Trekking Bweza gorilla family
Trekking Bweza gorilla family: Bweza gorilla group found its home in Rushaga sector which is located in the southern part of Bwindi gorilla park. Bweza gorilla group is one of the gorilla families that are located Rushaga sector in Bwindi gorilla park for trekking purposes. Bwindi gorilla park is found in the southwestern part of Uganda protecting 10 primate species, 120 mammals, and about 350 bird species.
Bweza gorilla family was part of the Nshongi gorilla which was the largest mountain gorilla family in Bwindi at that time. Nshongi gorilla family spilt into different groups because of misunderstanding and fights and among the new groups that were formed include Bweza gorilla family. Bweza a silverback leading Bweza gorilla family spread away from Nshongi group in 2013 to form his own.
As of today, Bweza gorilla family has 12 members that are led by a silverback called Kakono and are interesting to trek. Bweza gorilla family can be trekked from Rushaga region of Bwindi gorilla park at any time of the year and only 8 people can trek this family. Other gorilla families found in Rushaga sector include Busingye gorilla family, Kahungye, Kutu family, Mucunguzi, Bikingi, Nshongi, and Mishaya.
Bweza gorilla group
Trekking Bweza gorilla family starts with a briefing at the sector offices where wardens check if the trekkers have valid gorilla trekking permits and also teach them about the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity. 8 people trek Bweza gorilla family and all treks are led by armed ranger guides that lead the trekkers through the jungle.
Finding Bweza gorilla family can take 2-7 hours and the time depends on the location of the gorilla group as well as the speed of trekkers. During the search, the trekkers are able to meet different park animals such as buffaloes, antelopes, elephants, olive baboons, monkeys, a number of birds, and much more. The moment the gorilla family is sighted, the trekkers are given 1 hour to be around this gorilla group, watch them do daily activities, and take photos.
Gorilla trekking permits for Bweza gorilla family
There are only 8 gorilla trekking permits for Bweza gorilla group and they are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Each of the trekking permits for Bweza gorilla family costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX250,000. The gorilla trekking permits can be bought from a trusted local tour operator and travelers are advised to book their permits in advance.
A group of trekkers being briefed on the DO’s and DONT’s before trekking Bweza Gorilla Family
Rules and regulations of trekking Bweza gorilla group
Tourists must attend the briefing that is conducted early in the morning at the sector offices
Tourists with transmitted diseases such as cough and flue will not be allowed to trek
Only 8 people trek Bweza gorilla family
Trekkers must keep their voices low while in the jungle
Trekkers that want to pee must inform their rangers to dig for them holes which they must cover after
Littering in the park is not allowed
When trekkers meet Bweza gorilla groupthey are around it for only 1 hour
Photographing mountain gorillas is used by a camera that have no flash
Trekkers are not allowed to look direct into the eyes of the mountain gorillas
What to park for Bweza gorilla family trek?
The most essential things to carry during your safari to trek Bweza gorilla groupinclude long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, waterproof hiking shoes, cotton stocks, gardening gloves, a pair of gaiters, a warm sweater, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellents, sanitizer, drinking water bottle, and energy-giving snacks.
Best time to visit Bweza gorilla group
Bweza gorilla group in Rushaga region of Bwindi is available for trekking at all times of the year but the dry season is the best to trek this gorilla group. The dry season occurs from June to September and December to February and during such months, there is little or no rainfall, the trekking trails are dry, the vegetation is short with clear views of gorillas and the roads leading to the park are passable.
Bweza gorilla can still be trekked in the rainy season and those that come in that period will enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. The dry season occurs from March to May and October to November and is characterized by little or no rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall and thick with unclear views of the mountain gorillas, photography is not clear and the roads leading to the park are impassable.
A view of Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Where to stay
Travelers going to trek Bweza gorilla group in Bwindi gorilla park must book accommodation facilities of Rushaga sector. The sector has accommodation facilities ranging from budget to mid-range to luxury options with where to stay depending on your budget and these include Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, and Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge.
Accessing Rushaga to trek Bweza gorilla family
Rushaga sector of Bwindi gorilla park can be accessed using chattered flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip within 2 hours. Flights to Rushaga sector land at Kisoro airstrip where travelers meet their driver guides to transfer them to the park.
Travelers using road transport can access Rushaga sector in Bwindi gorilla park using Kampala/Entebbe via Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale- Kisoro Road where they branch at a road west of Muko and drive to the sector with a whole journey taking 9-10 hours. The shortest road transport route is from Kigali to Uganda crossing at Cyanika border in Kisoro and driving to the park.
