Bwindi impenetrable national park lies in south western part of Uganda covering an area of 331sqkm above the sea level. The park is a best destination of gorilla tracking which are spotted in four sectors of the park and these are Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector and Rushaga sector adding up 20 gorilla families. The park inhabits half of mountain gorillas unlike those in volcano national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo. Bwindi is a home of Gorilla habituation which is the process of training mountain gorillas to be used with humans since they are close relative of humans at 98% DNA.
Bwindi Park neighbors mgahinga national in southwestern part of Uganda and known to be a home of Nyakagezi gorilla family thus making Uganda special country for owning gorillas in two national parks unlike Rwanda and Congo. Uganda Wildlife Authority is in charge of giving out gorilla trekking permits costs $700 per person and 8 visitors are allowed to trek per person. The park is a world heritage site that is protected and managed by UWA which takes about 9-10 hours using Masaka-Mbarara route.
What to pack?
- Cameras
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Long trousers, long t-shirts and long stockings
- Hiking sticks
- Rain coat
What are rules and regulations of gorilla trekking?
- Children above 15 years are allowed to trek gorillas since the children are old enough to follow the procedures unlike children below 15 years.
- Visitors who are illed of cough, flue, virus, Ebola and many more aren’t allowed to trek since gorillas are known to close relative of humans at 98% DNA which causes easy transmission of diseases.
- Visitors are briefed to lower their voices while with gorillas in order not to chase them away
- Cameras are accepted during the gorilla trekking but without flash lights.
- Before the gorilla trekking, it is a must be to be briefed by the guides on how you should handle yourselves while you’re with gorillas in the jungle.
- Visitors are briefed to keep 7meter distance from gorillas in the jungle.
How to access the park?
Despite the fact the park is located in south western part of Uganda; the park can be accessed by either road or by air from kajjasi or Entebbe international airport. By road, a visitor may use private cars, pick up company car or a bus from kampala to kabale where they can link up with a private car from there. From kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable national park takes about 9-10 hours which look to be a long distance but worthy it due to beautiful scenery to spot along the way like Lake Mburo national park where zebras , giraffes, horses and many more, lake Bunyonyi in kabale, farming of the local people and many more.
While as by air, visitors will use chartered flights from Entebbe International airport which takes 2 hours to reach the park. They will get off from kihihi or kisoro airstrip to their hotel where they will rest for a night as they prepare for gorilla trekking.
What is the best time to trek gorillas in Bwindi?
Despite the fact that tourism industry in Uganda is done annually, there are always best time to visit the touristic attractions and these are dry season which is known as peak season. In the peak season, car hires, gorilla permits, chimp permits, accommodations, and many more are always on high demand where trip advises the visitors to book 6 months before the travel. The best time months to visit Uganda include June to September and December to February. During dry or peak season, the roads aren’t slippery and the trekking trails in the forest are not muddy.
In wet season, there are less visitor due to rain which makes transportation difficult and spotting of primates difficult in their habitats however cheaper in permits , accommodations , car hires and many more,
Besides gorilla trekking, what are other activities in Bwindi Park?
Although Bwindi impenetrable national park is a best destination for mountain gorillas, it is also known for other activities like birding for bird lovers, nature walks and culture tours.
Birding in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable national park is a tropical think forest which is a home of over 350 bird species for bird lovers thus making the park a birding paradise. Visitors will enjoy some of the birds during the gorilla trekking and these bird species include Grey blue turaco shelleys, handsome francolin, fine banded woodpeckers, red throated alethe, Africa wood owl, Africa green broadbill, short tailed warbler, bar-tailed trogon, black breasted barbet, grey crowned crane and many more.
The birding activity is best done the morning and evening hours where visitors are allowed to pack their binoculars, cameras, rain coats, comfortable hiking boots, water & snacks since birding takes half day or full day.
Nature walks.
Besides gorilla trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable national park has a lot to offer like nature walk. Nature walk around the park with the help of a guide is an amazing experience in the park where birds are spotted, forest elephants, flora and fauna and local communities where visitors involve in traditional dances, visiting traditional doctors and iron smith. Nature walk is done mostly after gorilla trekking as a moment of relaxation as well as birding as a spiced activity in Bwindi park. Some of the interesting trails to use while in the park are the Kashasha Trail which leads you to the local communities.
Culture encounters.
Visitors will trek into the forest with the help of guides to a Batwa village and meet the community where you will learn about their life style, past and present of different generations. Visitors will always be invited into their homes and show you their traditional hunting techniques and craft making skills. By the displaced Batwa pygmies created the Batwa cultural experience around Bwindi park share their amazing heritage and traditions with the world. Visitors enjoy hiking with Batwa in the forest who are guides and rangers that will lead them to see the primates in the forest like gorillas, monkeys and baboons, mammals like forest elephants, bush pigs and many more
Batwa teaching visitors on how to hunt in their traditional manner on how they shot with an arrow, visitors will visit the batwa home stay where local woman teaches them how to cook local foods which will give them an opportunity to taste different dishes.
