Ruhija sits at about 2,350 m on the eastern rim of Bwindi, high enough that mornings are genuinely cold and cloud sits in the valleys until nine. It is the quietest of the four sectors, and for anyone who likes birds it is the best place in Uganda.
The gorilla families
Four families are habituated here: Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mukiza and Kyaguriro, the last of which is used primarily for research. Oruzogo is one of the larger groups in the park and has a reliable reputation for playful juveniles. Because Ruhija receives fewer visitors than Rushaga or Buhoma, permits here are sometimes available at short notice in peak season.
Trekking conditions
Treks run from about two to six hours. The altitude makes the climbs feel harder than the equivalent walk in Buhoma, and the ground is often wet, but some families sit remarkably close to the Ruhija road — short treks are more common here than anywhere else in Bwindi. The forest is more open than in the south, with tall trees and less of the tangled undergrowth that makes Rushaga slow.
Birding: the reason many people come
The trail down to Mubwindi Swamp is one of the great birding walks in Africa. The African green broadbill — a bird found in only two places on earth — is the prize, with Grauer's rush warbler, Shelley's crimsonwing, Archer's robin-chat, handsome francolin and dozens of other Albertine Rift endemics along the way. It is a full day, boggy at the bottom, and worth building an extra night in for.
Combining a trek with a birding day
Trek gorillas on day one, birds on day two, and stay three nights in Ruhija. Serious birders should ask for a specialist bird guide rather than the general ranger guide; we arrange them, and the difference in what you see is enormous.
Getting there
- From Buhoma: about 2 hours on the road that runs straight through the forest — a beautiful drive, and a good chance of forest elephant sign.
- From Kabale: 1.5–2 hours.
- From Kigali: 5–6 hours via the Katuna border.
- By air: Entebbe to Kihihi, then around 2.5 hours by road.
The road into Ruhija is murram and climbs steadily. In the wet season it needs a 4x4 and a driver who knows it.
Where to stay in Ruhija
The sector's accommodation is simpler than Buhoma's and much of it is community-linked, which is part of its appeal. Options include Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Bakiga Lodge and Broadbill Forest Camp, which is the birders' choice. Nights are cold — ask for a hot water bottle, and they will already have thought of it.
What else to do
The Bamboo Zone trail climbs to Bwindi's highest point at Rwamunyonyi. Village walks and the Ride 4 a Woman weaving project in nearby Buhoma both support local income directly. Lake Bunyonyi is about two hours away and makes an excellent post-trek stop.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How many gorilla families are in Ruhija?
Four — Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mukiza and the research group Kyaguriro. Fewer than Rushaga, but Ruhija also receives fewer visitors, so permits are sometimes available when other sectors are full.
Is Ruhija good for birding?
It is the best birding in Uganda. The Mubwindi Swamp trail holds the African green broadbill, Grauer's rush warbler, Shelley's crimsonwing and many other Albertine Rift endemics.
How cold does Ruhija get?
Cold enough to want a fleece and a hat at 05:30. At around 2,350 m, night temperatures drop to roughly 10°C and mornings are often misty until mid-morning.
Next
Keep planning
- All four Bwindi sectors — compared side by side
- Permits and costs — US$800 and what it covers
- Bwindi lodges — including lodges in this sector
- 3-day Bwindi safari — trek from any sector
Enquire
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