With only four (04) habituated mountain gorilla groups open for gorilla trekking, Ruhija Region is arguably the least crowded of the four (04) gorilla trekking regions of Bwindi National Park and therefore the most ideal recommendation for travelers seeking a more private/exclusive Gorilla trekking experience.
Ruhija is the highest point in the Bwindi Impenetrable forest, towering at about 2,500meters/8202feet above sea level.
The Ruhija region is located in the East of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and is easily accessible by Flight from Entebbe into Kihihi (You’ll drive 1.5hrs to get there) or via road from Kigali to Kabale and finally to Ruhija region a journey that typically lasts about 5 hours.
Ruhija region is the most diverse of all four regions of Bwindi and is mainly used for scientific research. Ruhija is also where elephants and other forest dwelling fauna including wild chimpanzees often sighted on the drive to/out of Ruhija region.
Ruhija region has four (04) fully habituated gorillas families and although there are fewer gorillas, and fewer Gorilla Trekking permits (24), Ruhija is a great option as it is quieter than the other sectors, and is in close proximity to the remote Ishasha sector of the greater Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The merit of Choosing to trek Gorillas in the Ruhija Region
If you choose to trek gorillas in Ruhija, you could as well consider adding the following suggestions to your Uganda Safari.
From Ruhija, you easily connect to the remote Ishasha Sector (the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth NP) to catch a glimpse of the tree-climbing lions (it’s only here where you’ll have a chance to see or photograph or film them). Alternatively, you could add a visit to the Northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a safari.
The drive from Ruhija to Ishasha Sector is approximately a 3-hour drive to the Ishasha sector, where you will find the tree-climbing lions.
Our Suggestion: After your trek in Ruhija, you could drive down to Ishasha Sector (3 hours from Ruhija) and stay two nights, then drive north towards the Kasenyi/Mweya area where we recommend staying another two nights so as to experience a game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, an afternoon boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, and an amazing chimpanzee trekking trip to inside the Kyambura Gorge.
Alternatively, if you wish to put your feet up and relax after those long treks, a visit to Lake Bunyonyi, or Mutanda might be the ideal pick.
From Ruhija, it is also possible to cross into Rwanda and explore this little gem of a country with a sad history but a quick recovery from a devasting genocide that happened in 1993. There are also safari parks to visit; Akagera, Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Gishwati.
