Buhoma Sector Gorilla Trekking

Buhoma at a Glance

Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma

Treks begin with a briefing at the Buhoma park office, a short walk or drive from most lodges, so mornings are easy. Rangers allocate each group to one of the sector’s habituated families, taking fitness into account where they can. Trails start in the valley around the park headquarters and climb into the forest; depending on where the family is, the walk can take under an hour or several hours. The hour with the gorillas, the rules and the permit price (currently US$800 for foreign non-residents) are the same as everywhere in Bwindi — see our gorilla trekking guide.

Why Choose Buhoma?

• Easier logistics. The park office, lodges and trailheads are close together, with the longest-established ranger and guide teams in the park.
• A moderate starting point. Terrain varies, but Buhoma is generally less steep than Nkuringo or parts of Rushaga.
• The most lodge choice. From simple community-run rooms to long-established luxury lodges on the forest edge.
• Plenty to do on a second day. Waterfall walks, village visits and birding are right on the doorstep.
• Easy to combine with Queen Elizabeth. Buhoma is the closest sector to Ishasha and the Queen Elizabeth road.

The trade-off is that Buhoma is the busiest sector. If you want the quietest experience, consider Ruhija; for the best permit availability and the habituation experience, Rushaga; and for views and a tougher trek, Nkuringo.

Things to Do in Buhoma

• Waterfall trail: a guided walk along the Munyaga River to forest waterfalls, with monkeys and birds along the way. See nature walks in Bwindi.
• Buhoma community walk: visits to local farms, a traditional healer, a banana-beer brewer and craft makers. See community walks around Bwindi.
• Ivi River Trail: a full-day forest hike south to Nkuringo, an adventurous way to change sectors.
• Birding: the main trail at Buhoma is excellent for forest birds, including Albertine Rift endemics. See birding in Bwindi.

Getting to Buhoma

• From Queen Elizabeth National Park: about three to four hours via Ishasha, often with a game drive for tree-climbing lions on the way.
• From Entebbe or Kampala: a full day by road, about nine to ten hours; most itineraries break the journey at Lake Mburo or come via Queen Elizabeth.
• By air: scheduled flights from Entebbe to Kihihi, then about 1–1.5 hours by road.

Where to Stay in Buhoma

Buhoma has Bwindi’s widest range of accommodation, clustered near the park gate so you can walk to the morning briefing from many lodges. Choices run from budget guesthouses and community camps to comfortable mid-range lodges and some of Uganda’s best-known luxury forest lodges. Book early for July, August and December. See Uganda’s best luxury lodges and budget accommodation near Bwindi.

Best Time to Trek in Buhoma

Gorilla trekking runs all year. June to September and December to February are drier, with firmer trails, and are the busiest months for permits. The wetter months bring muddier trails but fewer visitors. See the best time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi.