Ruhija is one of the regions/or sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is found on the eastern side of the Park. Tracking gorillas in the Ruhija region is centered on finding habituated gorilla groups that include Kyaguliro, Mukiza, Oruzogo and Bitukura groups.

For the four habituated Gorilla Group, 32 gorilla permits are available per day for tracking Gorillas in Ruhija region and for only $600, you will be among the lucky persons to trek these extraordinary groups of the Ruhija region.

Kyaguliro Gorilla Group

Kyaguliro Gorilla group is ordinarily reserved for research purposes although it is sometimes tracked by tourists. It has more than 10 members including one silverback.

Oruzogo Gorilla Group

Opened for tracking in 2011, Oruzogo Gorilla Group is comprised of 17 members and headed by Bakwate. It is one of the easy to medium-to-track gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bitukura Gorilla Group

Bitukura gorilla group was opened for tracking in 2008 after only one year of habituation and is until today as one of the most sociable groups in the Park.

Mukiza Gorilla family

Mountain gorillas in the Mukiza Gorilla family were originally members of the Kyaguliro group and is currently headed by Mukiza.

Best time for tracking gorillas in Ruhija region

There is no particular time for tracking gorillas in the Ruhija region because the four habituated groups in the region can be visited all year round. However, the time you choose will reward different experiences. The dry season is usually considered ideal because forest trails are drier, less muddy and slippery thus making trekking easier while the wet months are characterized by muddy and slippery trails hence usually avoided for tracking gorillas.

Places to stay in Ruhija region

Tracking gorilla in the Ruhija region requires tourists to stay within the region or the nearby Buhoma region. However, the nearby accommodation facilities are Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Trekkers tavern Cottages, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Gift of Nature, Bakiga Lodge, Cuckooland Tented Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Resort and Wagtail Eco-safari Camp among others.

How to get to Ruhija region

It is approximately 8 hours’ drive from Kampala to the southwestern town of Kabale after which you need a few minutes on a murram road to get to Ruhija region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The commonly used route to the region is Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale-Ruhija with 4WD Vehicle recommended. The region can be accessed through air transport whereby flights can be chartered from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi Airstrip then connect to Ruhija through a murram road while enjoying the views of the terraced hillsides.