Bikingi gorilla family is one of the new gorilla families to open for gorilla tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This group underwent habituation exercise since 2012 till mid-2016 and originally, it was designated for gorilla habituation experience together with Bushaho gorilla group of Nkuringo. It is an exceptional gorilla group anyone on gorilla holiday should expect to trek while in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda.
Bikingi gorilla group dwells within the Rushaga sector of Bwindi National Park and most of its members were from Mishaya that had previously not undergone habituation. It is due to the fact that most of them were non-habituated that made Bikingi to undergo habituation process. Today, Bikingi gorilla family is fully open to holidaymakers on gorilla safari in Uganda. The group comprises of 15 family members inclusive of Bikingi silverback.
Tracking Bikingi gorilla family?
The group is trekked by a maximum of 8 visitors like the rest of the families in Uganda. Treks begin with early morning briefing on dos and don’ts to be followed while with a family of mountain gorillas in the wild. Before you think of trekking Bikingi gorilla family, first, a gorilla permit must be booked and each permit is available for reservation at US $700 as a foreign non-resident, US $600 in case of foreign residents and Uganda plus other citizens within East Africa Community pay Uganda shillings 250,000. Considering the high demand, we advise you to have your Bikingi gorilla permit reserved early 2-4 months before the actual date of tracking.
Other than Bikingi, Rushaga region-the southern sector of Bwindi also hosts other families including Mishaya, Mucunguzi, Bweza, Rwingi, Busingye, Kahungye, Kutu and Nshongi.
When to go to track Bikingi family of Rushaga?
Bikingi can be excellently trekked during the dry season which occurs twice a year. The first phase which is recorded from June till September and December to February. These are ideal months due to clear vegetation, low rainfall levels and steep slopes aren’t slippery like it is during the wet or rainy season from March to May and October to November.
Accommodation.
Places to stay if you travel to track this gorilla family are concentrated around Rushaga region. They include Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga gorilla Camp and others.
Accessing Rushaga sector.
Tourists in need of tracking Bikingi family of Bwindi must drive up to Rushaga sector from Kampala/Entebbe or Kigali Rwanda. From Kampala/Entebbe, it takes holidaymakers close to 9-10 hours to drive via Masaka-Mbarara to Kabale/Kisoro in Southwestern Uganda. From Kigali Rwanda, your journey is estimated to take about 3 to 4 hours and you cross through Chanika border to Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale.
By air, it is a short trip to Rushaga sector because flight services are available at Entebbe airport and Kajjansi airfield taking visitors up to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips. It is easier to connect to Rushaga while at any of the 2 airstrips and you get a chance to track Bikingi.
