Buhoma Sector, Bwindi: A Prime Gorilla Trekking Destination
Buhoma sector features among the 5 main regions where gorilla trekking in Uganda usually starts from. It is the Northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Kanungu district, Southwestern Uganda.
Buhoma region/sector also features as one of the 4 areas in Bwindi protected area where holidaymakers on Uganda gorilla safari begin their treks to see mountain gorillas. From Kampala/Entebbe, Buhoma region is approximately 8-9 hours’ drive away and from Kigali Rwanda-the Land of a Thousand Hills, it is 3-4 hours’ drive.
The sector sits within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of the world’s premier mountain gorilla destinations where all the 459 of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas live.
These unique creatures in the world exist within only 3 countries; Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Visiting Buhoma sector Uganda to track to see mountain gorillas in the wild remarkably rewards holidaymakers on gorilla safaris with strikingly lifetime experiences.
Compared to the rest of the gorilla trekking regions, Buhoma happens to be the only area in Uganda where the first gorilla family was habituated and also to be opened for gorilla tourism purposes.
While on gorilla safari in Buhoma, trekking Mubare gorilla family-Uganda’s oldest and first habituated gorilla group should be a must-do. This is one of Buhoma’s 4 habituated groups and it underwent habituation from 1991 till 1993.
Mubare group was originally sighted within the scenic Mubare hills hence its name and during habituation, it comprised of 12 family members led by then leader Ruhondeza silverback. Ruhondeza died at 50 and Kanyonyi took over when the family had only 9 family members.
Habinyanja group also happens to be part of the 4 habituated families of Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This particular gorilla trekking family underwent habituation process from 1997 to 1999 after it was spotted around the swamp.
After its habituation, the family group was led by Mugurusi silverback. It was later led by makara silverback gorilla after split of the group in 2002 and comprised of 17 members. Rushegura group-this broke off from Habinyanja gorilla family group and officially it was ready for trekking in 2000.
Unlike the other 3 gorilla groups of Buhoma, Rushegura gorilla family is considerably the most reachable from the northern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This family group is headed by Mwirima one of the calmest and peaceful silverbacks in Bwindi and it leads a family of 21 individuals.
Katwe gorilla family-of recent, Katwe and Christmas were the 2 newly habituated groups that Uganda Wildlife Authority officially opened for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park. Katwe a family of about 7 individuals is within Buhoma gorilla region while Christmas in Nkuringo in the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Safari Activities to Do in Buhoma Sector Uganda
Gorilla Trekking
While on Uganda safaris in Buhoma region of Bwindi, visitor experience is never complete without a trek to see mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is a great opportunity for holidaymakers to interact with the world’s rarest creatures-the mountain gorillas while in Bwindi’s jungles.
Visitors on a tour in Buhoma get a chance to explore anyone of the 4 habituated families; Katwe, Habinyanja, Rushegura and Mubare groups.
Interestingly, trekking mountain gorilla families in Buhoma is affordable with Uganda gorilla permits currently sold at $700 for non-residents, $600 for foreign residents while citizens within East African Community obtain theirs at Uganda shs. 250,000.
You can easily have your Buhoma gorilla permit booked through our reservation team or contact Uganda Wildlife Authority’s reservation team through a local tour operator.
You might also like to know; What is gorilla trekking.
Hiking/Nature Walks
A visit to Buhoma sector isn’t only about trekking to see mountain gorillas, there is also a chance to get close to nature through hiking/nature walks.
Tourists can take on any of the available nature trails including waterfall trail, River Ivy trail, Muzubijiro loop, Rushura trail, Munyaga river trail.
Bird Watching
Bird watching is one other most interesting activity holidaymakers on Uganda safaris come to enjoy in Buhoma region.
The region shelters a significant population of avifaunal species for birders to sight ranging from bared long tailed cuckoos, Rwenzori batis, Jameson’s anti peckers, yellow fronted canary, dusky twin spot, cape wagtail, Tambourine dove, African goshawk, common bulbul, African blue catcher, great blue turaco to blue headed sunbird and others.
Cycling/Biking
Cycling is also possible while you are on the Buhoma sector side. This is a remarkable community experience initiated by the Ride 4 a woman and usually arranged by Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
Cyclists ride for 13kms trail to Ivi River and during the 6 to 7 hours’ cycling, you will come across interesting birds, primates to mention but a few.
Batwa Trail Experience
The Batwa trail experience offers a memorable cultural encounter for holidaymakers on Uganda safaris in Buhoma sector.
The trail takes visitors via Buhoma community to meet with the Batwa pygmies to learn in-depth about their cultures, ancient methods for hunting and gathering, tradition. Afterwards, you get some interesting entertainment as they will dance for you.

Lodges to Stay at Whin Buhoma:
The available lodging alternatives at Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Silverback Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Mahogany Springs Camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp and others.
Accessing Buhoma Sector for a Holiday
Buhoma sector which sits along the Northern side of Bwindi National Park can be reached by road or by air.
By road, there is possibility to begin a trip from Entebbe/Kampala along Masaka-Mbarara connect to Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Butogota and then reach to Buhoma in the northern part of Bwindi in Kanungu district.
On this route, holidaymakers can spend about 8-9 hours to drive or take 3-4 hours from Kigali via Katuna border to Kabale or still after a game drive or boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park drive for 3 hours to Buhoma along Ishasha area with a chance to see the tree climbing lions.
Alternatively, take 2 hours on a flight from Entebbe airport/Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip.