Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Park

Wondering how Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi is? Are you planning to spend your next vacation in Uganda and you do not know where to go gorilla trekking or which park to visit? Well, if you are looking for that one perfect safari destination to get you out of the usual environment then consider Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park a must to include in your travel plan and you won’t regret it in life.

This park is situated in southwestern Uganda, just along the western rift valley and it is mainly surrounded by Kabale, Kisoro, and Rukungiri districts. It covers an area of about 331 square kilometers and it consists of montane and lowland forests hence one of a few dense tropical rainforests that are left in Uganda and Africa at large.

It became a reserve in 1942 and later, it was gazetted as a national park in 1992 mainly to offer refuge to its diverse attractions. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park straddles between altitude 1160 and 2607 meters. Its biodiversity mainly comprises over 400 mountain gorillas which represent nearly half of all those that live on earth today and this also makes it one of the most exceptional tourist destinations that you shouldn’t miss paying a visit while on a gorilla safari in Africa.

Besides, it also boasts of other wildlife species such as the black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, the grey-cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoests, elephants, antelopes, over 220 butterflies, 360 avian species, and 163 species of trees including about 100 ferns. It is also surrounded by the Batwa, Bakiga, and Bafumbira which makes it one of a few UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Uganda.

What to do in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Gorilla Trekking

If there are a few most unique tourist sites that you shouldn’t miss to pay a visit while on a gorilla trekking safari in Africa then Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of a kind! It is one of the 4 national parks in Africa and the world at large where visitors can catch a glimpse at the magnificent wild creatures.

It inhabits over 400 individuals making it a home to about half of all mountain gorillas that exist in the entire world today and this makes it one of a few most exceptional destinations for you to embark on this most sought-after and lifetime primate adventure.

In Bwindi National Park, this breathtaking adventure is only conducted in any of the 4 main trailheads that include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga and the interesting part of it is that each sector comprises of habituated families, one of which will be assigned to you to track in a group of 8 visitors and only an hour is given to you to strike your imaginations with these beautiful apes in the wild.

In order for you to be part of this lifetime experience, you are required to have a permit and you can obtain one at $600 through a trustworthy tour operator and or directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). And a fact that there is high demand for trekking permits, you are advised to obtain one as early as possible to avoid disappointments.

Besides, this primate adventure also requires you to pack appropriately starting with waterproof hiking boots that are light and comfortable as you hike through Bwindi’s jungle and steep slopes to catch a glimpse at these rare creatures, rain jacket/poncho, energy-giving snacks, a bottle of water, camera, long-sleeved shirts/T-shirts, first aid kit, gardening gloves, insect repellents, a pair of binoculars, walking stick that you will find at the park headquarters and others.

Birding (Bird Watching)

With over 360 distinct avian species, Bwindi National Park is one of a few birders’ paradises that you should consider a must to visit while on Uganda safari. Interestingly, if you are planning for your next vacation in Uganda, you can combine bird watching with primate adventures or wildlife tours and you will have the most exceptional experience.

While on birding tour at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, expect to encounter bird species like a white-tailed blue flycatcher, short-tailed warbler, black-billed Turaco, Blue-headed Sunbird, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, black bee-eater, Kivu ground Thrush, Garners warblers, Bar-tailed blue trogon, red-headed bluebill, Dusky crimson, rusty faced woodland gruel’s rush warbler, African emerald cuckoo, dark caped bulbul, African green broadbill and many others.

Birding safaris at this park are conducted along Kashasha River Valley, Ivy river trail, Buhoma waterfall trail, the Bamboo zone as well as Bwindi swamp trail in the Ruhija sector.

Nature Walks

Nature walks are perfect for those of you who are interested in exploring Bwindi National Park in depth. This park features several trails that reward visitors with amazing hiking experiences. Each trail rewards you with a variety of attractions and the most notable ones include Munyaga River-this offers you the opportunity to catch a glimpse at several bird species and primates.

It is also a popular waterfall walk which offers you a chance to view most of the park’s natural wonders ranging from butterflies, trees, orchids, and others. It further takes you to the renowned three crystal clear waterfalls. Other trails include Rushura trail, Ivy river walk and which is perfect for birding tours, Buhoma village walk which rewards you with amazing cultural experiences, Bamboo trail walk which is exceptional with its 14 distinct vegetation zones, Muzabajiro loop, and many more.

Other exciting tourist activities for you to engage in and around Bwindi National Park include cultural encounters especially in the Batwa and Bakiga communities, visiting Lake Bunyonyi, and mountain biking.

Location of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi National Park is approximately 8 to 10 hours’ drive if you are setting off from Kampala or Entebbe and it is accessible both by road and by air. By road, there are many routes that you can take to reach this park and a 4 wheel drive safari vehicle is the best for you to navigate through Uganda’s remotest routes.

If you are in Queen Elizabeth National Park for your wildlife safari, you can easily connect up to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park from Mweya to Kihihi, and then finally you get to the Buhoma area. In most cases, this is the most convenient route if you are to track gorilla families in the Buhoma sector.

You will drive for approximately 160 kilometers from Mweya and 64 kilometers if you are setting off from Ishasha sector-Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along your way, you will catch a glimpse at several playful monkeys, and interestingly, never miss to strike your imaginations with the unique tree-climbing lions at the Ishasha area.

You can also kick start your journey from Kampala to Kabale and then to Kanungu to the Buhoma sector. From Kampala to the Buhoma area, this is one of the perfect routes which takes you up to Kabale and then to Ntungamo. From Ntungamo you will turn on your right and drive for 45 kilometers to Rukungiri, then via Kambuga to Kanungu where you will drive to Butogota about 17 kilometers to Buhoma area.

You may also drive from Kampala to Kabale and then you connect to Nkuringo. Alternatively, you can board a bus from Kampala to Butogota, and from here; you will hire a taxi to take you up to Buhoma. However, this is challenging a fact that there are no public means of transport that can easily take you up to Nkuringo which means that you will hire a car from Kisoro town.

To be on the safer side, better you arrange your safari with a tour operator to avoid any kind of inconveniences, and Maranatha Tours and Travel is one of the leading, recognized, and authorized tour companies in Uganda that you should book your safaris and you won’t regret in life.

If you are interested in spending long hours on road, then you can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and then land in Kisoro, and for those of you who are planning to track mountain gorillas in the Buhoma sector; you can land in Kayonza airstrip.

Where to stay in Bwindi National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park offers a wide range of lodging options for visitors on Uganda gorilla trekking safari to make the best choice. They range from basic to luxury. For budget travelers, the notable accommodation options for you to spend your night include Broadbill Forest Camp and which is strategically located within the Ruhija area, Buhoma Community Rest Camp in the Buhoma sector, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, and others.

If you are looking for standard safari lodges, then the following are the best choices for you; Gorilla Valley Lodge at Rushaga, Gorilla Mist Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Silverback lodge, Eco Marvels Gorilla Resort, Engagi Lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, and many more.

However, if you are looking for something classic, then you can choose one of the following accommodations Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Gorilla safari lodge, Mahogany springs camp, and others.

Best Time to visit Bwindi National Park

Regardless of the fact that Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is an all-around safari destination, some conditions may not favor all travelers as each visitor has his or her own travel interests. Depending on what your interests are, the dry season is regarded as the perfect time for visitors on gorilla trekking in Bwindi to have enjoyable experiences at Bwindi National Park.

During this season, the habitat remains dry and not all that slippery which makes it easier for trekkers to hike through the jungle. The dry season at this park comes in two phases, the first one is experienced from June to August and this is usually the longest dry spell.

The second phase of it is experienced from December and February. It is also a peak season and December is the busiest month of the year not only for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park all Uganda’s national parks. The wet season which is usually a low season in Bwindi National Park starts from March to April this is the longest wet season and the shortest one is experienced from October to November.

This season is perfect for visitors who are interested in birding tours at Bwindi National Park. However, you can also track mountain gorillas but the challenge with it is that the habitat is usually wet and this makes it slippery for one to hike.

But the most significant part of it is that there is plenty of food for these apes to feed and they don’t over move compared to the dry season where there is a scarcity of food supply and they are forced to move in longer distances thus requiring longer hours for trekkers to find their respective habituated groups. It receives rainfall amounts of about 1130 and 2390 mm.

In conclusion, if you are looking for unique tourist destinations to pay a visit to while on safari in Uganda then Bwindi National Park should be a must to include in your bucket list. If you are interested in lifetime experiences, then this is one of a few national parks that you should consider a must to visit and you will be rewarded with a variety of tourist attractions and activities that range from gorilla trekking safaris, birding, nature walks, community walks, mountain biking, cultural encounters, and many others.