The four gorilla sectors of Uganda are divisions containing habituated mountain gorilla families found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in the southwestern part of the country. Visitors on gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can get access to any of the sectors to track and spend an hour with a gorilla family per day. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a biodiverse ecosystem about 321 square kilometers in size. The park is situated at the edge of the Albertine Rift, and blessed with over 450 mountain gorillas, approximately a half of the total worldwide population of the endangered apes. There are 22 habituated gorilla families that can be tracked in its four gorilla sectors as explained below,
Buhoma sector
The Buhoma sector in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the first place where gorilla family (Mubare) was habituated for tracking. Since 1992, gorilla trekking tours have been done in Buhoma and the place still attracts the most visitors on gorilla trekking tours. Aside from Mubare, the 64 individual gorillas in the habituated gorilla families found in Buhoma include Rushegura, Muyambi, Katwe, Binyindo, Kanywanyi and Habinyanja. Besides gorilla trekking, visitors can enjoy hiking tours, birding tours, and cultural encounters. The Buhoma sector also has accommodation where visitors can stay while on tour here.
Nkuringo sector
The Nkuringo sector is situated in the southwestern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The sector is named after the quintessential habituated Nkuringo gorilla family, and 3 others including Christmas, Bushaho, and Posho. The overall total of individual gorillas in the four gorilla groups is 51. The Nkuringo sector terrain is fairly rugged and requires that your physical fitness is much superior to have a successful gorilla trekking experience. You will have an opportunity to encounter the Batwa communities. This is a special chance to interact with these vulnerable tribe that used to inhabit the forest for decades before they were evicted.
Ruhija sector
The Ruhija sector in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has at least 67 individual mountain gorillas living in 6 habituated gorilla families. The gorilla families include Kyaguriro A and B, Oruzogo, Mukiza, Happy and Bitukura. Similar to Nkuringo, the Ruhija sector is characterized by rugged steeper terrain that offer challenges while hiking. The trailhead here can lead you to Rwamunyonyi peak, and enroute you may spot vervet and colobus monkeys. You can also do birding tours, cultural encounters with the Batwa pygmies, and hiking tours among others.
Rushaga sector
The Rushaga sector situated in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has at least 10 habituated gorilla families constituting of a total of 69 individual mountain gorillas. These families include Tindatine, Rwigi, Bweza, Busingye, Mishaya, Kahungye, Kutu, Bikingi, Mucunguzi and Nshongi. The Rushega sector is also the only part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where gorilla habituation occurs therefore offers gorilla habituation experiences beside gorilla trekking tours. Other activities visitors can enjoy here include birdwatching, Batwa cultural encounters and nature walks. With a wide selection of accommodation types, visitors can stay in either midrange or luxury lodges found here.
Accessing the 4 gorilla sectors of Uganda
From Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the southwest by road is about 502 kilometers via Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and Kisoro. The road trip is expected to take 10 to 11 hours, which also offers an opportunity to pause at the Equator monument for a tour. Booking with a registered tour company like Monteero Safaris makes your transfer by road safer and more memorable. We have a variety of cars that you can hire, including 4X4 safari cars and saloon cars. These are driven by professional English-speaking guides, with sufficient knowledge about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Domestic flights are also available for visitors who prefer faster travel options to any of the four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A scheduled flight with Aerolink operates from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip. Aerolink operates flights from 07:00 to 08:45, 10:15 to 11:55 and 13:00 to 14:30. When you arrive at the airstrip, you will need to organize ground transport to complete your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is much more convenient if you book a flight in advance. Monteero Safaris is your trusted tour operator to do this, and you can contact us on more information about your flight.
What to pack for a tour in the 4 gorilla sectors of Uganda
To have a successful tour in any of the 4 gorilla sectors of Uganda, we at Monteero Safaris recommend every tourist to pack the following essential items among others,
- Hiking shoes with firm grip to move on uneven terrain
- Lightweight clothing of long-sleeved shirt and trousers
- A pair of garden gloves
- Warm sweater
- Poncho or rain jacket
- Gaiters
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Backpack
- Insect repellent
- Basic first aid kit
- Refillable water bottle for drinking water
- Gorilla permit if going for a gorilla trek