It is great news in the tourism industry of Uganda as a new baby gorilla gets conservationists and gorilla lovers excited in the Bitukura gorilla family in Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The new arrival was recorded today morning on the 15th of May 2021.
In its official press release via its social media accounts, UWA wrote; ‘’ Bitukura gorilla group in Ruhiija is blessed with a new born baby. This increases the group number to 13 individuals. Congratulations to the group and welcome baby Gorilla’’.
With the new gorilla birth, Bitukura gorilla family group now boasts of 13 mountain gorillas. Like any other gorilla family, this gorilla family is led by a silverback gorilla and it comprises of other black backs, juveniles, females. Bitukura is one of the habituated gorilla families set for gorilla trekking in Ruhija sector.
Ruhija is located in the Eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and has three gorilla families which include Bitukura gorilla family, Oruzogo Gorilla family and Kyaguriro gorilla family. Currently, study cites that there exist about 1000-plus mountain gorillas on earth and with the new birth recorded, it is incredible news not only to conservationists but also to visitors who come to trek these rare species.
Mountain gorillas still remain endangered species thus requiring more efforts to ensure they thrive not only for today but also for the next future generations to come. Uganda is generally an affordable gorilla safari destination with gorilla permits costing tourists only US$ 700 (for foreign non-residents), US$ 600 (foreign resident) and UGX 250000 (citizens in East African Community).
How to get to Ruhija to Trek Mountain Gorillas:
Ruhija sector is an amazing gorilla trekking region in eastern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda. It can easily be reached by tourists on gorilla safari either by road or by air. By road, take the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route a journey estimated to cover between 8 and 10 hours.
Or you can drive from Rwanda through border crossing via Katuna border to Kabale then to Bwindi or Cyanika border crossing to Kisoro then to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There is also an option of taking a flight starting from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip where you can easily be transferred to the Ruhija sector of Bwindi.
