Gorilla permit and safari holiday booking in Ruhija sector

Ruhija sector is located in the Eastern part of Bwindi Forest and is one of the 4 sectors that is Nkuringo, Rushaga and Buhoma into which Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is sub divided for administrative purposes. There are 32 gorilla permits available for booking each day and need specification on which sector you want to trek. Ruhija has gorilla families like Kyaguriro, Mukisa, Bitukura and   Oruzongo. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park offers visitors an opportunity to see a variety of eye-catching bird species in Mubwindi swamp for example collared apalis, western green tinkerbirds, Rwenzori batis, mountain masked and chestnut throated apalises plus many others.

How to book gorilla permits and a safari holiday in Ruhija sector

Booking for Gorilla permit in Ruhija sector can be done through Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted tour company like Giant Holiday Safaris. Inform us about the day you would like to do a gorilla safari and how many permits you want to secure. you are supposed to clearly state that Ruhija sector is your most preferred choice and why. personal details like your name, date of birth, passport and expiry date are also required. These same details are filled on your reward certificate after completing the gorilla trek.

Payment is required before reservation because the number of gorilla permits is limited to maximumly 8 per family meaning that visitors that come first are served first.

Ruhija sector has only 32 gorilla permits available for public booking each day and these run out especially during peak seasons of January, June, July, August, September and December.

Cost of gorilla permits in Ruhija sector

Each gorilla permit costs 800 USD per permit per trek for foreign non-residents, 300,000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens and 700 USD for foreign residents.

Permit fee includes the following

Park entrance fee for the trek date, guide service fee, gorilla trekking security, mountain gorilla conservation, an hour with mountain gorillas and a certificate for participation.

Best time for booking a Gorilla trip in Ruhija sector

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is best visited during the dry season which covers January, June, July, August, September and December. During this season, primates are very active and are easily spotted which makes gorilla tracking easy. Roads are also dry which eases movement of tourists unlike the rainy season with muddy roads.

On the other hand, some tourists prefer the wet season which is in March, April, May and November because few people visit the park which favors visitors with a limited budget and those that love a peaceful and private experience. This season also comes with other advantages like lodge discounts and driver guide discounts.

This season also gives visitors a beautiful view of the lush greenery which is ideal for pictures.

Whichever season visitors choose to visit, they are advised to book gorilla permits in advance to avoid last minute panic and disappointments.

Best time for booking a gorilla permit in Ruhija sector

Gorilla permits are best booked 6 months to a year in advance during the peak gorilla trekking season and at least 3 months to the gorilla trekking date during the low season. This is because last minute purchases are always in vain and those on resale may be in another sector.

Is it possible to do gorilla trekking in another sector with a Ruhija gorilla permit?

It is impossible because gorilla permits are booked according to the sector and each has its own family. One must check which sector the permit is booked before reserving accommodation in one area.

It is advisable to book a permit whose sector is near your lodge because trekking areas of Bwindi are far apart so sleeping in another area means you must wake up in the dark and drive hurriedly to catch up with briefing at the park headquarters. This can be challenging because of foggy weather, fallen logs and slippery roads which may block your way.

Note that tourists that miss briefing may not be allowed into the park for gorilla trekking because this is when all the necessary rules and regulations concerning gorilla trekking are communicated to maintain security and safety for both visitors and gorillas.

Accommodation options for a Gorilla trip in Ruhija sector

Since Ruhija sector has few choices of accommodation, visitors can choose to spend a night in Buhoma sector which is approximately 42 kilometers to the briefing headquarters. The following are accommodation options available;

Ruhija accommodations include Broadbill camp, chameleon’s lodge and Ruhija gorilla lodge while Buhoma accommodations include Mahogany springs, Gorilla resort, Gorilla Forest camp and Engagi lodge. It takes 2 hours to drive from Buhoma to Ruhija sector meaning visitors should prepare their journey accordingly in order to catch up with morning briefing.

How to access Ruhija sector

Ruhija sector can be accessed by either road or air transport.

By road, Ruhija sector can be reached by a Kampala to Kabale to Ruhija drive. The journey from Kampala to Kabale is approximately 414 kilometers while Kabale to Ruhija it is about 47 kilometers.

By air, there are daily flights from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi airstrip.

Charter flights are also available at Entebbe airport or Kajjansi but need advance booking.

What is the duration for gorilla trekking in Ruhija sector?

It is difficult to determine the time gorilla trekking takes since finding mountain gorillas depends on conditions like distance of the gorilla food, weather conditions in the forest, the pace at which trekkers move and fights within gorillas. These factors determine the time tourists take to meet gorillas and make it even harder to determine the easiest family to trek. Some trekkers meet gorillas in 2 hours while others spend half a day which means maximum patience is needed during this journey.

Gorilla trekking needs physical fitness because the journey is long with a volcanic topography with plateaus and ridges however, porters are available to help you in carrying your belongings during the trek.

Assurance for finding mountain gorillas in Ruhija sector

Meeting mountain gorillas is a 99% sure deal because they are always occupying a particular area with food for some time until it is finished. They are also used to human presence and keep doing their daily activities once they are met.

A team of trackers follow gorillas in the wilderness every day before anyone visits to provide a report to the ranger station. After, rangers escort tourists once they are done with briefing.

According to Uganda Wildlife Authority refund policy, Trekkers who do not see gorillas are liable to a 75% refund of the total gorilla permit cost.

Is gorilla trekking in Ruhija sector safe?

Ruhija sector is safe for gorilla trekking though visitors need to be vigilant to personal security too. After briefing at the park headquarters, a ranger guide holds a machete and the other holds a riffle as they lead gorilla trekkers into the forest. They are so keen not to forget any trekker behind. Rangers keep constant radio call communication with the ranger station team incase backup is needed.

We advise you to be keen around other fauna in the forest that are not habituated to the presence of humans and may try to harm you.

You are also advised not to enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park without an escorting guide because you may get lost or be harmed by primates in the forest.

For more information about Ruhija sector, please contact Giant Holiday Safaris