Top 5 Things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Top 5 Things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Top 5 things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park: Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu district at the edge of the rift valley. The national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 due to its unique and rich biodiversity which is comprised of abundant wildlife species including mammals like elephants, duikers, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, primates like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, different bird species, plants among others.
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park is famously known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas which are found in four sectors namely Buhoma sector in the north, Rushaga sector in the south, Ruhijja sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south.
Top 5 things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking is one of the major activities that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park. The park is a home of about 19 habituated gorilla families and trekking involves moving deep into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated gorilla families. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park starts very early in the morning at around 8:00am with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing you will be divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is well conversant with different trails in the jungle.
Trekking of mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the 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 such as black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, red tailed monkeys, variety of bird species, colorful butterflies, different plant and tree species among others. Once the gorillas are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you a chance to observe their behaviors, lifestyle, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, rest, take photos and record the breathtaking moments to show people back home after the safari.
- Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is the only gorilla destination in Uganda that offers the adventurous gorilla habituation experience and it’s carried out in Rushaga sector southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Gorilla habituation experience starts with a briefing at the park headquarters where after you will start trekking in the jungle with a team of researchers, park guides, trackers, scientists and park rangers.
The habituation experience takes a whole day and during trekking you will enjoy great views of the beautiful scenery, different plants, view other primates, bird species among others. once the gorillas under habituation process are found you will be allowed to spend four hours with them in their natural environment which gives you an opportunity to observe, monitor and record their behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities like grooming young ones, feeding, breastfeeding, playing, learn about the naming of gorillas, take photos with flash less camera among others.
- Bird watching in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of more than 350 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemic birds, migratory birds and forest birds. During bird watching in Bwindi impenetrable national park you will follow different trails like Mubwindi trail in Ruhija, Pocket Nombe forest trail in Nkuringo and trails near River Munyanga in Buhoma where you will be able to spot variety of bird species including pink footed puffback, yellow rumped tinkerbird, African olive pigeon, Cassin’s flycatcher, Ruwenzori batis, African paradise flycatcher, archers robin chat, white throated greenbul, dusky twin spot, blue spotted wood dove, handsome francolin, great blue turaco, black bee-eater, grey cheeked hornbill, broadbill, Ross’s turaco, double toothed barbet, African pygmy kingfisher, African wood owl, brown capped weaver, helmeted guinea fowl, white eyed slaty flycatcher among others.
- Nature walk in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Nature walk is an interesting activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park where you will get an opportunity to explore Bwindi forest on foot with the company of an armed park ranger and park guide who is well conversant with trails in the forest. Bwindi impenetrable national park has different nature walk trails to follow during the guided nature walk trail such as the Ivy river trail, Kashasha trail, Munyanga waterfall trail, Mubwindi swamp trail, Muzabajiro loop trail, Bamboo trail, Rushura hill trail, Habinyanja trail, Ruzizi river trail among others.
During the guided nature walk you will get up close and personal with different wildlife species including mammals like forest buffaloes, bush pigs, elephants, duikers, primates like chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, take beautiful photos, enjoy the cool breeze among others.
- Batwa cultural experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park
This is an exciting activity where you will be able to interact with the Batwa/ pygmies who used to live in the forest before it was gazetted into a national park. Batwa cultural experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park begins with a nature walk in the forest where you will be able to learn about how they hunted small animals for food, gathered honey, constructed huts with grass and trees, learn about different plants which were used to cure diseases, try out their hunting techniques with a bow and arrow, visit their traditional homesteads, taste their traditional meals, listen to their ancient stories, traditional songs among others.
Where to stay in Bwindi impenetrable national park
There are a number of accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable national park where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from luxury, midrange and budget including Lake Kitandara Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Engage Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Mahogany Springs Camp, Bwindi Guest House, Gorilla Friends Lodge, Eco Marvels Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas, Gorilla Friends Lodge, Jungle View Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Nshongi Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckooland Tented Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Resort, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp among others.
Best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park can be visited all year round though the best time is in the dry season during the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during the this period there is less rainfall in the park therefore access roads, hiking and gorilla trekking trails will be passable compared to the wet season when the trails are wet, muddy and slippery hence making trekking difficult.
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 you will be able to spot migratory bird species. During the wet season you will be able to explore the park with less crowds and some lodges offers discounts to tourists which favors budget travelers.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara road to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours drive in a 4 WD safari vehicle.
Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book charter or scheduled flights from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters.