Top 6 things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Top 6 things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park; Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda located in southwestern region in Kanungu district. The national park was gazetted in 1991 and covers a total area of 321 square kilometers. Bwindi impenetrable national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to its unique biodiversity and is famously known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas, other primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, mammals like forest pigs, forest elephants, buffaloes, duikers and over 360 bird species.
Top 6 things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking is one of the top activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park and it involves tourists moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their habitat. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of over 22 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors namely Buhoma sector in the north, Rushaga sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle which takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primates, bird species among others and once the gorillas are found, you will be able to spend one hour with them in their environment where you will get a chance to learn about their behaviors, watch the gorillas feed, breastfeed, play, groom young ones, take photos and record the beautiful moments.
- Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla habituation experience is an adventurous activity where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park is only done in Rushaga sector and it involves a team of researchers, trackers, park rangers, conservationists among others. Gorilla habituation experience takes a period of about 2 to 3 years to be complete and it starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. During gorilla habituation experience which takes a whole day, you will be able to view other wildlife species including primates, animals, birds among others. Once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend four hours with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn and monitor their behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos among others, Top 6 things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Batwa cultural tour in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Batwa cultural tour is another interesting activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park where you will be able to interact with the Batwa people who used to live in Bwindi forest before it was gazetted into a national park. During the Batwa cultural tour, you will be able to learn about their hunting and gathering skills, visit the grass thatched huts where they used to live, visit their traditional homesteads, learn about their way of life, learn how the Batwa women prepare traditional meals, listen to their ancient stories, enjoy their traditional performances among others.
- Bird watching in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of over 360 recorded bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemic species, 14 species which are not found anywhere in Uganda, forest birds and migratory birds which makes Bwindi impenetrable national one of the best birding destinations. During bird watching, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide and follow different birding areas like the bamboo zone, Buhoma waterfall trail, Mubwindi swamp trail among others where you will be able to view a variety of bird species including Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Strange weaver, Rwenzori batis, Double-collared Sunbird, Archers Robin-chat, Grauer’s Broadbill, Montane Masked Apalis, Rwenzori Turaco, Neumanns Warbler, Yellow-crested Helmet Shrike, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Kivu Ground Thrush, Blue-headed Sunbird, Grey-headed Negrofinch, Brown Wooded Warbler, Grey Apalis, Honeyguide Greenbul, Great Blue Turaco, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Dusky Crested Flycatcher, Cassin’s Hawk-eagle, Buff-throated Apalis, African Pitta, Handsome Francolin, Grey Guckoo-shrike, African Wood Owl, Bar-tailed Trogon, Red-throated Alethe, Chapin’s Flycatcher among others.
- Nature walk in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Nature walk is another top activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park where you will be able to explore the park on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and an armed park ranger. During the guided nature walk, you will be able to follow different trails like the Kashasha river trail, Bamboo trail, Mubwindi swamp trail, The Ivy river trail, Muzabajiro loop trail, Rushura hill trail, Habinyanja trail, Munyanga waterfall trail, Rusizi river trail among others where you will be able to view different wildlife species, primates, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, enjoy great view of the scenery among others.
- Mountain biking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Mountain biking is an exciting activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park where travelers will be able to explore the park on a bike. During mountain biking which starts in the morning, you will follow well-maintained trails from Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, Rushaga sector and Nkuringo sector where you will be able to enjoy stunning views of different bird species, primates like red tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, animals, beautiful scenery, pass through the villages among others. Tourists interested in mountain biking activity can hire the bicycles from Ride 4 a woman organization.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means. When using road transport means, you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
Bwindi impenetrable national park can as well be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to Bwindi impenetrable national park via Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
When using air transport means, you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Bar aviation or Aero link Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park can be visited anytime of the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the national park therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy, Top 6 things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be visited in the wet/ rainy season in the months of March to May and October to November because that’s the best time for bird watching where bird lovers will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species.
Where to stay in Bwindi impenetrable national park
There are a wide range of accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable national park where you can stay during the safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Gorilla leisure lodge, Bwindi lodge, Tracker safari lodge, Eco Marvels gorilla resort, Gorilla valley lodge, Lake Chahafi resort, Ruhija community rest camp, Bwindi forest lodge, Four gorillas lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi lodge, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Lake Mulehe safari lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Wag Tail safari lodge, Ruhija gorilla safari lodge, Trekkers Tavern cottages, Gift of nature lodge, Cuckooland Tented lodge, Ruhija gorilla mist camp, Chameleon hill lodge, Buhoma lodge, Buhoma haven lodge, Buhoma community rest camp, Clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Bwindi view Bandas, Bwindi jungle view lodge, Bwindi guest house, Gorilla resort, Mahogany springs lodge, Engagi lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi camp, Sanctuary gorilla forest camp, Ruhija gorilla friends resort, Silverback lodge among others.
For exciting and unforgettable experiences, Bwindi impenetrable national park can be combined with Kibale forest national park. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various Uganda safari packages.
