Ruhija gorilla sector is one of the four gorilla sectors that make up Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park situated in the eastern region of the Park between Buhoma gorilla sector and Kabale town known to be the most topographic diverse sector that involves trekking through lush vegetation and rolling hills to encounter the gorillas in their natural habitat. Ruhija gorilla sector is not only a home to the mountain gorillas but also famously known as the only sector that harbors forest elephants that are easily encountered during gorilla trekking. This gorilla sector harbors four fully habituated gorilla families namely Bitukura gorilla family, Kyaguriro gorilla family, Oruzogo gorilla family and Mukiza gorilla family which is also referred to as Kyaguriro B. Other sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where one can go trekking the gorillas include Buhoma gorilla sector in the northern section of the Park, Nkuringo sector in the south and Rushaga gorilla sector in the southern part of the Park. Ruhija gorilla sector was initially a famous destination for birding before the first gorilla group in this sector known as Bitukura gorilla family was opened for trekking. Bird watching enthusiasts had made up the majority of visitors to this sector in their quest to see vast Western Rift endemic bird species including the green broadbills. Other activities that can be done in this sector include primates watching also known as a primate walking safari, nature walks, birding to mention but a few.
Gorilla families
Mountain gorillas in Ruhija gorilla sector include;
Bitukura gorilla family
The Bitukura gorilla family was named a river known as River Bitukura where this gorilla family was first sighted. This gorilla family was habituated in 2007 and by 2008 this gorilla family was readily available for trekking which is a rare occasion since most gorilla families have to undergo the habituation process for about 3 years which wasn’t the case with Bitukura gorilla family. From the time of habituation, this gorilla family was under the leadership of a dominant silverback known as Karamuzi who later retired at the age of 42years leaving the family under the leadership Ndahura silverback who was the youngest among the 4 silverbacks that were part of this family namely Karamuzi, Ndahura, Rukumu and Rukara who later left. This gorilla family is known for its peaceful and friendly characters that make it so interesting to trek. Bitukura gorilla family is comprised of 12 members including 3 silverbacks, 3 adult females namely Kamuga, Bettina and Ruhara, 2 blackbacks namely Mugisha and Obia, 1 juvenile Kabandize and 2 infants Kadogo and Mubwindi.
Oruzogo gorilla family
The Oruzogo gorilla family was named after a famous plant species locally known as “Oruzogoto” where this gorilla family was first sighted. This gorilla family is so famous due to its playfulness and stubbornness nature most especially when it is approached by tourists and therefore being the most entertaining gorilla family in Ruhija sector. The Oruzogo gorilla family was made available for trekking in 2011 with 15 members under the leadership of a dominant silverback known as Bakwata. Other family members include 2 blackbacks, 5 adult females, 2 sub-adults and 5 infants.
Kyaguriro gorilla family
The Kyaguriro gorilla family is the sector’s oldest gorilla family that was habituated in 1999 and later reserved for research purposes. From the time of habituation, this gorilla family was under the leadership of Zeus silverback who was later attacked by an astray silverback known as Rukina and forced Zeus into exile after a serious fight. Rukina took over power but unfortunately he was later struck to death by lightening which left the family under the leadership of a young silverback known as Mukiza. The Kyaguriro gorilla family was later attacked by an immigrant silverback known as Rukara that had quit Bitukura gorilla family resulting into an intense fight between Mukiza and Rukara forcing the family to split into two groups in 2016 where some members remained with Mukiza while others followed Rukara. The two gorilla families that immerged were Kyaguriro A which is under the leadership of Rukara and Kyaguriro B which is under the leadership of Mukiza and often referred to as the Mukiza gorilla family. The Kyaguriro A gorilla family is comprised of 10 members including 1 silverback, 2 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants. This gorilla family was later made available for trekking due to the high demand for gorilla permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Mukiza gorilla family
Mukiza gorilla family is named after the leader of this gorilla family known as Mukiza silverback who was at one time the leader of the Kyaguriro gorilla family. This gorilla family immerged in 2016 after an immigrant silverback from Bitukura gorilla family attacked Kyaguriro gorilla family that was under the leadership of Mukiza resulting into an intense fight that forced the family to split into two groups namely Kyaguriro A that is now led by Rukara and Kyaguriro B under the leadership of Mukiza also known as Mukiza gorilla family. This gorilla family was readily available for trekking from the time of its formation in 2016 since all of its family members had already been habituated before it split from the Kyaguriro family. Mukiza gorilla family is comprised of 10 family members including 1 silverback, 4 adult females, 1 sub-adult and 4 infants.
Accessibility
Ruhija gorilla sector is easily accessed by road transportation means where one is required to drive from Entebbe or Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara and Mbarara-Kabale and then connect to Ruhija sector headquarters which lasts for about 8 to 9 hours. This sector is between Buhoma gorilla sector and Kabale town implying that it can be accessed from either Buhoma or Kabale town. By air, this sector can be accessed by one booking a domestic chartered flight from Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kihiihi airstrip and then drive to Ruhija sector which takes to about 2 to 3 hours. Ruhija gorilla sector can as well be accessed from Kigali Rwanda by one booking a flight to Kigali International Airport and then driving through Katuna border in Kabale after which you proceed with your drive to Ruhija sector lasting for about 4 hours.