Buhoma sits in the north of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in Kanungu district, and is the oldest and most visited of the park’s four gorilla trekking sectors. It was the first sector to open for gorilla trekking, in 1993, following the successful habituation of the Mubare family, Bwindi’s first ever habituated gorilla group.
Why Buhoma Is the Most Visited Sector
Several factors make Buhoma the busiest of Bwindi’s four sectors. It’s easily reached from Kabale and the Kihihi airstrip, and sits closer than any other sector to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha region, home to Uganda’s tree-climbing lions. Buhoma also has the widest range of accommodation in the park, including Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Engagi Lodge, Bwindi Volcano Lodge, and Silverback Lodge, along with the more budget-friendly Buhoma Community Rest Camp. As the sector where gorilla trekking began, Buhoma has also become a hub for community projects, including gorilla habituation, women’s empowerment programs, cycling, and guided nature walks.
Gorilla Families in Buhoma
Mubare Family: Uganda’s first habituated gorilla family, opened to trekkers in 1993 with an original 18 members. The family takes its name from the Mubare Hills, where it was first sighted. Deaths and migrations over the years have made it the smallest family in Bwindi, especially following the death of its original silverback, Ruhondeza. Current members include lead blackback Kanyonyi, along with Muyambi, Malaika, and Kashundwe.
Habinyanja Family: Known for a fascinating leadership history, this family was originally led by silverback Mugurusi, whose name loosely translates to “old man.” After his death, leadership passed to his two sons, Rwansigazi and Mwirima. One branch of the family eventually split off in 2000 to form the Rushegura family. Habinyanja itself now has 20 members and 2 silverbacks, currently led by Makara, who succeeded his father Rwansigazi. Other members include blackback Maraya, along with Nyabuche, Nyamuhango, Binyonko, Rukundo, Kisho, and Rugyendo.
Rushegura Family: Split from Habinyanja in 2000, Rushegura has 20 members led by silverback Kabukojo. This is one of the easier families to track in Bwindi, since it often roams close to park headquarters and sometimes nearby lodges, occasionally allowing for shorter treks completed in under 5 hours. Members include Mwirima, Kibade, Nyamunwa, Nyampazi, Ruterena, and Kafuruka.
Katwe Family: The newest family in Buhoma, habituated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in 2018. It has 7 members, including silverback Katwe, four adult females, three blackbacks, and two infants, with membership shifting as gorillas join or leave the group.
Other Activities in Buhoma
Beyond gorilla trekking, Buhoma offers community walks with the neighboring Bakiga and Batwa communities, giving insight into how the Batwa lived in the forest before resettlement made way for gorilla conservation. Visitors can join in activities like local food preparation, farming, and traditional beer brewing.
Buhoma is also a strong birding destination, with around 350 recorded bird species in Bwindi overall, including 24 Albertine Rift endemics such as the short-tailed warbler and blue-headed sunbird, alongside more common sightings like the dark-capped bulbul and African emerald cuckoo.
Getting to Buhoma
Buhoma is a full day’s drive from Kampala or Entebbe, about 2 hours from Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector, and roughly 6 hours from Lake Mburo National Park. Two daily scheduled flights land at the nearby Kihihi airstrip, followed by about a 1 hour 30 minute drive to Buhoma, depending on road conditions.
Book Your Buhoma Gorilla Trekking Tour
With easy access, a wide choice of lodges, and four distinct gorilla families to choose from, Buhoma remains one of the best sectors for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Book your Buhoma gorilla trekking tour with our team today, and we’ll help you plan the trek alongside the rest of your Bwindi itinerary.
