Ruhija Gorilla Groups

Ruhija Gorilla Groups in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park- The sector is close to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park famous for tree climbing lions and also near Kabale town in southwestern Uganda.

Ruhija sector was opened up for gorilla habituation in 2006 and later gorilla trekking in 2008, the sector has only 2 mountain gorilla groups open for trekking, and one group was dedicated for research purposes but later was open for trekking and the other old group split into two groups.

Habituated gorilla families that can be found in the Ruhija sector include:

Bitukura gorilla family

Bitukura gorilla family was habituated in 2007 comprising of 24 individuals but due to fights within the 4 silverbacks in the same group, some of the group members decided to move to other areas. Bitukura mountain gorilla family got its name from the river Bitukura where these mountain gorillas were first sighted. Bitukura was the easiest gorilla family to trek because it took the group less than 2 years to get habituated. Ne interesting thing about this gorilla family is that its led by the second youngest of the four silverbacks which are not so common with gorilla families as the oldest is the one always heading the group.

Oruzogo gorilla family 

Oruzogo gorilla family was opened for gorilla trekking in 2011. The family is one of the most interesting gorilla families you can visit well and it’s famous for its many infants and their playful character. Oruzogo gorilla family is dominated by a silverback called Bakwate. Oruzogo gorilla family is made up of 22 members with 3 silverbacks and has become one of the favorite gorilla families to trek because of the joyful infants that entertain trekkers.

Kyaguliro gorilla family 

Kyaguliro gorilla family was first dedicated for research purposes but later was opened for gorilla trekking, the dominating silverback that led the group at the time of habituation was called Rukina and it died of lightning in 2015. After Rukina’s death, another silverback Mukiza took over the leadership of the group but an immigrant silverback from the Bitukura gorilla family came in and began fights making the group separate into two to form Mukiza gorilla family led by Mukiza comprising of 1 silverback, 1 adult, 4 adult females, and 4 infants as well as Kyaguliro gorilla family led by Rukara which has 10 members comprising of 1 silverback, 2 blackbacks, 3 adults, 2 juveniles, and 2 infants. This group is the oldest habituated gorilla family in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park being habituated in 1995.

Mukiza gorilla family 

Mukiza mountain gorilla family formerly known as Kyaguliro B is the newly introduced gorilla family in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The group was formed at a time Mukiza separated from the Kyaguliro gorilla family to start up its own gorilla family. Kyaguliro gorilla family was led by Rukina until his death then its Mukiza dominated the group, however so immigrant Silverback from the Bitukura gorilla family can in to fight Mukiza and took over the group though Mukiza broke off with some members to form the Mukiza gorilla group he is now leading. Mukiza gorilla family is made up of 12 members namely 1 silverback, 6 adult females, 1 sub-adult female, 2 juveniles, and 2 infant females.

How to access Ruhija sector Bwindi Forest National park

Getting to Ruhija to track any of the gorilla groups is very simple! Visitors can get to the Ruhija sector by using road transport directly from Entebbe international airport and it takes 8-9hours to drive as you make a stopover at the equator for some snacks and lunch. Though 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 Ruhija gorilla sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. While accessing the Ruhija sector 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 Ruhija. You can as well opt to use air transport to connect to the Ruhija sector by having a scheduled charter flight from Entebbe international airport/Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi airfield which is located in Kanungu district.

Accommodation facilities in Ruhija Sector Bwindi Forest National Park.

Ruhija Gorilla trekking sector 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 Gift of Nature Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, broadbill Tented Forest Camp, and luxury accommodation facility can be seen at Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge. You can as well stay in lodges, camps, and hotels which are adjacent Ruhija sector.