Rwigi Gorilla Family in Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Forest
Rwigi Gorilla Family, unveiled for trekking in April 2019 is a gorilla group in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Rwigi family is a splinter faction from the Kahungye gorilla group of the same Rushaga sector in Bwindi. Rwigi is the name to one of the three dominant silver backs in Kahungye family who now head the Rwigi gorilla family. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park of officially opened a new gorilla family for trekking in April 2019.
The family started after misunderstandings between Rwigi and other silverbacks in Kahungye family that led him to form his own family. Rwigi strived hard and quit Kahungye with some adult females and juveniles to create a new family unit. The family has six members comprised of 1 silverback, 3 adult females and 1 baby plus two juveniles.
Visiting Rwigi Gorilla Family
To track Rwigi group, you need to secure a gorilla permit for Rushaga sector. You may book a permit directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or via Speedway Safaris, one of the best gorilla safari companies in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla visitors are advised to make gorilla tour bookings like six months before the trekking dates to escape any likely disappointments. Usually, a 30% deposit of the entire safari cost is needed to ensure that permits are paid for reserved for you.
How to access Rwigi family
Rwigi group can be reached by taking a trip through Entebbe in Uganda or Kigali in Rwanda. You are free to choose your preferred starting and ending point. Some people take gorilla trips commencing and ending in Kigali whereas others choose to start and end in Entebbe. Others decide to start in Kigali and end in Entebbe and vice versa. But a transfer from Kigali to Bwindi or Mgahinga is the easiest route option and take 4 hours’ drive via Cyanika border in Kisoro district. However those travelling from Entebbe, Kampala to the gorilla parks need about 8-10 hour on the road to reach Rushaga. By all means if you are coming from Entebbe either by road or air, taking up a 3 Days gorilla trip is the best travel option for whoever trekking is gorillas in Rushaga region or any other gorilla sector in Uganda.
In case you are on a tight financial budget or have a tight time schedule, don’t stress so much because a 1 day gorilla trek in Uganda via Kigali is available for you. Once you come for this short gorilla trip, sleep in Kigali and wakeup at 3:00 am, have breakfast and drive for 4 hours to Bwindi forest. Arrive in time for briefing, then trek to see gorillas and drive back to Rwanda in the evening. With the one day trip, it is possible to take an evening flight out of Kigali in case any or stay for another night.
Related Gorilla Families in Rushaga Region of Bwindi Forest
Apart from Rwigi gorilla family, Rushaga region, a sector with the biggest gorilla tracking area in Bwindi has more gorilla families. These include Mishaya family, Bweza family, Nshongi Family, Busingye family, Bikyingi group, Bushaho and Kahungye gorilla groups. Each gorilla family is visited by 8 people per day and 4 persons per day for those seeing gorillas under the gorilla habituation experience. People see gorillas in Uganda under two arrangements, gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience.
Trekking Rules and Regulations for Gorilla Visitors
When visiting gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo, try to abide by the trekking rules and regulations as per the park guides and rangers instructions during the pre-gorilla trekking briefing. These rules include:-
- Keep in a distance of seven meters away from gorillas unless it comes to you
- Maintain low tones in their midst
- Ensure that you are in a group, don’t be solitary in the forest
- Do not litter the jungle with rubbish
- Do not make physical contacts with the gorillas unless otherwise
Accommodation options in Rushaga Sector
There are many lodge facilities around Rushaga gorilla sector where you can statry before and after trekking the endangered species. These lodges have the very delicious food and neat sleeping services. The accommodations are in categories of luxury, midrange and budget depending on the visitors’ choice based on budget and preferences. The lodges Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ichumbi lodge and Rushaga Gorilla Camp among the many.