About four gorilla families live at Ruhija Gorilla Safari. Since Ruhija is Bwindi forest’s top birding area, mountain gorilla trekking gives a double opportunity for birdwatchers. Gorilla families in Ruhija include Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, and Mukisa. The Ruhija gorilla habituation initiative should increase the number of Gorilla Trekking Families.

Four locations in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. Uganda Wildlife Authorities broke Bwindi into three areas due to its vastness and volcanic activity-related mountains. Ruhija has notoriously terrible roads, therefore you need a 4×4 to attempt it.

Gorilla trekking in Ruhija requires a permit. Every gorilla family may get eight permits everyday. This was done to save monkey food plants and prevent trampling.

The gorilla safari sells out rapidly, especially in June–September and December–January, so securing accomodation early is crucial. There are few hotels in Ruhija, but one may stay at Buhoma, an hour away.

The Ruhija portion of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has the Oruzogo family of gorillas. Gorilla Families: Bitukura Gorators, Kyaguriro, and Mukisa.
As gorilla habituation continues, Ruhija may have more gorilla families.

How can I acquire a Ruhija gorilla permit?

Check your Gorilla Trekking day and number of certified explorers. Request gorilla permits for the Ruhija sector. Katland Safaris’ tour experts can assist you book the gorilla permit, secure extra safari logistics, and plan the gorilla safari.

Our safari expert checks Uganda Wildlife Authority vacancies for Ruhija area permits.

They will confirm gorilla permit availability after your inquiry, however we recommend booking them immediately. Gorilla permits are fee-based. Gorilla permits are first-come, first-served. Despite considerable demand, gorilla permit status may change without warning because to their tiny supply.

Personalize your gorilla permission card with your passport name, country, birthdate, and passport expiry date.

What does a Bwindi Ruhija gorilla permit cost?

International non-residents pay $800, foreign residents $700, and East Africans 300 000shs for Ruhija gorilla trekking permits. The Uganda Wildlife Authority sells and manages all gorilla permits. Katland Safaris is an accredited tour operator that can help you secure a gorilla permit.

Gorilla permits include park entrance for 24 hours, ranger guide fees, security, community assistance, mountain gorilla conservation, one hour with the gorillas, and others.

Prices for gorilla permits without porters, accomodation, lunch, snacks, etc.

Are gorilla permits worth it?

Gorilla Trekking permits put you meters from the remaining mountain gorillas. Only around 1000 mountain gorillas remain globally, making them endangered.

Mountain gorilla conservation is bolstered by gorilla permit money, which helps the wildlife preservation team. Annually, a portion of gorilla permit purchases support local efforts. Mountain gorillas entering settlements and destroying crops are occasionally compensated.

The people must also understand the importance of protecting the forest, other forest creatures, and mountain gorillas. They must cooperate to conserve mountain gorillas and their habitat. This is partially funded by gorilla licensing sales.

When should Ruhija gorilla safari permits be booked?

Since there are only eight gorilla families, getting permits in advance is preferable. To be safe, reserve gorilla permits six to twelve months in advance. Last-minute gorilla permit shortages occur in June, July, August, September, December, and January due to high demand.

In March, April, May, and November, gorilla permits are less in demand and more likely to be available last minute. If you’re on a budget, take advantage of this low-season gorilla safari upgrade. Driving guides and hotels may lower costs to break even. There are more improvement opportunities.

What accommodation do you provide for Ruhija gorilla trekking?

Ruhija has few hotels, however Buhoma is open for nights before gorilla safaris. The poorly maintained road from Buhoma to Ruhija is seldom used, requiring 4×4 for the excursion.

Bakiga Lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge

Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Engage Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

From Kampala or Entebbe, how to reach Ruhija?

You may drive 414 kilometers from Kampala or Entebbe to Kabale, then 42 kilometers on a dusty, steep route to Ruhija. A two-hour route from Buhoma to Ruhija is another option.

For safe travel to Ruhija, a vehicle in good condition and 4×4 drive is recommended due to terrible road conditions.

by air
For optimal planning, schedule daily domestic flights from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi Airstrip. Rent a transfer vehicle to get there.

Kajjansi Airfield and Entebbe Airport provide charter planes for private gorilla safaris two hours from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Charter flights need advance clearance, so book early.

Which Ruhija gorilla family is easiest to visit?

It is difficult to choose which of the four Ruhija gorilla families is easiest to view. This is because the gorilla family nearby yesterday may be furthest tomorrow. Mountain gorillas are free-ranging primates.

The environment, such as food supply proximity, family death, pace of other tourists, and others, determines where mountain gorillas may be seen when gorilla trekking.

Visitors should be patient before seeing mountain gorillas. Open your mind to other exciting nature features to avoid boredom during a long quest. The Bwindi forest also has black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and others.

What influences gorilla family allocation in Ruhija, Bwindi?

After the briefing, gorilla family distribution guidelines are hard to set. Hobbies, health, connections, etc. may determine gorilla families. Though not certain, you might attempt telling the ranger guide your preferences to be considered.

Whatever gorilla family you get, being a few meters near them is unparalleled.

Is Ruhija Gorilla Trekking Hard?

Volcanic gorilla safari places make walking difficult. Gorilla safaris take place on highlands-like hills and plateaus with twisted vegetation that occasionally falls. Ranger guides may slash vines using machetes to create paths.

Mountain gorillas feed from these mountains, therefore you may have to hike to observe them. One must be relatively fit to continue the hike and not disrupt the forest while postponing the rest. When mountain gorillas were found is unclear.

Pack safari boots, rainproof clothes, a backpack, garden gloves, bug repellent, and other things to protect you from the forest’s rough terrain.

Are mountain gorillas dangerous?

Mountain gorillas are not lethal, despite popular media portrayals. Primates are usually docile despite their fearsome appearance. Mountain gorillas knuckle stride with black coats, sunken dark eyes, and massive bodies. Though they may seem scary, mountain gorillas are harmless once you leave their group.

Mountain gorillas may charge, therefore this does not provoke them. Mountain gorillas hoot, pound their chests, wrap vines over them, and go into the bush when angry.

Be calm and follow the ranger guide’s instructions if you see such behavior. Mountain gorillas are occasionally attacked by intruders or fighting families. Stay cool and don’t escalate until the issue is handled.

Subtly leave after viewing mountain gorillas to avoid suspicion.

How does Ugandan gorilla trekking work?

Wild mountain gorillas must obtain their food, thus they are not fed.
Mountain gorillas might become furious and hide, thus provocation is illegal.
Flash photography is prohibited because mountain gorillas are affected by new happenings.
Surrounding mountain gorillas when hiking is prohibited because they feel assaulted and might hide.
The mountain gorillas may steal what you eat or smoke 300 meters away. The wild animals must not depend on humans.

Because it alters mountain gorilla diets, forest littering is banned.
Spitting on plants contaminates mountain gorilla diet.
Use a mask to protect mountain gorillas from human communicable diseases during the coronavirus pandemic.

Eight meters separate you from mountain gorillas to prevent illness transmission.
After finding the mountain gorillas, you get one hour with them since they’ve adapted to humans.
Trekking to discover mountain gorillas is quiet since they live in peaceful environments.
Offer to stay behind if you have a cough, flu, cholera, COVID-19, or other illness to avoid spreading it to the mountain gorillas.

Meeting mountain gorillas is amazing. Contact our team to book a safari and read client reviews on our travel adviser.