Things to do in Ruhija sector after gorilla trekking
Things to do in Ruhija sector after gorilla trekking; Ruhija sector is one of the four gorilla trekking sectors located in the eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park in Rubanda district. Ruhija sector is a home of four habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis including Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, Mukiza and Bitukura families. Gorilla trekking is the major activity in Ruhija sector and the experience starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will start trekking in the jungle in search of the habituated mountain gorillas. Trekking of gorillas in Ruhija sector takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During gorilla trekking, you will be able to view variety of bird species, primates, mammals, view different plant and tree species among others. Once the mountain gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their behaviors, watch the gorillas feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record the incredible moments. Apart from gorilla trekking, Ruhija offers other interesting activities including,
Things to do in Ruhija sector after gorilla trekking
Nature walk/ hiking
Nature walk is one of the things to do in Ruhija sector after gorilla trekking. During the guided nature walks which take about 3 to 6 hours, you will follow different trails like Mubwindi swamp trail and bamboo trail where you will enjoy stunning views of Bwindi impenetrable national park, Lake Bunyonyi, Virunga volcanoes, encounter different animals, primates, view different bird species, colorful butterflies, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, take beautiful pictures among others.
Batwa cultural experience
Bwatwa cultural experience is an interesting activity in Ruhija sector where visitors will be able to interact with the Batwa/ pygmies who used to live in Bwindi forest before it was gazetted into a national park. During the Batwa cultural experience, you will be able to learn about their way of life, their initial forest practices like hunting wild animals and gathering honey, visit the medicine men who heal different diseases with herbal medicine, listen to their ancient stories, participate in their traditional performance among others.
Bird watching
Ruhija sector is one of the best birding destinations in Bwindi impenetrable national park in that it’s a home of different bird species including Albertine rift endemics, migratory birds, forest birds among others. bird watching in Ruhija sector is best done early in the morning with an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species like yellow eyed black fly cather, dusky crimson wing, yellow streaked greenbul, starred robin, grey bush shrike, cinnamon chested bee-eater, red chested flufftail, African green broadbill, Carruthers cisticola, dwarf honey guide, common buzzard, blue headed sunbird, helmeted guinea fowl, African paradise flycatcher, ross’s turaco, purple breasted sunbird, archers robin chat, handsome francolin, Rwenzori turaco, mountain masked Apalis, Kivu ground thrush, brown capped weaver among others.
Community tours
Community tour is another exciting thing to do in Ruhija sector after gorilla trekking. During the community tour, you will be able to interact with the local people who live in the neighboring communities, learn about their culture, history, lifestyle, visit their farmlands, homesteads, craft shops where craft items like baskets, beads, bags, sandals are sold, learn about the local projects, enjoy story telling from elders and traditional entertainment, taste their local dishes among others.
Best time to visit Ruhija sector
Ruhija sector can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this period there is less rainfall in the park therefore access roads and hiking trails will be dry and passable.
Ruhija sector can also be visited during the wet season in the months of March to May and November because that’s the best time for birding in that it’s the breeding period which means that you will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species.
Where to stay in Ruhija sector
There are a number of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury in Ruhija sector where you can stay during your safari including Ruhija Community rest camp, Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Safari lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Broadbill Forest Camp among others.
How to get to Ruhija sector
Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and can be accessed by road transport means where by you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
You can as well access Ruhija sector from Kigali Rwanda whereby you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to Ruhija sector by road via Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.
Ruhija sector can also be accessed by air transport means where tourists will book charter or scheduled flights with bar aviation or Aero link Uganda from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip and then connect to Ruhija sector by road.
