Buhoma Sector

This comprehensive guide to Buhoma sector including mountain gorilla families, location, gorilla trekking, safari lodges, plus top trip itineraries.

Location: The Buhoma area is located in the Northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The Buhoma gorilla sector is found in southwestern Uganda. Buhoma is a remarkable region/area that is worth considering for a gorilla trekking adventure.

Buhoma sector for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) presents to you with a great opportunity to explore mountain gorillas in the wild.

Buhoma region is one of the best 4 gorilla sectors in Bwindi National Park. The Buhoma sector is comprised of habituated gorilla families including the Habinyanja group, Katwe, Rushegura, and Mubare gorilla groups.

Full list of gorilla group families in the Buhoma sector

Mubare gorilla group family

Mubare gorilla group is on the top list when it comes to gorilla trekking in Buhoma or Bwindi National Park. Mubare group was open to actual gorilla trekking in 1993 and comprised 12 individuals. It was led by Ruhondeza silverback gorilla unfortunately he died in June 2012 as a result of his old age. The leadership of the Mubare gorilla group was taken over by Kanyonyi Silverback. Mubare currently has 9 individuals comprising silverback, females, and babies.

Habinyanja gorilla group

The Habinyanja gorilla family is among the habituated gorilla groups in the Buhoma region. It underwent habituation from 1997 to 1999. Habinyanja was headed by Mugurusi silverback gorilla and later, Makara silverback took over. The group was split around 2002 forming the Rushegura gorilla group.

Rushegura gorilla group

The Rushegura gorilla group was originally part of the Habinyanja gorilla group. It broke away under the leadership of Mwirima Silverback. He left with about 7 individuals from Habinyanja and later, the group size increased to 19 members.

Muyambi group

Muyambi group is among the newly established groups in Buhoma. It was officially opened for gorilla trekking in 2019. The Muyambi gorilla family is comprised of 6 individuals, originally part of the Mubare group.

Katwe gorilla family

Katwe was newly opened for gorilla trekking in Buhoma and currently has 7 members. It is part of the Buhoma gorilla sector which is located in the northern Bwindi National Park.

Exciting things to do in Buhoma Sector in Bwindi National Park

Buhoma gorilla trekking

Gorilla tracking in Buhoma involves exploring different gorilla groups in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Mountain gorillas are iconic attractions to expect to encounter on the Buhoma sector gorilla trekking adventure.

To participate in the Buhoma sector gorilla tracking session, you should have a valid gorilla permit. Each of the gorilla permits costs USD 800 per person for all foreign nonresidents, USD 700 per person for foreign residents, USD 500 for the Rest of Africa tourists, and UGX 300,000 for the East African citizens.

A valid Buhoma gorilla permit can be booked through the local tour operator; info@adventureugandasafaris.com. Book your gorilla permit and entire gorilla safari in advance. The booking should be done at least 3-6 months before the actual date of visiting mountain gorillas in the jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Hiking

Buhoma is not only popular for gorilla trekking alone but also for guided hiking experiences. The sector features well-established trails worth conquering on a guided nature walk or hike. The most rewarding trails to consider for hiking in Buhoma include Rushura Trail, Muzubijiro Loop, River Ivy Trail, Waterfall Trail, and Munyanga River Trail.

Birding

If you are interested in exploring Bwindi National Park’s diverse birds, then embarking on birding tours should be a must-do. Buhoma is one enriching birding location in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP).

Some of the birds to expect to come across during the Buhoma sector birding tour include the Great blue turacos, barred long-tailed cuckoos, dusky twin spot, yellow-fronted canary, Rwenzori batis, and bared long-tailed cuckoos.

Other birds include Jameson’s anti-pecker, African blue catchers, blue-headed sunbirds, Klaas’s cuckoos, cape wagtails, common bulbul, and more. Birding in Buhoma Sector Birding in the Buhoma sector: Are you interested in Albertine endemic bird species and you aren’t sure of where to find them?

Biking or cycling

Cycling or biking is best enjoyed in the adjacent area to Buhoma and is the experience offered by Ride 4 a Woman. It is organized by Buhoma Community Rest Camp and involves exploring the 13 trail connecting up to Ivy River. It is a 6 to 7-hour cycling experience and allows you to spot some of the birds, primates, and beautiful scenery of the Buhoma area and its surroundings.

Batwa cultural experience

The Batwa cultural experience/encounter takes you on a thrilling interaction with the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa pygmies lived in the forest as hunters and gatherers for 1000s of years. They were evicted in 1991 when Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park was officially gazetted.

Safari Lodges in the Buhoma Sector

Top places to expect to book for an overnight stay in and around the Buhoma sector. They include Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Mahogany Spring Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, and Engagi Lodge.

Getting to the Buhoma sector

Buhoma sector/region/area is accessible by road and air. Taking a road trip to Buhoma involves driving from the heart of Kampala/Entebbe city through the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route. Traveling by road to Buhoma takes about 8-9 hours and a comfortable 4×4 tourist vehicle is essential for your smooth navigation to and from southwestern Uganda.

It is also possible to drive from Kigali through Katuna to Buhoma sector in Bwindi National Park. This is about 4-5 hours’ drive and still a 4×4 vehicle is useful for your road trip. If you are around Queen Elizabeth National Park, it is possible to drive up to Buhoma via the Ishasha sector about 3 3-hour drive.

By air; fly-in gorilla safaris in Uganda to Buhoma can begin from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airfield. A flight to Kihihi can take about 2 hours for you to get to Kihihi where you can be driven to the park for your adventures.

You may also need to know 

What is the elevation of Buhoma sector

Buhoma sector in Bwindi is set at the altitude of 1190 to 1540 meters. It is one of the best sectors for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

How many gorilla families are in Buhoma sector?

Buhoma sector is comprised of 5 gorilla groups. Four of these groups are open for gorilla tourism and one is available for research purposes.

What are the sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest?

The 4 sectors that make Bwindi National Park include Buhoma in the North, Nkuringo & Rushaga in the South, then Ruhija sector in the eastern end. Each of the sectors has fully habituated gorilla group families.

Popular Gorilla Safaris

• 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking
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• 5 Days Gorilla and wildlife safari
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• 5 Days Gorillas & Chimps Safari
• 8 Days Rwanda Safari
• 6 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Wildlife safari
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• 22 Days Uganda Rwanda Tour

Best time to visit Buhoma sector Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Best time to visit Buhoma sector in Bwindi National Park. Best time to visit Bwindi is June, July, August, and September. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley and its sites on an area of about 331 km² in size, and over 460 km from Kampala the capital of Uganda to Bwindi National Park.