Activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park/ Top Things To Do In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; They include Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Bird watching tours, Gorilla Habituation Experience, Batwa Cultural Experience, Hiking, and Nature walks among others. However, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famously known to host the world’s highest population of endangered mountain gorillas,350 birds, and around 120 mammal species. Furthermore, the park has over 22 habituated gorilla families where gorilla trekking takes place and they are divided into four gorilla sectors; Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo gorilla sector. Even though the park is located in the southwestern Uganda region, estimated to be an 8 to 9 hours drive, however, road transport is a bit long traveling journey but rewarding with beautiful nature, landscape, rolling hills, and countryside. Alternatively, you can either fly from Entebbe or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro by Aerolink or Bar Aviation. The flight lasts for about 1:20 minutes to land on the Airstrip and then be picked up by the safari driver guide to drive you to the lodge. Generally, Gorilla trekking is a life-changing experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has got all kinds of accommodations ranging from Luxury, Mid-range, and Budget. So there is no need to worry about where to spend your overnight stay during Gorilla Safaris in the park. Here are the top things or activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park;
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas fully habituated for safaris. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi is such an unforgettable life experience from the hike.
This stunning life-changing experience is done in different gorilla families and 8 visitors are allocated to trek with a single gorilla family each day you must be 15 years of age and above. The trekking experience can take about 30 to 7 hours depending on their location in their natural environment. The trekking experience involves moving on foot in the thick forest, and river trails as well as hiking in pursuit of the elusive gentle giants.
Once gorillas are allocated, one hour is permitted for all those tracking the giant which is the moment for watching, interacting, and capturing unforgettable photography. After the gorilla trekking experience, you will feel all the worth spending on a gorilla tour.
One to be able to be part of a gorilla safari in Uganda, each visitor must purchase a gorilla permit which can be booked through the different tour operators in Uganda. Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits cost USD700 per person per day and Rwanda’s Gorilla Trekking Permits cost USD1,500 per person per day and Congo gorilla permits sound cheaper at USD400.
Gorilla Habituation Experience –Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In all places where mountain gorilla trekking is done, there is only one place where the Gorilla habituation experience is conducted. Therefore, the Mountain gorillas in the world can be seen in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both found in Uganda ‘’ the Pearl of Africa’’ and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the world, Gorilla Habituation Experience is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is the process whereby the gorillas are taken through a period these species get used to human eye contact and are comfortable with human presence. Meanwhile, the process takes about two to three years until the park ranger guide notices whether they are ready for tourism.
Unlike gorilla trekking which offers a maximum of one hour to stay on watch of these rare gorillas. The gorilla habituation experience spends four ‘’4 hours’’ with the mountain gorillas.
During the trekking activity, you will be able to study the behaviors of mountain gorillas as they get familiar with human beings. Note; They are said to share 98% DNA of humans.
The Gorilla habituation experience is a full-day experience that starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters after you will be grouped into a group of four people accompanied by researchers, a park ranger guide, and doctors. Once you find these habituated gorilla families in the Rushaga gorilla sector, you will be given fours to spend with them and get to learn about their behaviors and lifestyle as well as take photography.
Bird Watching in Bwindi
The park is one of Africa’s bird-watching destinations. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to about 350 bird species including 25 restricted range of bird species and about 23 are Albertine Rift endemics. Some of the lists of bird species include; Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruel’s Rush Warbler, Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Crimson wing, Honey-guide, Yellow–eyed black Fly-catcher and White-tailed Blue Monarch among others.
The best bird spotting areas in the Bwindi is; Buhoma and Ruhija sectors and around the Mubwindi swamp where you can spot rare bird species. Do not hesitate to book the experience with us at Achieve Global Safaris also organize meal plans, transportation, and accommodation for your comfortable relaxation moment based on your budget.
Hiking
The park offers different several trails to hike onto in this region. Some of the trails during the gorilla habituation experience and gorilla trekking safari lead you to the top of waterfalls found in the Rushaga region.
These trails also take to Kashasha River Trail which takes about 5 hours among others
Cultural Encounter
A Batwa cultural tour is one of the activities done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Batwa people are referred to as the pigmies. And the Batwa tribe is one of the indigenous tribes found in Uganda.
Get started now with a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you can combine wildlife safari to Pian Upe wildlife Reserve with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest among other activities.
