Bwindi impenetrable national park lies in south western part of Uganda bordering Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo. The park became popular in the world for inhabiting mountain gorillas in four sectors that in Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma sectors however in Uganda, gorillas are spotted in Mgahinga national park. According to population census of gorillas in Uganda, it is recorded that Uganda inhabits half of the Gorillas for about 450 individuals in 20 gorillas families.
Besides Uganda, Gorillas in the whole world can also be spotted in Virunga conservation area comprising of Virunga national park in Congo, Volcano national park in Rwanda and mgahinga national park in Uganda making the total population census of 1063 in the whole world including those in Bwindi park.
About Gorillas.
Gorillas are known to be close relative of humans due to 98% DNA. The gorillas feed on leaves, baboo, and their way for living is like humans having families, silverback which is the head of a family, mother gorilla and infants. Gorilla mothers give birth normally like female humans, protect their infants and provide food to the infants.
What to pack during gorilla trekking?
- Comfortable hiking boots.
- Hiking sticks.
- Rain coat.
- Water & snacks.
- Long trouser, long t-shirts and long stockings.
- Caps and Gloves.
How to access Bwindi Park?
Bwindi impenetrable national park can be accessed using private or public vehicles or buses from Kampala or entering through Rwanda since it lies at the boarder in south western part of Uganda. From Kampala, visitors will use masaka -Mbarara route hen Kisoro Bwindi taking about 9 hours which seem to be a long journey however worth it. Visitors will spot various sceneries like Lake Mburo national park where they will spot giraffes, zebras, Uganda kobs, and many more, spot Equator along the way where they are allowed to take photos for memories, Lake Bunyonyi which the second deepest lake in East Africa. Or visitors may use their vehicles entering from Rwanda kyanika gate to Bwindi park taking about 3 hours.
Although visitors may use air transport where they will fly from Entebbe International airport or kajjasi to Kisoro airstrip where visitors will have few drives to the park. From Entebbe Uganda to Kisoro airstrip takes about one hour which gives the best view of Virunga ranges, Rwenzori ranges and many more.
How costly is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
For every visitor to see gorillas in Virunga conservation area and Bwindi Impenetrable national park, it’s a must for him or her to pay for Gorilla permit which differ in Countries like Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. In Uganda, gorilla permits costs $700 per foreigner and 250000 Uganda shillings per East African, in Congo gorilla permit costs $450 per person and finally in Rwanda, gorilla permit costs $1500 per person. Although gorilla habituation permits in Uganda costs $1500 per foreigner.
What are rules and regulations of gorilla trekking?
Children above 15 years of age are allowed to trek mountain gorillas in their habitats.
Visitors who are ill are not allowed to trek gorillas because cough, flue , virus can easily affect the gorillas since they are 98% humans.
While in the forest, visitors are briefed to keep one hour distance with gorillas unlike habituation gorillas where visitors are given 4 hours.
During the briefing, visitors are limited to 8 individuals unlike visitors for habituation who are limited to 4 individuals.
Visitors are warned to lower their voices while they are with Gorillas in the forest.
Visitors aren’t allowed to dump their wastes and empty bottles anywhere which may affect the gorillas.
Visitor must be physically fit since it involves hiking searching gorillas however those who are elderly will use porters to carry them on stretchers where they are charged for porters.
Besides, gorilla trekking, what are other activities in Bwindi Impenetrable national park?
Birding.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is covered with tropical forest which thick and best for birding. Birding in the park can be done during morning hours which takes about half day or full day however bird lovers are expected to pack binoculars, cameras, comfortable hiking boots, long trousers, long t-shirts, rain coat, water & snacks, and many more. Some of bird species spotted in the forest include grey crowned crane, great blue turacos, kingfishers, black bee eater, handsome francolin, pink backed pelican, black crowned night heron, Rwenzori Batis and many more.
Nature walks.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is the best destination for nature walk where the park is surrounded by local communities which include Batwa communities. During the nature walks, visitors are led by guides to local communities where they will spot Batwa entertainment dances, guide will take them to traditional doctors who use herbs as medicine, spot iron smithing where pangas and knives are created, involve themselves in local cooking. Besides Batwa, there are other local communities of Kisoro people and Bakiga people who are known as the strongest tribe which can be demonstrated in their traditional dances.
Culture encounters.
Culture encounters are mostly done after the hectic gorilla trekking which takes half day in Bwindi park. During culture encounters in the park, visitors are led by guides who know what is best for the visitors by taking them to local markets where they will spot craft shoes, African style clothes, joining the traditional performances, black smith visiting, listening to stories from elderly and many more. Visitors spot various bird species during culture encounters since it involves walking on foot.
