillas are also capable of charging, so don’t provoke them. When the mountain gorillas are upset, they hoot, bang their chests, drag vines around themselves, and retreat into the dense jungle.

When such conduct is observed, do not become alarmed; instead, pay close attention to the ranger guide’s instructions and follow them. The mountain gorillas are occasionally the victims of an intruder attack or are engaged in a family dispute. Remain composed until the matter is resolved rather than escalating the situation by rushing around.

To avoid appearing suspicious in front of the mountain gorillas, make sure you leave the area quietly after viewing them.

What are Uganda’s gorilla trekking regulations?

Since mountain gorillas are untamed creatures that must forage for food, they should not be fed.
It is prohibited to provoke mountain gorillas since doing so could cause them to become upset and go into hiding.
Because mountain gorillas are afraid of new things in their surroundings, flash photography is prohibited.
During gorilla trekking, it is prohibited to approach the mountain gorillas because they may hide if they feel assaulted.
The mountain gorillas may take it from you if you eat or smoke within 300 meters of them. They must not be dependent on human sustenance because they are wild creatures.
Because littering changes the forest’s natural habitat, which is where mountain gorillas graze, it is prohibited in the area.
Because it contaminates the flora that the mountain gorillas eat, it is not a good idea to spit on vegetation.
Since the coronavirus epidemic, it is imperative that you wear a mask while you are near mountain gorillas to prevent them from contracting human-transmittable diseases.
To lessen the possibility of infecting the mountain gorillas, keep a distance of roughly 8 meters from them.
Because the mountain gorillas have become accustomed to being around people for that length of time, you only get to spend an hour with them once you find them.
Since mountain gorillas are generally peaceful animals that like quiet surroundings, it is prohibited to make noise when trekking to find them.
Given how easily humans may infect mountain gorillas, if you have cholera, the flu, a cough, or COVID-19, offer to stay behind so that you don’t infect the animals.