Ruhija Gorilla families
Ruhija Gorilla families
Ruhija Gorilla families : Ruhija Sector is one of the four (4) gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi impenetrable National Park situated in the East regions of the Bwindi forest, the sector sits at an altitude of above 2,500 meters boasting unmatched views of forest ridge after forest ride all the way to the Virunga Mountains. The Rwamunyonyi peak at 2,607 m also known as “hill of many birds” is the highest and coldest point in Bwindi Forest, the hill has a swamps and it can be hiked.
Rushaga Sector hosts 4 habituated gorilla families namely the Bitukura gorilla family, Oruzongo family, Mukiza and Kyaguriro family.
In addition to being a home to the endangered mountain gorillas, Ruhija sector is the only sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park were elephants are available. There are also monkeys and antelopes.
Ruhija Sector is relatively quiet than other sectors of Bwindi impenetrable National park, thus being a great option for visitors seeking for a more solitude destination while on their Uganda gorilla safari.
Ruhija Sector’s location closer to Queen Elizabeth National Park thus the best option to add on your Uganda safari itinerary with Bwindi impenetrable national park.
About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most popular gorilla destination in Uganda and the world at large, the park is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population with 21 families of mountain gorillas roaming in the thick rain forests of Bwindi.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the South Western region of Uganda along the Democratic Republic of Congo border next to the Virunga National Park on the rim of the Great Rift Valley.
Gorilla Families in Ruhija Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bitukura Gorilla Family
Bitukura Gorilla Family is a family of 14 family members including four silverbacks under the leadership of a dominant Silverback Ndahura, this group’s habituation process started in 2007 and the group was later opened for gorilla trekking in October 2008.
Member of this gorilla family was first sighted near Bitukura River thus the name “Bitukura’, during the habituation of the Kyaguriro group some members of the Bitukura gorilla group were encountered by the rangers and they were never hostile and they noted to have become accustomed to human company faster than other gorilla groups in this and sector and Bwindi as well.
Initially this gorilla group consisted of 24 members but due to deaths and fights amongst the group, some member split leaving the group with current 14 member including 4 silverbacks, 4 adult females, 3 juveniles and 1 infant.
The dominant silverback of the group Ndahura is known to be a peaceful leader.
Oruzongo Gorilla Family
The Oruzogo family is a family of 17 members with one silverback, this gorilla group is loved by visitors because of its joyful and playful individuals that entertained the visitors.
Oruzongo Gorilla Group was opened for tourism in 2011 after a habituation process, initially the group had 25 members with two silverbacks. Currently the group has 17 members with one Silver Tibirikwata who is also the head of the family with 2 black backs, 7 females, 2 young adults and 5 infants.
Oruzongo gorilla family derives its name from a particular plant in the region near its home where it was first spotted, this group become famous in 2013 when its members gave birth to a set of twins by a female – Kankonda. This group is very playful making it a joy to watch to visiting visit the group.
Mukiza Gorilla Family
Mukiza Gorilla Family also known as Kyaguliro B is a group of 13 gorilla members under the leadership of dominant Silverback Mukiza, this group was formed in 2016 after the split from the parent Kyaguriro group also known as Kyaguriro B.
Mukiza gorilla family is primarly dedicated to gorilla research by Manx Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-Evan), initially the group had 10 members and currently has 13 individuals including 1 silverback, 6 adult females, 1 sub- adult, 2 juveniles and 3 infants.
Kyaguriro Gorilla Family
Kyaguriri Gorilla Family is a special group set aside for research and habituation purposes, the group was initially made up of 20 members with Rukina as the dominant silverback. He was struck by lightning which caused his death, the group’s leadership was left in the hands of the immature Mukiza in 2016. Later fights erupted between Mukiza and Rukara which led to the splitting of the group into two that is Kyaguriro A with 10 members and Kyaguriro B with 10 members.
Kyaguriro (Kyaguriro A) is headed by a dominant silverback Rukara with 10 members comprising of 1 silverback, 2 black bucks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants.
Where to stay in Ruhija Sector – Bwindi impenetrable National Park
Ruhija Sector has a few accommodation options and the most notable accommodations are Bakiga Lodge and Gorilla Mist Camp, other accommodation options can be got from Buhoma, Lake Bunyonyi and Kable Town.
When to visit Ruhija Sector – Bwindi impenetrable national park
Ruhija Sector can be visited all year round however the best time to visit is from June to August and December to February, these are the driest months in Uganda thus making trekking much more comfortable although rains are possible at any time for the year as Bwindi is situated in the equatorial climates
In the rain season that is from March to May and September to November, the conditions can make trekking more difficult as the trails become hard to navigate.
How to get to Ruhija Sector
By road – from Kampala, it is a drive of approximately 9 hours of driving, you will pass through Kabale town through Kabale Town and proceed to Ruhija. Ruhija Sector can also be accessed from Kigali, Rwanda which is approximately 4-5 hours’ drive.
By air – there are daily flights from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe International airport to Kihihi Airstrip taking approximately 1.5 hours, then connect to Ruhiji sector on a drive of 1-2 hours.
