Buhoma Sector – A Gorilla Tracking Region in the North of Bwindi Forest
Buhoma Sector is a gorilla trekking area in the north of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The sector is one of the four gorilla trekking regions of Bwindi forest. Found in Kanungu district, Buhoma sector is an outstanding area of the park. It is the reason why a number of prospective gorilla visitors making gorilla tour booking always first ask permit availability for Buhoma Sector. And most tourists would pick interest in other regions like Rushaga, Nkuringo or Ruhija after failing to get gorilla permits for Buhoma. If not early gorilla safari bookings, it’s always hard to find permits available for Buhoma area. Gorilla permits are sold first come, first serve basis. It is at Buhoma that gorilla trekking in Uganda was forest done by a group of tourists to Bwindi impenetrable forest. This sector is also a place where Mubare Gorilla Family, Uganda’s oldest gorilla group was first was habituated in 1992.
Gorilla Families in Buhoma
This region has four gorilla trekking groups available for visitors. This include the following:-
Ease of Access to Buhoma Sector
One of the reasons why Buhoma sector is loved so much is the access. Travelers on a 3 day gorilla trekking safari would find Buhoma nearer than any other region. Even those taking flying safaris from Entebbe to Bwindi would conveniently land at Kihihi Airstrip in Buhoma and connect to the park easier than landing Kisoro and transfer to Bwindi.
Buhoma is also the closest sector of Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This means that tourists undertaking gorilla and wildlife safaris would love to trek gorillas in Buhoma. The sector is approximately 120 minutes’ drive from Kabale town through Kanungu and about 4 hours from Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is easier to enjoy a safari involving game drives and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel plus other activities in the park and connect to Bwindi the next day. If you are from Kampala, you drive through Mpigi, Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri and reach Buhoma in the evening.
Other Activities in Buhoma
Apart from gorilla trekking, there are a variety of acativties availabale for tourists to Bwindi in Buhoma area. These comprise of community walk to the adjacent populations of Batwa Pygmies and the Bakiga Communities. It is amazingly enjoyable to visit the Batwa and see them in their forest life. Tourists visiting communities around Buhoma may engage in activities like digging, local food preparation, playing with children, brewing local brews, plus collecting fruits. In Buhoma, one may also do a forest walk admiring various tree and plant species as well as birds.
Lodges in Buhoma Sector/Buhoma Accommodation Facilities
There are variety of accommodation and lodge facilities in Buhoma region which act as basing grounds for gorilla trekking safaris. These Buhoma lodges offer comfortable sleeping and delicious foods among others. The sector has several luxury, midrange and budget lodges offering excellent services. Buhoma lodges have outstanding services by trained and experienced staff who understand the best customer care. Lodges in Buhoma include:-
- Silverback Lodge
- Mahogany Springs
- Buhoma Lodge,
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Haven Lodge Buhoma Community
- Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
- Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp Uganda
- Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp
- Bwindi Forest Lodge,
- Bwindi Guesthouse,
- Bwindi View Bandas,
- Gorilla Forest Camp
- Trackers Safari Lodge
- Ride 4 A Woman
Broadly a gorilla tracking adventure in Buhoma sector is a life experience in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Combining its ease of access with nice lodges and wonderful foods plus an arousing gorilla trekking encounters, sets Buhoma exceptionally unique from the rest of the gorilla trekking regions of Bwindi. Other sectors of Bwindi are also uniquely good as they have their strengths in terms of accessibility for those coming for gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali. The only con of Buhoma is it doesn’t favor Rwanda-Uganda gorilla safaris. So the area has its pros and cons but all the same it is ideal gorilla trekking destination in Uganda.