Things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park

Things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park

Things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park; Bwindi impenetrable national park is a gorilla destination located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu district. The park is one of the national parks in Uganda that is famously known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas which are found in four sectors namely Rushaga sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhija sector in the East and Nkuringo sector in the south. The park is also known for harboring other wildlife species including mammals like forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, duikers, giant forest hogs, and variety of bird species.

Things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park

Gorilla trekking is the major activity in the park that attracts big numbers of tourists. The activity involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their habitat. The park is a home of more than 19 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis. Trekking of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will be divided into groups of 8 people and start trekking in the jungle with an experienced park guide who is knowledgeable about the mountain gorillas and also conversant with gorilla trekking trails. During gorilla trekking which takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours, you will be able to view other primates like chimpanzees, l-hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, view different bird species, mammals among others. Once the mountain gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to take photos, learn more about their behaviors, record videos among others.

Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park

Gorilla habituation experience is the second best done activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park and it involves training of the wild mountain gorillas to get used to human presence for trekking.  Gorilla habituation experience is only carried out in Rushaga sector southern part of the park and it takes 2 to 3 years to be complete. The habituation experience only allows a maximum number of 4 people and it starts with a briefing at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will join a team of researchers, scientists, park guides, park rangers and start trekking in the forest. During Gorilla trekking you will be able to view other wildlife species such as mammals, birds, plants among others and once the gorillas are found you will be allowed to spend four hours with them in their environment. During the four hours with the mountain gorillas you will be able to watch gorillas carry out their daily activities, monitor and record their behaviors, learn about the naming of gorillas, take photos among others.

Batwa cultural experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park

Batwa cultural experience is another interesting activity in the park and the activity was put in place by the displaced Batwa to educate or share their traditions with the world. The Batwa cultural experience takes place outside the park and starts with a nature walk/hike through the forest where you will be able to learn their hunting and gathering skills, how they used to live, visit their traditional homesteads, talk to ancient men and learn about the different medicinal plants, learn how the Batwa women prepare their traditional meals, listen to ancient stories, enjoy their traditional songs and drama among others.

Bird watching in Bwindi impenetrable national park

The park is a home of more than 360 recorded bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics which make Bwindi forest one of the ideal bird watching destinations. During bird watching you will be accompanied by an experience park guide who will help you to sport different bird species including blue headed sunbird, short tailed warbler, common bulbul, white tailed blue flycatcher, red headed bluebill, African emerald cuckoo, kivu ground thrush, crowned hornbill, giant kingfisher, African green pigeon, Ruwenzori nightjar, red faced woodland, African green broadbill, dusky crimson wing, purple breasted sunbird, yellow eyed black flycatcher, strange weaver, strip breasted tit, Shelley’s crimson wing, archers robin chat, dwarf honey guide among others.

Nature walks/ hiking in Bwindi impenetrable national park

This is an interesting activity that gives you an opportunity to get up-close and personal with wildlife species in the park. There are different trails to follow during the guided nature walk including the Ivy river trail, Kashasha trail, Munyaga waterfall trail, Mubwindi swamp trail, Muzabajiro loop trail, Bamboo trail, Rushura hill trail, Habinyanja trail, Rusizi river trail among others. During the guided nature walk you will be able to view a number animals, primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, view colorful butterflies, forest birds, enjoy the cool breeze, take beautiful pictures among others.

Best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park

The park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season the national park receives less rainfall therefore access roads to the national park and gorilla trekking trails will be passable, vegetation in the park will be thin which helps you to view mountain gorillas and other wildlife species clearly.

The park can also be visited in the wet season during the months of March to May and November because that’s the best time for bird watching when bird lovers will be able to view colorful bird species.

Where to stay in Bwindi impenetrable national park

There are a number of accommodation facilities in the park where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from luxury, midrange and budget including Buhoma lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla lodge, Wag Tail Safari lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari lodge, Four Gorillas lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Gift of Nature lodge, Ruhija Safari lodge, Bwindi Jungle View lodge, Cuckooland Tented lodge, Chameleon Hill lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge, Bwindi Guest House, Eco Marvels Gorilla Lodge, Engagi lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Silverback lodge among others.

How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park

Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala or Entebbe international airport via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.

The park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where by tourists will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 3 to 4 hours drive.

The park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book scheduled or charter flights by Aerolink Uganda limited from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airfields.