Rushaga is the one of the wonderful and famous sector that provides the great points for the uninterrupted scenic views of the canopy walks and other surrounding places such as the clear views of Lake Mutanda as well the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. The Rushaga sector is the one of the best destination or sector for the gorilla trekking because it is the best sector with the highest concentration of the gorilla families in the while of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Tourists trekking gorillas from Rushaga have amazing beautiful views, and at some points, they can see the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda and Uganda, which include Sabinyo, Mgahinga, Karusimbi, Muhavura, and Bisoke, among others. There’s Lake Mutanda, which is one of Uganda’s only two lava-damaged lakes. Before or after your gorilla hike, you may take a canoe ride on the lake.

The Rushaga region has the most gorilla families and is located between Kabale and Nkuringo, with visitors arriving from either Ruhija or Kampala. Because the terrain is dominated by steep hills, habituated gorilla groups have continued to split and subdivide to take up different hills in the area.

Despite the fact that the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to more than 410 gorillas presenting more than half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas, the Rushaga region of Bwindi has the most gorillas, with five gorilla families, compared to other sectors, which have three or fewer gorilla families, making Rushaga one of the best regions in Bwindi for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation. Nshongi, Busingye, Kungye, Bweza, and Mishaya are some of the gorilla families found in Rushaga.

There are several tourist activities in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and these include gorilla trekking and the gorilla habituation process. If you want to participate in the habituation experience, you will collaborate with researchers and rangers to gradually acclimate gorillas to people. In comparison to a regular gorilla trip, you will get four hours with them. Although they may be more wary than the habituated gorillas, you will be contributing to the protection of an endangered species.

Aside from gorilla trekking, Bwindi is a great place to go for wildlife hikes. Take a guided forest walk into the undergrowth of the forest to see some of the uncommon plants, birds, and insects that flourish in this tropical paradise. A forest trek can take two hours and is a wonderful opportunity for avid birders. There are over 350 bird species, including 14 that have never been seen before in Uganda.

Gorilla permits (40 per day) are offered to trekkers in this region as compared to other regions, and they never run out of supply, so customers have a good chance of getting one. But this doesn’t stop you from booking your safari early enough in advance, and because they are more competitive. Because each gorilla family is found in a different area of Rushaga, you can select a gorilla family based on your fitness level to avoid too much exhaustion since you will have to move in search of where the gorilla family is, and if you want to trek more than one gorilla family at the time your permit is issued to you, you can still suggest a particular gorilla family that you would like to trek at the time your permit is issued to you.

How to travel to Rushaga?

Depending on road conditions, the journey from Kampala to the Rushaga area might take up to 9 hours through Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale. The quickest and most convenient way to reach to Rushaga is to fly from Kampala or Entebbe to Kisoro Airstrip, which takes just under two hours. Flights are only available in the morning and are dependent on weather conditions. It takes two hours to go to Rushaga from Kisoro town.

Those interested in hiking the Rushaga Gorilla Families can stay at Kisoro Travelers Rest Inn, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, or Clouds Gorilla Lodge in Kisoro Town.