how many gorilla families are in the ruhija sector of bwindi?
Ruhija sector is one of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a mountain gorilla destination. Ruhija is situated in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Click here to view mountain gorilla trekking safaris
The Ruhija sector accommodates four habituated mountain gorilla families, which include the Bitukura family, Oruzogo gorilla family, Kyaguriro gorilla family, and Mukiza family, also commonly known as the Kyaguriro gorilla family. Click here to see our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.
Bitukura gorilla family
Bitukura is among the four mountain gorilla families in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The Bitukura gorilla group got its name after the river Bitukura, where the mountain gorilla group was first seen. The Bitukura mountain gorilla family was habituated between 2007 and 2008.
The Bitukura gorilla family is known for being friendly and peaceful. But the Butikura gorilla family is comprised of 13 family members, which include four silverbacks.
Kyaguriro gorilla family
The Kyaguriro group is also located in the Ruhija sector. The Kyaguriro gorilla has been habituated for research purposes only. By the time of the Kyaguriro gorilla family's habituation, the family was under Zeus's silverback leadership.
Oruzogo gorilla family
Oruzogo is another gorilla family habituated in the Ruhijja sector. The gorilla group was named after a famous tree in Bwindi forest called Oruzogoto, where the gorilla family was first seen.
The Oruzogo gorilla family is among the most loved gorilla groups because of the stubborn individuals and bravery they display, especially when they are visited by tourists.it has 17 members under Batwata leadership
What is the Batwa cultural experience of the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
According to anthropologists, the Batwa people lived over 60,000 years ago. They were indigenous forest people who lived in harmony with mountain gorillas. The Batwa people are believed to be among the first inhabitants of the earth.
The Batwa people are the original inhabitants of the Great Lakes of East Africa. Survived by hunting bush meat and gathering edible fruits from the forest surroundings. Batwa hunting was done with the use of poison-tipped arrows, and the Batwa’s homes were made from durable sticks, plants, leaves, and vines.
The Batwa indigenous people were the initial hunters and gatherers that were forced to live in their natural home since Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was declared a national park to protect mountain gorillas and not the human element.
The Batwa people share 98% of their DNA with mountain gorillas, which is why they have never hunted them at any point. As with humans, the presence of the Batwa in Bwindi impenetrable increased the chance of primates getting infected with diseases transmitted from humans to primates. The Batwa were forcibly removed and granted conservation refugee status in 1991.
The Batwa people were unprepared for such a kind of change because they were used to the jungle lifestyle and knew how to thrive in that environment. Although the Batwa lifestyle has managed to survive better, recently the Batwa people have conserved their culture and brought in income through displays of gathering honey, hunting, doing traditional dances, and weaving baskets for tourists.
In addition to your mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda, Devine African Safaris highly recommends that you know the hidden story behind the Batwa.
When is the best time to visit Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park
The best time to tour the Ruhija sector is from June, July, August, September and December, February, and March. These are Uganda’s driest months, making mountain gorilla trekking much easier and more comfortable, although rain is expected at any time. But mountain gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year.