Buhoma is one of the four (04) designated Gorilla Trekking regions in the Greater Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. For anyone to Trekk Gorillas in Buhoma Region, you ought to be atleast 15 years, Buhoma Gorilla Permits cost $700 per person and can be booked directly with UWA or through a licensed local Gorilla tour operator like Realm Africa Safaris™.
Buhoma Region was the first place in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to be opened for mountain Gorilla trekking in 1993. Then there was only one habituated mountain gorilla group called Mubare. But as we write this article, the Buhoma region now boasts of six (05) Fully habituated mountain gorilla groups. The Malaya Gorilla family is still undergoing habituation which might bring the number of habituated mountain gorilla groups in the Buhoma region to six (06). Buhoma Region is the busiest gorilla trekking region and a favorite for many upmarket travelers seeking to trek Gorillas whilst staying at luxury lodges.
How many gorilla Permits are available for Purchase in Buhoma Region?
Buhoma Region boast of six (06) fully habituated gorilla families;
- Mubare Gorilla Family – group also referred to as M- group has eleven (11) members and was the first habituated Mountain gorilla group to be visited in Bwindi as early as April 1993 ( habituation began In 1991 and lasted two years – till 1993 when Mubare Gorilla Group was opened for the maiden Gorilla Tracking In Uganda. Learn more about the Mubare Gorilla Family In Buhoma Region.
- Habinyanja Gorilla Family – Group also referred to as H – the group has a Group size Of up to 17 members with one (01) blackback challenging for silverback position, and 6 infants that make trekking this gorilla group a lot more picturesque fun. The name habinyanja is derived from the local word “Nyanja’ to mean “a place with water” – Gorillas in this group were first seen near the swamp in the Bwindi national park. Habituation of the Habinyanja Gorilla group kicked off in 1997 and the group was officially opened for trekking In 1999.
- Rushegura Gorilla Family – Group also referred to as R- Group has a group size of 16 members under the lead of silverback Kabukojo. Rushegura Group comprises Four (04) active blackbacks and 04 infants making this a spectacular family to Visit. Rushegura Gorilla group visit is often a Quick – light trek of fewer than 05 hours. Learn More about the Rushegura Gorilla Family in Buhoma Region.
- Katwe Gorilla Family – Group was the fourth habituated mountain gorilla group to be commissioned for Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma Region from the previous three; Mubare, Habinyanja & Rushegura. Katwe gorilla family has a total of 9 members – comprised of 1 silverback, 2 adult females, 2 blackbucks, and 2 infants. Learn more about the Katwe Gorilla group of the Buhoma Region.
- Muyambi Gorilla Family – group is the latest addition to the list of habituated gorilla families in the popular Buhoma Region. The Mumbai gorilla family was birthed from a split of the habinyanja Gorilla family save for the known facts of the group size 4 individuals including 1 silverback – we are still generating information about this group.
- Malaya Gorilla Family (still undergoing habituation). There is very little information about the Malaya gorilla family found in the Buhoma region. We’ll update you on any information we discover.
Binyindo Gorilla Family – group (Not open for trekking). This family consisted of 06 members including one dominant silverback. This family, unfortunately, was recently joined by a group of wild unhabituated gorillas which meant that they would be potentially dangerous to humans. All the groups you visit have undergone mandatory habituation to prepare them for the human visits that we call gorilla trekking/tracking. We will continue to keep you posted on any development regarding the Binyindo gorilla family.
Best Habituated Gorilla group to track in Buhoma Region
Of all six (06) habituated gorilla groups found in the Buhoma Region, the Rushegura gorilla group is considered the best gorilla family to trek while on a safari to the Buhoma region.
The group has the highest concentration of mountain gorillas with 16 members led by a silverback named Kabujoko, 4 adult females, 4 black backs, 4 infants, and 3 juveniles. The plus side Of trekking the large Rushegura gorilla group is the fact that they are known to keep within proximity of the park headquarters in the Buhoma region and henceforth meaning that the treks to see and photograph this group are usually (not all the time) much shorter than when you trek the other groups found in the region. We like to recommend this group to the elderly trekkers, and those that don’t want to be trekking for hours to see gorillas.
Note: The above advice is not a guarantee that the treks visiting the Rushegura gorilla family will always be shorter less strenuous. This is because the mountain gorillas freely roam the forest and can choose to move even much higher up in the forest. If traveling with Realm Africa Safaris™ – your premium gorilla trekking safari company, our guides will do all that is possible to match you with the trek of your interest – just let us know during the course of your safari with us.
A gorilla permit is a major requirement for all travelers intending to Trek Gorillas in any region of Bwindi including the Buhoma region.
What is the Cost/Price of a Gorilla Permit in the Buhoma Region (Northern Bwindi)?
Gorilla Permits in Buhoma Region just like at all the other three (03) gorilla trekking locations of Bwindi cost;
- $700 for foreign non-residents.
- $600 per person for Foreign residents.
- Ugx 250,000 per person for East African Citizens including those living or working in the diaspora.
How to book Buhoma Gorilla Permits: Gorilla Permits to trek in the Buhoma Region can be booked directly with UWA or through a licensed gorilla tour operator like Realm Africa Safaris™.
Best season/time/month to book Buhoma Gorilla Permits
We advise travelers to book their gorilla trekking permits for 2022 at least 06 months in advance.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Generally, Mountain Gorilla permits are scarce and highly competitive to acquire especially if intending to trek mountain Gorillas in Uganda where the permits cost only $700 per person. Because of the ongoing gorilla permit scarcity in Uganda, we advise our clients to book their Gorilla Safaris well in advance.
The best season to schedule or book your buhoma gorilla permits during the dry season months from mid-June to August, or December to February when there are few showers of rain.
