Katwe Gorilla Group

Katwe Gorilla Group- Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is home to more than half of the surviving mountain gorilla population in the world. Buhoma is one of the sectors where you can trek mountain gorillas from and the Katwe gorilla family is one of the groups in this sector.

Buhoma is the oldest sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park with the oldest habituated gorilla family, this sector also has a variety of accommodation options where tourists can stay ranging from budget to mid-range to luxurious hotels. Many tourists prefer the Buhoma sector to and other sectors of the park because it is easily accessible than any other sector by road from Kampala.

Katwe mountain gorilla group is the newly habituated gorilla family in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park making the sector have four gorilla families to be trekked every day increasing the number of gorilla permits from 24 to 32 per day.

Katwe habituation took 3 years starting in 2015 and was opened for tourism in 2018, the family is made up of 10 members; 1 silverback, 3 black backs, 4 adult females, and 2 babies. Gorilla permits cost $700 foreign nonresidents, $600 foreign residents, and shs250,000 East African residents per person per trek.

Impact of Katwe gorilla family on Buhoma permits

With the introduction of the Katwe gorilla family in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, it means that the number of gorilla permits available every day for trekking in the Buhoma sector has increased from 24 to 32 gorilla permits. you should bear in mind that every gorilla family in Uganda, DR Congo, and Rwanda is supposed to be trekked by a maximum of 8 people per hour. Since the sector has been having only 3 gorilla families available for trekking namely Mubare, Rushengura, and Habinyanja, the introduction of the Katwe gorilla group has increased the number of permits.

How to access the Katwe gorilla family

For tourists interested in trekking Katwe gorilla family and other habituated gorilla families in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, you can travel by road from Entebbe or Kampala taking you about 9-10 hours, or fly from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi airstrip in Kisoro. Daily scheduled flights and charters can be arranged when Africa Adventure Vacations is contacted.

What is the best them to trek the Katwe gorilla family?

Katwe gorilla family can be visited at any time of the year but the best time to trek this gorilla family is during the dry season which occurs from June to September and December to January. It’s during these months that the roads are passable and the trails are dry.

What to pack for Katwe gorilla group trekking

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national requires one to be physically fit and you need to come along with enough drinking water, energy-giving snacks, insect repellents, good waterproof hiking shoes, good quality camera, sunscreen, a hat, garden gloves, long-sleeved clothes, and much more