CTPH Gorilla Conservation camp is one of Bwindi’s only budget options
offering accommodation on the edge of the beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park. For those who don’t want to splash out on staying in one
of the high end lodges and also want to give something back to a local
project, CTPH Gorilla conservation camp offers rustic but comfortable
accommodation for tourists, students and researchers and puts 100% of
profits towards gorilla conservation.

The camp was the first to be operational in the area when Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park was opened for Gorilla Tourism in 1993. Today
the camp has four single/double tents based around a shaded dining area
set amongst the trees. Located in Buhoma Village CTPH conservation camp
is in close proximity to the Batwa village and only 2km from the
entrance to the national park.

The camp is also home to CTPH’s Gorilla Research Clinic, which you can
visit during your stay. The clinic works in conjunction with Ugandan
Wildlife Authority to analyse gorilla data to help prevent the spread of
disease between the local population and the gorillas, helping to
conserve the endangered mountain gorilla. Bwindi is home to half the
mountain gorillas in the world and staying at CTPH conservation camp you
are helping to ensure their survival.

For further information please visit www.ctph.org

To make a booking:
Email: gorillaconservationcamp@ctph.org
Call: +256782509151/+256794509151

is among Africa’s deepest lakes with beautiful scenes one of which was in “Lord of the Rings” the lake is Bilharzia free and dotted with numerous island, bordered by terraced cultivated fields plus mountains.  You can with no trouble spend some days here, enjoying canoe trips, butterflies, sailing, birds, hiking through the islands, and also taste its famous and delicious crayfish.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Safari

A wonderful park to enjoy Gorilla Tracking, hiking the extinct volcanoes, Tracking the Golden Monkey plus hikes.  Reside in the adjacent Lake Mutanda to enjoy the splendor of the lake as you explore Mgahinga National Park.  The park’s beauty is extremely overwhelming.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

An ideal place close to Bwindi where to enjoy the various bird species and game living in Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Observe the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Plains, Wildlife plus birds along the beautiful Kazinga Channel as well as Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.  There are several activities to do and things to see in Queen Elizabeth Park and it is among the best additions for a Mountain Gorilla Safari within Uganda.

Kibale Forest Jungle

Chimpanzees, has most primates in the whole of East Africa.  Chimpanzee Tracking, night-time walks in the jungle, reside in a lodging and you see the impressive forest elephants roaming around.  Observe primates play about while staying in one of the tree houses in the jungle.

Lake Mburo National Park

The ideal stop over while on your trip to as well as from Bwindi, Mgahinga Gorilla Park, or Queen Elizabeth National Park.  The best overnight take pleasure in the zebras plus additional wildlife within the park.  Reside in some wonderful accommodations and take pleasure in the marvels of Lake Mburo National Park.

This Mubare Mountain Gorilla Group was actually the first to habituated within Uganda.  the Uganda Wildlife Authority In 1991 started the habituation process (which means that they are familiar to getting into contact with humans).  This process took about 2 years and by 1993 they started receiving tourist visitors.  The group was named after the gorgeous Mubare Hills in which this group was first seen. The Mubare family had 18 gorillas however because of some of them moving to different groups, life loss during fights as well as the death of a baby in 2009 this number reduced to 5 presently.

This is a very pleasurable Group to worth visiting within the Buhoma region in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Mubare Family Members:

•             Kanyonyi – the blackback

•             Kashundwe – the adult female

•             Muyambi – the sub-adult male

•             Malaika – the sub-adult female

•             Kashundwe baby – the infant

•             Makara – the dominant silverback

•             Maraya the blackback

•             Mizano – the blackback which died – was caught in one of the poacher’s (who attacked with Dogs plus Spears) traps and brutally killed him in Mizano

•             Binyonko the adult female

•             Nyabuche the adult female

•             Nyamuhango the adult female

•             Rukundo the adult female

•             Kisho the adult female

•             Rugyendo the adult female

•             Kavuyo the sub-adult male

•             Ruyombo the sub-adult female

•             Malaika the juvenile female

•             Hamusini the juvenile

•             Elisa the juvenile

•             Rugyendo Baby infant

Binyonko Baby infant

•             Binyonko Baby the infant

Kisho Baby infant

•             Rukundo Baby infant

•             Nyabuche Baby the Newborn

The Rushegura Group (as well called the R Group) is among the larger Groups of Gorillas

Rushegura Gorilla Group was in 2000 habituated and later opened in 2002 for tourism within the Buhoma region for gorilla tracking.  This Rushegura is a fragment group from Habinyanja group.  It is extremely active within the Buhoma region and covers a broad territory – sometimes going to Batwa village, UWA park-office Bwindi Waterfall and even Buhoma Camp, and such sightings are normally a bonus. These move into the adjacent Banana groves at times. Currently There are 19 Gorillas within the Rushegura Group.

Rushegura Family Members:

•             Mwirima the dominant silverback

•             Kabukojo the blackback

•             Kyirinvi the adult female

•             Kibande the adult female

•             Buzinza the adult female

•             Nyamunwa the adult female

•             Karungyi the adult female

•             Kalembezi the sub-adult male

•             Ruterana a sub-adult female

•             Nyampazi a juvenile

•             Kafuruka a juvenile

•             Kibande baby a juvenile

•             Karungyi baby a juvenile

•             Kanywanyi a juvenile

•             Kyirinvi baby an infant

•             Buzinza baby an infant

•             Nyamunwa baby an infant

•             Kibande second baby an infant

•             Katabazi an infant

Bitukura Group is among the newer Gorilla Families that were habituated

Bitukura Gorilla Group: It is a more latest habituated group within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Ruhija part of this park. The group is fascinating with four silverbacks with Ndahura the 2^nd youngest silverback being the leader. Except the dominant male, the silverbacks move together with two blackbacks belonging to this group. An association between Rukara plus Rukumu both silverbacks and Mugisha plus Obia both blackbacks and these associations are better seen during wrangles between the bigger males.

Bitukura Family Members:

•             Ndahura the dominant silverback

•             Karamuzi the 2nd silverback

•             Rukumu the 3rd silverback

•             Rukara the 4th silverback

•             Betina the adult female

•             Ruhara the adult female

•             Kamuga the adult female

•             Obia the blackback

•             Mugisha the blackback

•             Twakire a juvenile

•             Kabandize ajuvenile- who moved from Kyaguliro

•             Kadogo an infant

•             Mubwindi an infant

Mishaya Gorilla Group – separated from the largest Group of Mountain Gorillas in East plus Central Africa; the Nshongi Gorilla Group. This Mishaya Mountain Group:  by July in 2010 a newer habituated Group of mountain Gorillas called the Nshongi – then the biggest group within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – however similar to several  families sometimes- a family argument arose and 1 of the formerly sub-ordinate Silverbacks – Miyasha led a uprising and split from the major group with close to 8 gorillas.

Mishaya – led his new group of-rebels to the greener pastures within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and it’s for that reason that the Rushaga area found in Southern Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has 2 Gorilla Groups.

The Rushaga area is a huge location within Bwindi -plus the Mishaya Group is a wonderful group to actually track there.

Mishaya Family Members:

•             Mishaya the dominant silverback

•             Bakunzi the adult female

•             Mwiza the adult female

•             Rutaro a juvenile

•             Mize a juvenile

•             Mwiza Baby 1 an infant

•             Mwiza baby 2 an infant

•             Bakunzi baby an infant

•             Unknown infant 1

•             Unknown infant 2

Nature plus Village Mountain Bicycles Guided Rides at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest,  enjoy a mountain bike ride within Bwindi to support the local adjacent community and the Ride 4 a Woman organization. get pleasure from the exciting scenery of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or opt for a bike ride in the village.

The Ride 4 a Woman Organization offers a brand-new activity enjoyed at Buhoma that allows visitor to partake a variety of Bicycle rides within the forest and within the local community.  Those people that participate in such activities directly offer support the neighboring community.  The mountain bike ride ventures in Bwindi are managed by a woman’s group which offers trained guides, a repair -shop  for these bikes and every participant that helps in this program receives direct reimbursement from visitors to Buhoma enjoying a ride on the bike.

Ride 4 Woman Trails for Mountain Biking

Ride 4 a Woman – Forest Trail:  This is a 3 hr guided bicycle-ride within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with emphasis on birding, or just enjoying this very old forest.

A Bike Ride to River Ivy and later return with a lot to see on the way like monkeys, occasional chimpanzees or if lucky Mountain Gorillas, squirrels as well as duikers.

The guides are all expertly trained in identifying any things that visitors may otherwise miss-out.  For the devoted or novice bikers, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest offers the ideal setting for such activity.  Remember that altitude is a factor here because Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is among of the higher places in Uganda.

Carry along a snack plus plenty of drinking water to take during the breaks within the forest.

Ride 4 a Woman – Village Bike Ride:  it is a 2 hour alternative that trails the route followed when on the village walk, although you will be on a mountain bike.  Fortunately, there isn’t much traffic; it is just you and the locals of Buhoma.

During this bike ride visitors learn about the lifestyles of the Batwa as well as Bagika people and will see as well as learn things they knew nothing about.

tour the fascinating craft center, the traditional medicinal healer with his different medicines collected from the forest, the gin distillery and the banana brewery, Mukono Primary School, as well as the river to see women washing their clothes in addition to observe the plentiful of butterflies on the adjacent rock and above all  the Batwa-Pygmy community. Do All this on a mountain bike in the company of a private guide to answer any question as well as point out the various things in this community.

The Walk starts at Buhoma Community Rest Camp in the company of your guide and is very informative, as well as rewarding. You will be amazed at how resourceful these local residents are as you personally observe and learn their lifestyle. The First stop is seeing women make handicrafts while others weaving baskets at the community crafts center and there you can buy some of these and this will greatly be appreciated.

There is a waterfall in the center of the farmland and as well you can see the hard working women in the fields nurture their crops. The basic equipment used here is a hoe plus their energy with no high-tech equipment.  In season see them picking tea, observe how the newest leaves are carefully picked by the skillful pickers. On these cold hillsides a diversity of tea is cultivated and definitely you can carry some back home to enjoy in your country with friends and family and certainly you will have reason to remember you experience within and around the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

You will Stop by River Muyaga and observe women washing their clothes in the customary way using hands – there aren’t any washing machines but just their hands, and  on the adjacent rocks you will enjoy a breathtaking sight of several multi-colored butterflies. Stop in the center of a Banana plantation and there is traditional brewing demonstration that uses Bananas and includes the distilling of one of the local gins made out of Bananas (called Waragi- a name driven from ‘War Gin’ as called by the Ugandan soldiers that returned from World War II).  Uganda is literally a ‘banana republic’ as it produces most Bananas (with more than 50 varieties) compared to other country excluding Brazil, which isn’t terrible for a country approximated to the size of Oregon State.  In addition you can taste the local-beer (Heineken) made out of Bananas – look out; here comes Uganda’s Bwindi -Banana Brew yet to be internationally marketed.

Traditional Healer, this healer isn’t a witch doctor however a person that knows how to uses resources from the forest to treat sickness.  You certainly will be stunned by his great knowledge and informative exhibition. Visit the community Mukono Primary School to meet the students and their teachers – startling how one can study without computers, electricity or even lights, – however the very marvelous thing is the amazing spirit of these children.

Lastly – visit the Batwa -Pygmy community who originally where the inhabitants of this forest – however they lost their home when Bwindi Forest National Park was established. Finish the trip entertainment of a traditional dance. Three hrs of a very rewarding informative pleasurable walk that offers you an opportunity to directly support this local community

Below is a List of the Habituated Gorilla Groups and where they are located

The groups listed below are those currently available for Gorilla Tracking within Uganda

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Buhoma Area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

•             Mubare Group:  this Mubare group (also called the M-Group) – was the very first group to actually be habituated for tracking by tourists. the habituation started in 1991 and this group received its very  first tracking visitors in 1993.  Mubare group is actually named after the stunning Mubare Hills in which this group was discovered.

•             Habinyanja Group: This Habinyanja Group was in 1997 habituated for tracking and received tourists in the year 1999. In the start it was a huge group, however a family was split from it named the Rushegura Group.  These two groups crisscross each other now and again and co-exist peacefully.

•             Rushegura Group:  This Rushegura Group was in 2000 habituated for tracking and received tourists in the year 2002.  It is a huge group within the Buhoma area of Bwindi Forest.

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Ruhija region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – habitat of the Bitukura Gorilla group

•             Bitukura Group:   This Bitukura Group is among of the newest groups in Bwindi Forest- it is found and roams the verdant forest within the Ruhija area. There is restricted lodging in this area – although that available is offered in moderate plus high-class lodges.

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Rushaga region of Bwindi Forest  – habitat of the Nshongi Group as well as the Mishaya Gorilla Family

•             Mishaya Group:  following a family dispute- the Mishaya Gorilla family Split from the then biggest Gorilla Group in Bwindi Forest – the Nshongi Gorilla Family – which two still live within the Rushaga  region in Southern Bwindi Forest.

•             Nshongi Group:  This currently is the biggest habituated gorilla family in Uganda with 25 members , at the opening of the group for visitors after Habituation it comprised of 25, and 10 left to form another family  called the Mishaya Group.

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Nkuringo Region of Bwindi Forest – which is among the more physically challenging although rewarding regions in the of forest to enjoy Gorilla Tracking – habitat to the Nkuringo Gorilla Family

•             Nkuringo Group:   The accommodation facilities found at Nkuringo – offer a breathtaking worth the cost of the gorilla-permits- this is among of the most challenging hikes in Uganda – although undoubtedly worthwhile- as it is the most pleasing.  The Group comprises of 19 members and is a favorite to people who have tracked over one group.