Activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park : Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda on the edge of the rift valley in Kanungu district. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 120 mammal species including forest elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, primates like the endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, baboons and more than 350 bird species. Bwindi impenetrable national park is divided into four sectors namely Buhoma sector in the north, Nkuringo sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the east, Rushaga sector in the south and it offers various interesting activities which include;
Activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is the major activity that attracts big numbers of tourist. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 21 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking daily. Trekking of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will be grouped into 8 people, allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is conversant with gorilla trekking trails. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 30 minutes to 7 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 like chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, baboons, view mammals like antelopes, elephants, view different bird species among others. Once the gorillas are located you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to learn more about their behaviors, watch gorillas feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record videos.
Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla habituation experience is the second best one activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park after gorilla trekking. Gorilla habituation is the process where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. The habituation process involves a team of scientists, researchers, gorilla doctors, park rangers, park guides among others and it takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be complete. Just like gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation experience starts very early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rules, regulations and expectations. After the briefing you will join a team of researchers and start trekking in the jungle. Gorilla habituation experience takes a whole day and during trekking you will be able to view different wildlife species and once the gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend four hours in their presence which gives you a chance to monitor their behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities, engage in gorilla naming, take photos among others.
Bird watching in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of more than 360 recorded bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics, forest birds, migratory birds among others which make Bwindi impenetrable national park one of the best birding areas. Bird watching in Bwindi impenetrable national park is best done along Buhoma waterfall trail, bamboo zone, Mubwindi swamp trail in Ruhija, Buhoma visitor Centre near River Munyaga among others. During bird watching you will be able accompanied by an experienced bird guide where you will be able to view different bird species like crested guinea fowl, cassins flycatcher, yellow fronted canary, dusky twin spot, African paradise flycatcher, brown capped weaver, Ruwenzori batis, grey crowned crane, pink footed puff back, snowy crowned robin chat, grey crowned crane, wallers starling, archers robin chat, great blue turaco, grey cheeked hornbill, African pygmy kingfisher, blue spotted wood dove, double toothed barbet, African wood owl, African goshawk, handsome francolin, Mackinnon’s shrike, African emerald cuckoo, white tailed blue flycatcher, red headed bluebill, common bulbul among others.
Batwa cultural tour in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Batwa cultural tour is an incredible activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park where you will be able to interact with the Batwa/ pygmies who used to live in Bwindi forest before it was gazette into a national park. Batwa cultural experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park begins with a nature walk through the forest where you will be able to learn how they lived in the forest, their hunting skills, gathering skills, learn how to hunt with bow and arrow, visit the traditional Batwa homesteads, learn how the Batwa women prepare traditional meals, listen to ancient stories, enjoy traditional entertainments among others.
Nature walk/ hiking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Nature walk is an interesting and adventurous 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 armed park ranger to protect you from dangerous animals. There are different hiking trails in Bwindi impenetrable national park including Ivy river trail, Kashasha trail, Munyaga River 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 get up close and personal with different wildlife species including animals like elephants, antelopes, primates like l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, view different bird species, colorful butterflies, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, enjoy the cool breeze among others.
Best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national 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 little or less rainfall therefore vegetation will be thin which helps you to clearly view different bird species, hiking and gorilla trekking trails will also be dry and passable.
Bwindi impenetrable national 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 birding where bird lovers will get an opportunity to view 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 your safari. The accommodations are categorized into three types for example budget, midrange and luxury including Buhoma lodge, Wag tail safari lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla lodge, Four gorillas lodge, Lake Mulehe safari lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Chameleon Hill lodge, Cuckooland Tented lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist camp, Bwindi Jungle View lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Buhoma Haven lodge, Mahogany Springs lodge, Engagi lodge, Gorilla Resort, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest camp, Silverback lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp among others.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a gorilla destination located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
Road transport, when using road transport means, you will drive from Entebbe/ Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive in a 4 WD safari vehicle.
Air transport means, when using air transport means you will book charter or scheduled domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips. Domestic flights to Bwindi impenetrable national park can be booked by your trusted tour operator.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a must visit destination in Uganda in that if offers interesting, adventurous and memorable activities. For more information you can contact us at Achieve global safaris or visit our website for different Uganda safari packages in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
