Buhoma sector the trekking trailhead of Bwindi, is situated in the northern side of Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park, Buhoma side or region is exceptionally one of the four most incredible trekking regions that you shouldn’t miss to trek while on mountain gorillas’ encounter in Uganda. This region features as a most famous as the oldest trailhead in Uganda given when it comes to mountain gorilla adventures.
Buhoma sector sits on an altitude of 1160m to 2607m above sea level. It is located on the northern boundary of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
This sector is a pioneer of the gorilla trekking activity in Bwindi forest and Uganda in general. The sector was the first to host the group of gorilla trekkers when Mubale gorilla family was opened for trekking in 1993, it remained the only trailhead for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and this attracted the establishment of several lodges that include high-ends safari lodges.
Despite the opening of three other trailheads, Buhoma remains the most popular location for gorilla trekking and it remains the most booked fast destination. The gorilla families in Buhoma sector is Mubale, Rushegura, Tatwa, Binyindo, Muyambi and Habinyanja.
It is in sector where other walks have developed including; the Munyaga River Trail in the valley of Buhoma which is a short walk for viewing birds and primates along the forest edge. The waterfall trail which passes beneath tree ferns, epiphytic ferns as well as orchids to visit three dazzling waterfalls. The Rushura Hill Trail, Muzabajiro Loop Trail and River Ivi Trail, of which the latter follows an old road through the forest emerging near Nkuringo on the southern edge of the Impenetrable forest. The Buhoma community walk and cultural experience which takes up to three hours visiting a typical homestead, the traditional healer and a banana beer brewery is organized by the local community. Of recent the Batwa cultural experience has been developed in the section of the park.
It is very easy to trek gorillas in Buhoma sector, the drive takes you through Ntungamo and Rukungiri before connecting to Butogota and eventually to Buhoma. The accommodations in Buhoma are ranges from top notch Gorilla Forest Lodge, the luxury Buhoma lodge, mid-range Silverback lodge and the Budget lodges like KFC Mist lodge, Ride for woman Buhoma community Rest camp.
Buhoma sector is composed of the following habituated Gorilla groups / families;
The Mubale gorilla family, this group is known as M-group, one of the ancient Gorilla groups that were habituated in 1991. Mubale gorilla group was first trekked by visitors as early as 1993; this group got its name from the most magnificent Mubale hills. At first there were only twelve family members in this group but when their leader Ruhondeza died, only five of them remained. In 2013, Mubale gorilla group was joined by four other mountain gorillas which increased the number to 9 family members including the silverback, black back, one adult female and two juveniles. This group comprises of nine individuals and was also later led by Kanyonyi silverback plus Kashundwe as an infant.
The Binyindo family was habituated in 2021 and the family has 6 members, unlike other groups, the Binyindos home range is above the river trail on the border with Sarambwe Nature Reserve in D R Congo.
The Rushegura family is one of the 3 families to be habituated first in 1993 and has 19 members in the family, making it one of the largest groups in Bwindi. It was named after Kishegura, one of the best Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger guides who discovered the group and also created trails to trek it. The group feeds on the hill not far from the visitor center, making it easier to trek. This is not always the case the groups’ home range is rather large, spanning from the lower slopes above Munyaga River to Mubale hill.
The Habinyanja family was also known as group H, Habinyanja is Bwindi 4th largest Gorilla group by composition. The family has 17 family members led by a mature silverback, making it ideal for those intending to see many gorillas gathered together. The trail heads to the group’s home range are far from the center and require taking short drive first. This means that trekking can be challenging due to the nature of terrain and visitors expect not to return soon.
The Muyambi family, this is newest family in Buhoma, Muyambi has 6 members in family including a silverback. The group was opened for tourism in 2020, thus ideal for those intending to see fresh gorillas that have just passed the habituation process.
The Katwe family group of gorilla has 11 members is also among the newly habituated in Buhoma Bwindi forest. The exact number of these family members keeps on fluctuating, but rangers have observed some of them including the dominant male silverback, adult females and infants in the family.
Batwa Visits, the most authentic in Bwindi is the Batwa experience is provided in the Buhoma sector. There is an organized Batwa community where you can have a half day encounter in a patch of the private forest the real Batwa Experience. The experience takes you through a fascinating insight into how the Batwa lived within the forests before they were evicted to create a safe haven for the mountain gorillas. Some of the traditions to experience include traditional forest life that was characterized with hunting, honey harvesting, fruit gathering and much more. The Batwa experience is offered by the Batwa Development Program.
The Bird Watching in Buhoma is a rewarding base for birdwatchers hosting over 195 bird species. The area largely low-altitude forest bird species including ten Albertine endemics. Among the popular sightings in Buhoma include the Greta Blue Toraco, Bar Tailed Tragon, several Greenbuls among others.
One of the popular trails to follow while birding through Buhoma is the Munyaga river trail. They also offer great opportunities with sightings of an average of number over 40 bird species on a morning birding session.
You may ask how to get to Buhoma sector; Buhoma region takes an entire10 to 11 hours drive from Entebbe International Airport or kampala city center, but it takes 6 – 7 hours drive from Lake Mburo national park, it also takes 4 to 6 hours from Kigali international airport or from Katuna border point it takes 3 to 4 hours to Buhoma and 2 to 3 hours from Queen Elizabeth national park. Its approximately to Queen Elizabeth National park especially the southern region- Ishasha makes it the most accessible areas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park.
Alternatively, there are scheduled flights which land in Kihihi airfield and then you connect to Buhoma visitor’s center by car its one and half hours drive but this depends on the nature of road network. There are charter flights starting from Entebbe International Airport or Kajansi airfield to Kihihi. Its easy accessibility makes it one of the best areas that you consider in your next vacation in Uganda.
Visitors on safari to Buhoma impenetrable forest national park can easily to connect to Ruhija that is located in Eastern side of the park. This means that visitors can still connect from other region and trek gorilla families in Buhoma. Travelers take one to two hours drive from Buhoma to Ruhija sector. The tourists can also trek in Nkuringo sector which is in the southern side of the park where you can take a walk from in the middle of the forest. The Nkuringo safari walk trail takes visitor approximately 3 hours.
I n conclusion, Mirama hills safaris as we proud of Buhoma sector is one of perfect trailheads that you need to consider visiting while on gorilla safari in uganda but the only challenge is gorilla permits sold first and get over earlier but also other sectors gives you a great and memorable trekking experience like in Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija sectors. With the above information, we believe that you will have the amazing time in Buhoma area book with us for the great lifetime safari.
