Rushaga Sector of Bwindi; History, Gorilla Groups and Lodges :
Rushaga Sector is a popular gorilla trekking region in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda with different mountain gorilla groups, Batwa communities and outstanding lodges.
Rushaga Sector is one of the 4 sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest found in the southern regions of the park lying between Kabale and Nkuringo districts famously known for holding the largest number of endangered mountain gorillas compared to other sectors.
It is comprised of 5 gorilla families namely Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye and Bweza gorilla families that are subdivided, found on different hills of the region, each documented to have at least 40 gorillas.
The rolling hills of Rushaga sector also offer uninterrupted magnificent views of distant Virunga mountains of Rwanda, the Forest Canopy, Mgahinga, Bisoke and Lake Mutanda ad so much much
The love for watching these endangered mountain gorilla species will always lead you into the thick trails of Bwindi to encounter with these amazing primate species.
Brief History and Facts of Rushaga Sector:
Rushaga as a name was derived from the hard wood trees that had dominated the rolling hills of Bwindi Forest which made lumbering to be one of the major economic activities of the people who lived around the forests by that time in the early 1970’s.
The fine timber cut was exported to the neighbouring countries of Uganda, that’s Kenya and Rwanda and others to Ugandan cities, Kabale and Kampala. During that process of extracting timber from the forest, a passable road was created from the main road deep into the forest to Rushaga from where it proceeded to the Mpororo gold mines.
Currently, apart from giving you access to Rushaga, the road is a good destination for nature walks as it fully immerses you into the wild, with splendid views of nature offering very relaxing and refreshing moments.
All the economic activities majorly mining, hunting and lumbering, that were very profitable to the local, taking place in the region where put on hold, declaring them illegal in 1990 by the government when the forest received a gazetment status. conservation rules and regulations were put in place paving way for conservation of the gentle giants.
This saddened the locals, the Batwa people locally known as the forest people, the first inhabitants of Bwindi Forest who are believed to have lived there for more than 1,ooo years were seen being evicted from their homes, in the forests to its outside to join the Bakiga locals who were living just adjacent to Bwindi forests.
Restrictions on the access to the forest led to an outbreak of famine in the Rushaga local families and to survive without depending on the forest, they resorted to subsistence farming, growing crops like maize, beans, Irish and sweet potatoes, millet and sorghum majorly for their own consumption and sell the balance to get basic necessities like kerosene, soap, salt, medication and school necessities for their children.
However, the indigenous people to the forest, the Batwa people, who had never imagined life without Bwindi Forest, found it very hard to come up with life outside it. The opening of the forest to mountain gorilla tourism in 2,000, particularly in Rushaga sector brought them joy and restored hope in their hearts for those who understood the value that was coming with it.
Different mountain gorilla groups started being habituated in the sector by Uganda Wildlife Authority starting with Nkuringo gorilla family, followed by Nshongi group. The sector was officially opened for tourism in 2009.
Since that year, ways of living started improving among the locals. Investors were attracted to construct hotels and lodges which as results led to employment opportunities to the locals, park rangers and guides living in the area attracted investment in rentals, more retail shops, hand craft shops.
Local markets were also opened up targeting majorly a cent from tourists to this destination. They got serviced with Hydro Electric Power and their standard of living indeed changed.
Today the locals, for a decade now, are celebrated each year for the conservation efforts they have put in, it is amazing to know that people who were once poachers in the forest that are now among the support staff team, working hand in hand with the management to conserve wildlife in Bwindi forest.
Currently apart from being a home to the famous mountain gorillas holding 5 habituated gorilla families, with each family estimated to have more than 40 gorillas making the sector to have more gorillas compared to other sectors of Bwindi impenetrable national park.
It is becoming the top destination of encountering the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rushaga sector is also a habitat to a diverse of animal, birds and plant species. Rushaga sector is a perfect destination for mountain climbing, nature walks, cultural encounters.
Still Rushaga sector is the only sector of Bwindi offering Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience introduced as a new tour package by Uganda Wildlife Authority to allow tourists to spend at least 4hrs with a specific assigned gorilla family instead of the the standard 1hour assigned to a typical gorilla trek experience.
This is done to help mountain gorillas get wildlife familiarity in the presence of humans.
Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga Sector;
Gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector starts with a mandatory per-tracking briefing at the park headquarters. Rangers share information about the safety measures, gorilla behavior, gorilla trekking guidelines and park rules plus brief history of the conservation process of the mountain gorillas.
Trackers are then divided into groups of 8 people with each assigned to a specific gorilla family which are then accompanied by armed rangers for safety, porters to assist on caring trekking gear and experienced guides, then you embark on the adventurous journey, taking trails, immersing yourselves deep into the dense forests, hiking for a couple of minutes or hours depending on the gorilla location.
Once your gorilla family is located, you have only one hour observed them and as much pics as you wish. The same process applies to trackers on a Gorilla Habituation Experience only that for it takes 4 hrs and more with the gorillas.
Gorilla Families Found in Rushaga Region;
Nshongi Gorilla Family.
It is the largest of them all before the first split to get Mishaya gorilla family group. It used to comprise of 36 gorillas but after the split, it now consists of 26 gorillas with one dominant silver back, two overpowered silverback, 6 adult females, 2 adult male black backs 6 juveniles and four infants, (The population can change at any time).
The group currently split again to get Bweza gorilla family comprising of 10gorillas reducing the Nshongi group to 18members. Nshongi is the name of the gorilla which is leading the group peacefully with no fights over power from other silver-backs older than him.
Mishaya Gorilla Family.
Led by a silverback called Mishaya, a famously known fighter who split-ted away from Nshongi gorilla group because of some misunderstandings, going away with 7 females.
He gathered a lot more and he held up to 12 female mountain gorilla inclusive of 3 infants but currently the group consists of 7 gorillas caused due to continuous battles from the head that led to splits.
Kahungye Gorilla Family.
It is led by Rumansi, the dominant silverback. The group consisted of 13 female gorillas and 3 silverback and 2male black back gorillas. This group split and by that time it had grown big consisting of 27 members leading to formation of a new gorilla family called Busingye.
Busingye Gorilla Family.
Busingye silverback gorilla broke away from Kahungye and formed his own group which consisted of 9 mountain gorillas, 3 infants, 2 adult blackbacks and 4 females that he got through fighting other gorilla families he encountered, taking away their members to add to his group.
Bweza Gorilla Family.
An exciting, adaptable gorilla family consisting of 7 mountain gorillas inclusive 2 infants leaving under one silverback. Watching this gorilla family going about its daily life in the dense forests in peace leaves you with unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodations at Rushaga Sector;
Accommodations at Rushaga sector range from budget to mid-range to luxury suiting all traveler’s budget needs featured with well-maintained rooms, a bar, and a restaurant offering local and international dishes, with splendid views of nature offering a unique experience and comfortable stay while on your adventurous activities in Rushaga sector.
The top 10 Safari Lodges in Rushaga Sector include;
- Four Gorillas Lodge.
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge.
- Bweza Gorilla Lodge.
- Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge.
- Gorilla Valley Lodge.
- Rushaga Gorrilla Camp.
- Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge.
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.
- Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge.
- Nshongi Camp.