Katwe gorilla family in the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The Katwe gorilla family, located in the park’s northern sector, is the latest addition to the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s roster of protected gorilla species. Tour companies and other interested parties may now make reservations for gorilla trekking in the area with the Katwe gorilla troop, which has been habituated, according to a statement from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
With the addition of the Katwe gorilla family, Buhoma is home to four habituated mountain gorilla families. At first, there were just three habituated mountain gorilla groups in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These were the Mubare group, which was the first gorilla family to be habituated and opened for gorilla trekking in 1993.
The Rushegura group, which is beloved by tourists who visit Buhoma for gorilla trekking, and the Habinyanja group. Please refer to our revised gorilla trekking paper or ask one of our safari designers to send it to you if you would want additional information about the families you may see when trekking in Bwindi.
Katwe gorilla family in Buhoma.
The habituation and completion of the Katwe gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park might have taken as long as three years. A technique called “gorilla habituation” is employed to help wild mountain gorillas adjust to human presence.
Among the Katwe gorilla families or groups found in the northern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there is one silverback leader, two cubs, and four females, according to credible sources. Gorilla families and hiking activities in Rwanda and Uganda are still a mystery, but Katland Safaris is on the ball when it comes to providing up-to-date information. By offering up-to-date information and reasonable costs for gorilla tours in both Rwanda and Uganda, we have maintained our position as the top tour operator in both countries.
Buhoma gorilla permits and the Katwe gorilla family
There are now 32 gorilla permits available for hiking in the Buhoma zone every day, up from 24 before the arrival of the Katwe gorilla troop to the Buhoma part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Keep in mind that no more than eight people should be trekking with habituated gorilla families in Rwanda and Uganda for an hour each.
There were previously just three habituated mountain gorilla families in Buhoma (Mubare, Habinyanja, and Rushegura), but the arrival of the Katwe gorilla group boosted the total number of permits available for this area. There are now more opportunities for tourists to go gorilla trekking in the Buhoma area, where they may see mountain gorillas.
Gorillas of the Katwe and Buhoma Groups
Within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Buhoma area is among the most sought-after locations for gorilla trekking. This is due to the fact that in 1993, the first group of tourists visited the Mubare gorilla group, and the location was the first to allow gorilla trekking. As a result of its long and illustrious past, the Buhoma area in northern Bwindi has grown rapidly, now offering a wide variety of lodges and extra activities.
Lodges in Buhoma are poised to reap the rewards of an influx of visitors once the Katwe gorilla family is acclimated. Along with Buhoma Community Camp, additional lodges in the Buhoma area include Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Haven Lodge Bwindi, Mahogany Springs, and Buhoma Lodge.
Among the reasonably priced gorilla safaris offered by Katland Safaris to see the mountain gorillas in Bwindi are three-day excursions departing from Entebbe/Kampala and three-day excursions departing from Kigali/Rwanda; a five-day safari featuring trekking with chimpanzees and gorillas; and a five-day safari including wildlife watching. Assuming you have sufficient time, we may arrange safaris ranging from 5 to 25 days.
The fact that Buhoma is located at the park’s lowest elevation is another reason why it is a popular area among visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Due to the fact that Buhoma is located at the base of Bwindi, it may seem that trekking gorillas in this location is much simpler than in others. Nevertheless, there is no concrete evidence to support this, and the matter is still up for debate.
Guests at Buhoma Lodges may enjoy a stay in Buhoma while trekking gorillas in Ruhija, two locations in the eastern portion of Bwindi. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a two- to three-hour drive from Buhoma; there, visitors may see the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and have a boat ride on the Kazinga canal in Mweya’s northern section. We have a 5-day safari planned just for this purpose, complete with gorilla and wildlife viewing.
Reach Buhoma to hike the Family of Katwe gorillas
Accessing the Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by road from Entebbe/Kampala or by air from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip are two options for individuals interested in trekking the Katwe gorilla family or other habituated gorilla groups. Contact Katland Safaris to arrange for daily scheduled flights or charters.
Thanks to the addition of the Katwe gorilla group and the Christmas gorilla family (located in the Nkuringo area), the total number of habituated gorilla families in Uganda and Bwindi National Park has risen from fifteen to seventeen, making Uganda the site with the largest concentration of habituated gorilla families globally.
This also means that there are 136 gorilla permits available for trekking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, thanks to the 17 gorilla families. Because gorilla permits in Uganda are somewhat less expensive than in Rwanda, the country continues to be a budget-friendly option for individuals interested in gorilla trekking.
You, too, may see the three-year habituation process that the Katwe gorilla family went through to get used to humans. To achieve this, you must schedule a unique four-hour gorilla habituation experience safari to Bwindi, where you will spend the whole day in the company of mountain gorillas that are still in the habituation process.
Unfortunately, Buhoma isn’t part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you can have this experience. Originating in Entebbe, we provide a 3-day gorilla habituation safari, while our Kigali office offers a 3-day Bwindi gorilla habituation experience trip. We provide a 5-day gorilla and chimpanzee habituation safari that is ideal for anyone who is interested in combining the two types of habituation experiences.
Contact Katland Safaris, a reputable tour operator in Uganda and Rwanda, for additional information about the Katwe gorilla family and how to reserve permits to see the gorillas in the Buhoma or Katwe forests. Because of our unparalleled knowledge and skill while dealing with customers and tourists, we are highly rated on TripAdvisor and Safari Bookings.
