Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a remarkable protected area in Uganda that serves as a sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas and a haven for numerous other plant and animal species.
The National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional biodiversity and its significance in the conservation of endangered mountain gorillas.
Bwindi National Park is estimated to have approximately half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas which reside within the park’s boundaries. The mountain gorillas are considered to be endangered species and Bwindi national park provides a crucial habitat for their survival.
Gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park
When visiting Bwindi national park, there are different sectors where gorillas can be seen during tours and they include the Rushaga sector, Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector and Ruhija sector.
Rushaga is a popular area located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Some of the gorilla families in Rushaga include Mishaya, Nshongi, Bweza, Kahungye , Busingye among others.
The Buhoma Sector is located in the northern park of Bwindi national park and is home to several habituated gorilla families including the Mubare, Habinyanja, and Rushegura families.
Nkuringo sector is also located in the southern part of Bwindi National Park and gorilla families in this sector include the Nkuringo gorilla family, Bikingi and also Bushaho.
Ruhija sector is found in the eastern part of Bwindi national park and some of the gorilla families here include Bitukura family, Oruzogo family, and the Kyaguriro group.
Activities to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Here are some of the top activities to do during tours around Bwindi National Park:
Gorilla trekking
Visitors to the park have the unique opportunity to embark on gorilla trekking expeditions, where they can observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the dense forests of Bwindi in search of gorilla families. Visitors to Bwindi National Park require a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in order to engage in gorilla trekking which costs 700 USD for foreign nonresidents, 600 USD for foreign residents and the charge is 250,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
To guarantee the preservation and maintenance of the gorillas and their habitat, the quantity of these gorilla permits is regulated. It is best to reserve permits well in advance because they often sell out, particularly during the peak travel times.
On the day of the gorilla trek in Bwindi national park, visitors meet at the park headquarters where knowledgeable ranger guides give a briefing on gorilla behavior, safety measures, and trekking etiquette.
In addition, the guides place guests with gorilla families according to criteria like fitness level and personal preferences.
In addition to mountain gorillas, Bwindi National Park is home to over 120 mammal species, including several primates such as chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, and olive baboons.
Gorilla habituation
Gorilla habituation refers to the process of gradually acclimating wild gorillas to human presence, which allows researchers and tourists to spend an extended period of time observing and studying these gorillas.
The cost of gorilla habituation in Bwindi National Park is $1,500 per person per day. This fee includes the park entrance fee, the gorilla habituation permit, and the services of a trained guide and tracker.
Bird watching
The diversity of bird species in Bwindi National Park is equally remarkable, with over 350 bird species recorded. This makes it one of the richest birding destinations in Uganda during explorations of the impenetrable forest and other habitats around the park.
Some of the notable bird species found in the park include the Albertine rift endemics as well as forest birds. Birds of Bwindi national park include African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimsonwing, African emerald cuckoo, the endangered African grey parrot, African Dwarf Kingfisher, the Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, the Great Blue Turaco, African Hoopoe, the Hadada Ibis, the African Skimmer among other bird species.
There are several routes that are popular for bird watching in Bwindi National Park which include Buhoma-Rwamunyoni Trail, Ruhija-Mubwindi Swamp Trail, Nkuringo Trail among others.
Batwa community tours
The Batwa community tours offer a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the culture and way of life of the Batwa people.
These tours provide visitors with a chance to engage with the Batwa community, learn about their traditions and customs, and gain insights into their rich cultural heritage.
During the batwa tours, visitors have the opportunity to engage in activities such as traditional dance performances, storytelling sessions, craft demonstrations, and guided walks through the Bwindi forest.
Community tour experiences allow visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the Batwa’s connection to nature and their traditional way of life. One of the highlights of Batwa community tours is learning about the Batwa’s hunting and gathering techniques.
The Batwa have a deep knowledge of the forest and possess unique skills in tracking animals, identifying medicinal plants, and constructing shelters from natural materials. Visitors can witness firsthand how the Batwa utilize these skills for survival and gain insights into their intimate relationship with nature.
Nature Walks and hiking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi National Park is not only home to gorillas but also boasts stunning natural beauty. There are several nature trails and hiking routes within the park that allow visitors to explore its diverse ecosystems.
These guided walks in Bwindi national park offer opportunities for visitors to spot various bird species, primates like colobus monkeys and chimpanzees, as well as other wildlife such as forest elephants, antelopes, and duikers. The trails vary in difficulty, catering to different fitness levels and interests.
Best time to visit Bwindi
The dry season is the best time to visit Bwindi national park, as the weather is drier and more comfortable for hiking and gorilla trekking.
Bwindi National Park experiences two main seasons which include the dry season from June to October and the wet season March to May and in November.
Lodges around Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a range of lodges and accommodations which include budget, midrange and luxury lodges across the different sectors of the national park.
Some of the lodges of Bwindi national park include Silverback lodge, Nkuringo lodge, Four gorillas lodge, Buhoma lodge, Rushaga gorilla camp, Mahogany springs, Gorilla forest camp, Buhoma haven lodge, Gorilla valley lodge and many others.
How to get to Bwindi
Bwindi national aprk is about 8 hours drive from Entebbe or Kampala and can be accessed by driving via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route.
By flight, visitors can book flights to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrips in Bwindi national park during their gorilla tours. These flights are offered by domestic airlines such as Aerolink.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi
Bwindi gorilla trekking safaris are part of the things to do around Bwindi national park which is located in southwestern Uganda,
The national park is also one of the most popular destinations for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda with over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas living in the dense forests of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Gorilla trekking safaris take about 3 days giving tourists time to get to Bwindi national park and prepare for the gorilla trek. The duration of the gorilla trek can vary significantly based on the location of the gorillas.
Different costs are incurred during Bwindi gorilla trekking safaris including accommodation costs, gorilla permit costs, meal costs and also transportation costs.
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi national park
The gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi national park begins with a briefing by park rangers who provide information about the gorillas, the trekking guidelines, and safety precautions. Visitors are then divided into small groups of 8 and accompanied by experienced guides and trackers.
Upon arrival in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, tourists can start their gorilla trekking experience around the destination. Each group of tourists are assigned a gorilla family which they search for around the forests of Bwindi.
Bwindi national park is home to several habituated gorilla groups in the different sectors of the national park and they include Nkuringo gorilla family, Bushaho gorilla family, Mishaya, Nshongi, Habiyanja, Busingye, Oruzogo among others.
During the search for the gorillas in Bwindi national park, tourists are led by experienced guides and rangers as they follow different trails in search of the gorillas. Once the gorillas are located in the Bwindi forest, tourists can spend 1 hour with them and to enjoy a close experience with them.
The close encounter with gorillas in Bwindi national park provides a rare opportunity for tourists to witness the behavior of the gorillas, their interactions, how the mountain gorillas feed, and their social structure.
It is also important to respect the mountain Gorillas during the gorilla trek in Bwindi national park by keeping a distance of about 7 meters from them. Other rules to follow include avoiding sudden movements while with the gorillas, not touching or feeding the gorillas among others.
After the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi national park, there are several activities tourists can do such as visiting the local communities, hiking, bird watching, guided nature walks and also gorilla habituation experiences.
Gorilla trekking supports local communities through different ways including purchasing locally made crafts and souvenirs, employment as guides and rangers. interactions with the locals through activities like the Batwa community tour is a way for tourists to get to know more about their way of life and culture.
Other destinations where gorilla trekking safaris are done include Volcanoes national park in north western Rwanda, Mgahinga national park in Uganda and also Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Preparing for Bwindi gorilla trekking safaris
Pre-Trip Planning before embarking on your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi national park, there are several things you should do to ensure a successful and enjoyable trip including choosing the right time to visit the national park, getting the gorilla permits, planning the itinerary, what to pack for the gorilla trekking experience.
When planning a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi national park below are the things to consider;
- Choosing the right time to visit Bwindi national park
The best time to visit Bwindi national park is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and also occurs in December to February.
During the dry season, the trails followed during gorilla trekking safaris are easy to navigate due to the favorable weather. It is however also part of the high season with many tourists visiting Bwindi national park to spend time with the gorillas in their natural habitat.
However, Bwindi national park is open for gorilla trekking all year round, and the peak tourist season is during the dry season.
- Planning the itinerary
Planning the itinerary for gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi national park in advance is important to know which routes will be used to get to the national park, where to stay, how to get to Bwindi national park.
Hiring a local guide for a visit in Bwindi national park is recommended for a successful gorilla trek in Uganda as these guides know the routes to get there. The drive from Kampala to Bwindi national park takes about 8 hours using the Kampala-Mbarara-Kabale route. Another way to get there is by flying to Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi national park are done in groups of 8 with the company of ranger guides and porters when navigating the impenetrable Bwindi forest in search of the mountain gorillas.
When planning the itinerary for gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park, tourists can also choose which sector to do gorilla trekking which include Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector and Ruhija sector.
There are different lodges to stay around Bwindi national park during gorilla trekking tours and they include budget, midrange and luxury lodges such as Buhoma lodge, Sanctuary gorilla forest camp, Bakiga lodge, Four gorillas lodge, Ruhija gorilla lodge among others.
- Obtaining the Necessary Permits
To participate in gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park, tourists need to obtain a gorilla permit which can be booked through licensed tour operators.
These gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda is 700 USD for foreign nonresidents, 600 USD for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX for East African citizens.
Booking the gorilla permits in advance is also recommended for tourists to be able to experience the special moments with the gorillas in the wild when visiting Bwindi national park.
- Packing the right gear for gorilla trekking
To ensure a comfortable and successful gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi national park, it is important to pack the right equipments and items.
Items to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park includes comfortable hiking boots, rain gear, a backpack, and plenty of water and snacks.
