Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda

Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla trekking is absolutely a unique wildlife activity and experience that attracts thousands of Uganda safari goers each year into Bwindi National Park. There are 4 major areas or regions in Bwindi, each with already habituated gorilla families for gorilla trekking/tracking.

Tourists undergo briefing early morning before setting foot into the jungles of Bwindi to look for mountain gorillas. Briefing time is from 7:00am to 8:00am when you can begin the actual trek with park guide, expecting to take 2-6 hours including one hour of face to face encounter.

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Rules

1. Only use a camera that is free from flashlight for taking photos.
2. No one shall be permitted to set foot into the jungles to trek gorillas if they are sick or ill.
3. Keeping a distance of 10 meters from gorillas is mandatory to prevent spread of infectious diseases to these endangered species.
4. Visitor voices should be kept low at all times while in the jungles.
5. Only those with valid gorilla permits have a chance to visit a habituated family of gorillas in Bwindi/Mgahinga. About 168 gorilla permits are all available for booking in Uganda at USD700 (FNR/Foreign Non-Residents), USD600 (FR. Foreign Residents) and East Africa Citizens Uganda shillings 250,000.
6. One hour of face to face with gorillas is guaranteed upon finding them in the wild.
7. Don’t forget to wear a face mask covering your nose and mouth.
8. Have all human wastes buried deep as recommended by the park official.
9. Trekking gorillas in Uganda is open to persons above 15 year.
10. It is highly prohibited to liter the gorilla habitat.

Gorilla Habituation

There is only one destination to visit for gorilla habituation experience that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

Gorilla habituation is unique from the normal gorilla trekking because it takes a long day or half day of monitoring/following the semi habituated gorilla group to make it used to presence of people before it is opened for actual gorilla trekking. Gorilla habituation permits- Uganda cost USD1500 but guarantees visitors 4 hours face to face with mountain gorillas as opposed to one hour during the normal gorilla trekking.

Birding Tours

Birding is another special Uganda safari activity Bwindi has to offer nature lovers. The park is a host to all 360 bird species in its different birding areas such as Bamboo zone, Mubwindi and Buhoma waterfall trail. The birds to keep an eye on birding tour here include African broadbill, Kivu ground thrush, African wood owl, Handsome francolins, Red headed blue bill,

The special birds of Bwindi N/Park include African wood owl, Regal sunbird, African broadbill, Red headed blue bill, Handsome Francolins, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori batis, Dwarf honey guide, Red throated alethe, African emerald cuckoo, African green pigeon, Flycatchers and more.

Cycling

Cycling is another astonishing experience tourists in Bwindi should expect to enjoy. It is arranged by Ride 4 a Woman a local project intended to support local residents. Bikes are available for renting for interested cyclists/bikers and this amazing activity is conducted on Buhoma sector of Bwindi.

Batwa Experience

Before or after gorilla trekking Bwindi, Batwa cultural experience is the best way to end your day. You visit Batwa community to learn how they lived for 500000 years as hunters and fruit gatherers, how fire can be made using traditional ways and get entertained by dances, music performance and plenty of other activities.

Forest walks/hiking

Over 6 hiking/nature walk trails in Bwindi introduce visitors into the hidden treasures of what this park has to offer. They include among other Buhoma village walk, waterfall trail, Ivy trail, Muzubijiro loop, Habinyanja, Munyaga trail and Rushura hill walk.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Best Time to visit

Uganda safaris in Bwindi National Park can be conducted at any day, time, month of the year. However, the dry season is undoubtedly the best time for anyone to have excellent exploration of this lush protected area. The dry season often begins from June, July, August to September; December, January to February.

Where to stay – Lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi National Park has all accommodation types, budget, mid-range and luxury.

The top budget safari lodges in Bwindi include Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Buhoma Community Camp, Gorilla Friends Resort, Nshongi Camp, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge;

Mid-range lodges include Gorilla Valley Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge while luxury options include Gorilla Mist Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge.

How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

By road, Bwindi is easier accessed in a 4×4 safari vehicle for about 8-9 hours’ drive starting from Entebbe/Kampala; 3-4 hours’ drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park or from Kigali through Chanika/Katuna borders.

By air: fly in gorilla safaris can be arranged and flights begin from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrips where you can easily connect to the Southern sectors of Bwindi that is Nkuringo or Rushaga. The Northern (Buhoma)/Eastern (Ruhija sector) is served best by Kihihi airstrip.