Trekking Bitukura gorilla family
Trekking Bitukura gorilla family: Bitukura gorilla family is one of the many gorilla groups habituated for tourism in Bwindi gorilla park. The gorilla family can be found in Ruhija region of Bwindi gorilla park which is located in the eastern sector of the park. Bitukura gorilla family is among those that were habituated in Bwindi gorilla park for tourists to spend time with and learn about their habits. Mountain gorillas are said to be having more than 98% human DNA and so human beings want to trek them and know more about them.
Bitukura gorilla family is one of the peaceful mountain gorilla groups in Bwindi gorilla park. Habituating Bitukura gorilla group started in 2007 and ended in 2008 making it a gorilla family to be trekked in the shortest period ever in Bwindi gorilla park. Most of the gorilla families in Bwindi gorilla park get habituated for 2-3 years but Bitukura gorilla group was habituated for only 1 year.
Bitukura gorilla family has 4 silverbacks and Ndahura is the one leading the whole gorilla family. Apart from Ndahura, other silverbacks in Bitukura gorilla groupare Karamuzi, Rukumu, and Rukara. The name Bitukura was derived from River Bitukura in Ruhija sector where the family was first sighted.
At the time of habituation, Bitukura gorilla group had 24 members but as of today, the family has 14 members with Ndahura leading the group. The number of members in this family keeps on changing as a result of some members leaving the group, new deaths, and new births. To trek Bitukura gorilla group, you need gorilla trekking permits and these can be got from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Trekking Bitukura gorilla family
Trekking Bitukura gorilla family is like trekking any other family in Bwindi gorilla park. The activity starts with a briefing at the Ruhija park headquarters where trekkers learn about the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity before the armed ranger guides lead them into the jungle. Trekking starts early in the morning at 8 am and locating the gorilla family can take 2-7 hours depending on the location and the speed of trekkers.
The armed ranger guides lead the trekkers throughout the whole trek as they pass through steep slopes and rugged terrain. When the trekkers meet Bitukura gorilla group, they are given 1 hour to be around the mountain gorillas and watch them do daily activities such as hunting, nesting, eating, coupling, breastfeeding, and much more. While in the jungle, trekkers will meet different park mammals, primates, and birds.
Bitukura gorilla trekking permits
To trek Bitukura gorilla family, you need gorilla trekking permits and these are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority although they can be got from a trusted local tour operator. The gorilla trekking permits allow individuals to be around mountain gorillas for 1 hour learning about their habits, watching them do daily activities, and taking photos for memories back home.
The trekking permits for Bitukura permits are only 8 and are sold on a first come first serve basis. Each gorilla trekking permit for Bitukura gorilla groupcosts $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and shs250,000 citizens of East Africa. Travelers that want to trek a particular gorilla family of their choice must book in advance and inform their local tour operators about the families they want to trek.
A member of Bitukura Gorilla family captured in Ruhija sector during gorilla trekking
Rules and regulations of trekking Bitukura gorilla group
Trekking Bitukura gorilla groupstarts early in the morning with a briefing at Ruhija sector offices where trekkers are taught about the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking and these include
Sanitizing before heading into the jungle
Trekkers with signs of transmitted diseases are not allowed to trek
Littering in the park is not allowed
Voices must be kept low while trekking
Trekkers must stay in their group
Trekkers must keep 7 meters away from the gorillas
Trekkers must avoid looking directly into the eyes of mountain gorillas
Cameras that have flash are not allowed when photographing mountain gorillas
If a trekker wants to cough or sneeze, they must turn away from the gorillas
When a trekker wants to pee, they must ask their ranger to dig for them a hole after using it they must cover it.
When to trek Bitukura gorilla group?
Bitukura gorilla family is open for trekking at any time of the year but there are certain months that are better than the rest. the dry months that occur from June to September and December to February are the best for trekking Bitukura gorilla groupbecause they are characterized by little or no rainfall which leaves the trekking rails dry, the vegetation is short and scattered giving clear views of the gorillas and the roads leading to the park are in good conditions.
Tourists that want to have huge discounts on accommodation facilities can trek mountain gorillas of Bitukura gorilla groupduring the rainy season because the accommodation rates are very low. During the rainy season which occurs from June to September and December to February, the trekking trails are muddy and slippery because of heavy rainfall, the roads leading to the park are in poor conditions and the vegetation is very thick giving unclear views of the park animals.
A camera is very essential in storing videos and pictures taken during gorilla trek for future use
Packing list for Bitukura gorilla family trekking
The packing list for Bitukura gorilla group trekking includes waterproof hiking shoes, cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, rain jacket, gardening gloves, a hat, sunscreen, a camera, a pair of binoculars, insect repellents, sanitizer, facemask, drinking water bottle and energy-giving snacks.
Accommodation while trekking Bitukura gorilla group
Travelers intending to visit Bwindi and trek this gorilla group have to choose accommodation facility in Ruhija sector of the park. The region has a lot of accommodation facilities ranging from budget to mid-range to luxury options and these include Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern.
