In the Kanungu area of southwest Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is situated on the brink of the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley. In Uganda, a typical safari frequently involves visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to search for mountain gorillas. The main tourist activity at Bwindi is monitoring gorillas, and a group of gorillas can only be tracked by a maximum of 8 persons each day. There are 20 habituated gorilla families in the park. Bird watching, guided forest excursions, and exposure to the Batwa culture are some of the other tour activities. Located around 460 kilometres from Kampala, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 331 km2 in size and takes 8 hours to drive from Kampala.
In particular, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to more than 400 of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. Half of the 880 mountain gorillas left in existence today are found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Mountain gorillas, also known as “Gorilla beringei beringei” in scientific jargon, are often regarded as the most severely endangered species of all primates. In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, mountain gorillas are the major draw, and there are presently 12 (twelve) habituated gorilla groups that are open to tourists. Mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park mostly takes place from four trailheads: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a site where birdwatchers can always find what they’re looking for. There are 350 different forest bird species living there, including 23 indigenous Albertine species, 25 species with restricted ranges, and 4 species that are globally threatened. The most frequent birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are listed below. Each bird has a scientific name supplied. These include the African Green Broadbill, the Shelley’s Crimson Wing, the Chapin’s Flycatcher, and the Grauer’s Rush Warbler.
How to dress for mountain gorilla tracking.
It is advisable that visitors bring hiking boots, additional layers of clothing for when it becomes chilly, a rain coat, and gloves. Tracking is also best done when wearing long sleeves and a pair of thick pants.
Gorilla Habituation.
A gorilla habituation experience is accessible in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in addition to the well-known gorilla trekking trip in Bwindi, which is only possible in Bwindi Forest. Although gorilla habituation and permit reservations are accepted year-round in Bwindi forest, we advise making them as soon as possible. One habituation permit costs 1,500 USD per person, not including park entrance fees. As opposed to a one-hour gorilla trekking experience, you are assured to spend four hours with gorillas after your permit has been secured. Researchers, guides, and trackers assist visitors while they are here and get them participate in the habituation process. Four hours will be spent watching, taking pictures, and understanding how gorilla behaviour adapts to human presence. You receive a certificate for your lifelong memories after leaving the jungle, commemorating your gorilla habituation experience.
Hiking and Nature Walk
Hiking and nature walks are two intriguing activities that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has to offer. Visitors may learn about the park’s many features while participating in these activities. Typically, hikers go from Bwindi’s north to south. You may spend the night there and then go to Kisoro the next day by paddling across Lake Mutanda in a wooden dugout. At Lake Mutanda, a boat ride is furthermore an option. The hike distance may be covered in 5 to 9 hours, max. You can choose to walk on the Kashasha River path, which will take you at least 5 hours to complete and has higher inclines, especially if you want to go from Buhoma to Nkuringo, which is 600 metres up the path. All of your inquiries about the local animals and the birds, plants, flowers, ferns, and trees will be answered by knowledgeable and experienced guides.
Bird Watching
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the top birding locations in Africa, with over 348 different bird species having been identified there. This has made Uganda one of the top destinations for bird lovers in Africa, including the Western Green Tinker bird, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Kivu ground-Thrush, Montane Oriole, African Green Broadbill, fine-banded woodpecker, short-tailed warbler, and Regal sandpiper. And is the richest forest in East Africa with its known bio-diversity in terms of trees, plants, butterflies, and birds such as, Western Green Tinker bird, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Kivu ground-Thrush, Montane Oriole, African Green Broadbill, fine-banded woodpecker, short tailed warbler, Regal sunbird, collared Apalis, the shinning African Blue, common Bulbul, African Emerald, white-tailed Blue fly catchers among others.
Batwa Cultural Experience.
The Batwa Experience will also demonstrate how they lived in caves, tree-houses, and cottages constructed of grass and trees. Discover the things that the Batwa people admired and cared about as you live in a traditional Batwa hamlet and share your experiences with other residents.
Accommodation Facilities in Bwindi
Modern safari lodges have been built in Bwindi over the years to offer luxurious lodging to travellers who come to the area to do gorilla tracking. The lodges travellers choose to stay in will rely on their capacity to pay for them or their preferences because these lodges range from low cost to high end luxury facilities. Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and Silverback Lodge are just a few of the safari lodges in Bwindi.
Best Time to Track Mountain Gorillas
Although gorilla tracking is possible throughout the year at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, most visitors like the months of June, July, August, and September as well as December, January, and February. The best time to visit Uganda to see gorillas is during these dry months.
It is essential to reserve your gorilla permit in advance because each permit costs USD 700 per person each trip throughout the entire year in Uganda. You must have a gorilla tracking permission in order to track mountain gorillas, and the easiest way to get one is through your tour company in Uganda or the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Gorilla tracking is a popular tour activity in Bwindi, and a troop of gorillas may only be tracked by a maximum of 8 persons each day. Bird viewing, guided forest excursions, and exposure to the Batwa culture are some of the other tour activities.