Rushaga Gorilla Sector In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Rushaga Gorilla Sector In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park : Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in the rugged southwest of Uganda, is one of only two mountain gorilla habitats in the world. In four sectors around the park, the rainforest reserve is home to about 200 completely habituated mountain gorillas for tourism and research, protecting over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is too big to hike or trek, covering 331 square kilometers (127 square miles). To make it easier for visitors and researchers to reach the habituated gorilla families, Uganda Wildlife Authority separated the sanctuary into four zones. Trekkers can observe gorillas in the Buhoma area from the north. Rushaga is 18 kilometers (11 miles) distant, Nkuringo is to the south, and Ruhija lies to the east of the park.

One of the four Bwindi gorilla trekking areas in Uganda’s southern Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is Rushaga Sector. 2012 saw the opening of this newest area. The remaining Bwindi Forest sectors are Nkuringo in the south, Buhoma in the north, and Ruhija in the east.
In addition to having the most habituated gorilla families in the Bwindi forest, Rushaga is the only sector in Uganda that provides gorilla habituation experiences outside of gorilla trekking adventure

Rushaga is one of the most popular gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda because of the large number of habituated gorilla families. The head of the Rushaga Gorilla Trail is ideally situated to provide breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanic mountains.

Rushaga is home to numerous habituated gorilla groups in comparison to other Bwindi gorilla trekking sites. Since only eight visitors are permitted to visit each of the eight gorilla families each day, Rushaga sells 64 permits daily. To engage in gorilla trekking tours, one must have a gorilla permit, just like in any other gorilla sector. Once you locate gorillas in their native habitat, the gorilla permit ensures that you will be able to spend an hour with them.

Gorilla families in Rushaga sector

Nshongi family

One of the biggest habituated groups in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park’s Rushaga section is the Nshongi family. The Nshongi River, a notable feature in the park that existed before the family became accustomed to it, is the source of its name.

With 36 members coexisting peacefully, the Nshongi Gorilla family was presented to tourists as the largest habituated family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park when it was established in 2009.

The local meaning of the term “Nshongi” is “Omushongi Gwobuki,” which translates to “honey.”  With 36 members including three silverbacks and seven black backs this family is among the largest among the habituated groups and they live in harmony with one another. But as time went on, the family’s size shrank to 26 as some members branched off to form their own families.

Kahungye family

Another family of 27 gorillas, including three silverbacks, may be seen at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The head silverback, Gwigi, which means “door” in the local dialect, commanded the group after Kahungye broke away, leaving 13 family members. With 13 members, the group opened to the public in October 2011, expanding the number of mountain gorilla trekking locations in the Rushaga district.

Busingye family

The Rushaga area is where the nine-member Busingye family resides. The meaning of the name “Busingye” is “peace.” Busingye was formerly a part of the Kahungye family, but in 2012, the group split apart, leaving just seven people. The size of the family has increased over time.

Busingye, who has a reputation for being outspoken, has been seen arguing with other groups. She was fond of stealing black women’s backs from them. It is because of this domination that the Busingye family has grown from seven to nine members.

Bweza family

Under Bweza’s leadership, the Bweza family was established in December 2012. In the local context, this signifies being “more productive” following a separation from family. Three adult females, one sub adult, two newborns, four black backs, and two silverbacks make up Alfa Silverback Bweza. It’s a diverse and fascinating bunch, and after splitting from the Nshongi group over feuds, rangers believed the family would reunite, but the split grew indefinite.

Mishaya family

The renowned Mishaya gorilla family is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Rushaga gorilla area. The silverback Mishaya, the family’s leader, is the source of their name. This family was formerly a member of the Nshongi gorilla family, but Mishaya eventually split off to form his own family. Mishaya was a fierce individual who would constantly raid other groups of non-habituated gorillas and steal their ladies. The Mishaya family had just seven members when they split up, but over time, that number rose to twelve. The only silverback in this family is Mishaya.

Rwigi family

One of the recently habituated gorilla families in the Rushaga section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the Rwigi family, which takes its name from the alpha male silverback Rwigi. This family was formerly a part of Kahungye’s large family, but the silverback Rwigi made the decision to relocate following internal strife. He brought some ladies and babies from the Kahungye gorilla family to start his family.

Mucunguzi family

A family in the Rushaga sector is known as Savior, which is the English translation of the Rukiga term Mucunguzi. The silverback Mucunguzi, the family’s leader, inspired the name. The history of this family’s creation is fascinating. Mucunguzi was the third in leadership of the silverbacks in the Bweza family, which is where it all started.

Following a misunderstanding, Mucunguzi was expelled from the family by the dominant alpha for disobedience. The unpleasant reality of being isolated in the hostile Rushaga region was presented to Mucunguzi. After a brief existence, Mucunguzi concluded that he needed a family and that now was his moment. After invading the Bikingi gorilla family, Mucunguzi seized some of the females for himself. There are currently ten members of the Mucunguzi family, nine of whom are female.

Bikingi family

The Rushaga region of Bwindi is still home to the Bikingi gorilla family. It was created in the wake of the Mishaya gorilla family’s untimely death. The Mishaya family was formerly strong under the valiant leadership of Mishaya the Silverback. A savage warrior, he often expanded his family by capturing other girls from other homes.

After suffering from intestinal blockage, Mishaya passed away on February 3, 2014. Because Mishaya was the sole silverback in his family, all of the other females, including the Bikingi family, dispersed. The family is still habituated and closed to trekking since the majority of the females in the former Mishaya to Bikingi family were not habituated.

Cost of gorilla permits in Bwindi impenetrable Nationl Park

For gorilla trekking and habituation experience in Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park requires gorilla permits and these permits are issued by an authorized organization known as Uganda Wildlife Authority. Gorilla trekking permits cost USD 800 for foreign non residents, USD 700 for foreign non residents and UGX 300,000 for East African Citizens.

Gorilla habituation permits cost USD 1,500 for foreign nonresidents, 1,000 for foreign residents and UGX 750,000 for East African Citizens.

Other tourist activities in Rushaga Sector

Forest treks and nature walks, Community visits to observe Batwa the original occupants of Bwindi Forest, hiking tours, bird watching.

Conclusion

For any gorilla activity, the Rushaga gorilla sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a one-stop destination. Rushaga is the only sector in Uganda that provides gorilla habituation experiences in addition to gorilla trekking safaris. Visitors may be guaranteed they will see these endangered mountain gorillas because there are more than eight habituated gorilla groups. Rushaga provides unparalleled gorilla experiences and stunning views of the Virunga mountain ranges in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite the sector’s distance from Bwindi.