Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is listed among the world’s best safari destinations because of the numerous activities It offers. Out of them, we rank the 8 top most activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park including Gorilla trekking, Gorilla Habituations, bird watching, Batwa cultural experience , forest walks, Buhoma community walks, Lake Mutanda Visit. These activities allow you to explore, discover and become part and partial of the park.
Highlights Of the Top Most Activities (What/Things To Do) In Bwindi
- Gorilla Trekking Experience
- Gorilla Habituation Experience
- Bird Watching
- Batwa cultural experience
- Mountain Biking
- Forest Walks.
- Buhoma Community Walks
- Lake Mutanda Visit
Gorilla Trekking Experience
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the #1 top voted safari experience in Uganda with Gorillas being the most sought after attraction in a Uganda Safari. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is open to be tracked during any day of the year, with a valid Gorilla trekking permit. Each gorilla permit costs $800 per person, to track 1 gorilla family group, of a given sector, whereas those who want to track families, can go for double gorilla trekking in 2 different days.
Only persons 15 years of age and above is allowed to go gorilla trekking, below which are restricted. Besides age limit, those who are free from any sort of illness are not allowed to track these great apes. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Usually start in the morning with briefing, at the park headquarters, followed by searching for them, then at most 1 hour is allowed for the trackers to stay in the presence of the Mountain Gorillas. Then after a certificate will be awarded.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, allows you to take more time with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Except for gorilla trekking’s 1 hour allowed for 8 trackers to interact with gorillas, Gorilla habituation takes only 4 trackers to stay with the gorilla family for at most 4 hours. Gorilla habituation Experience is for those with valid gorilla habituation permit. Each gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person, per day, per trek.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only gorilla destination in Africa offering Gorilla habituation, specially in Rushaga sector, which is located in the Southern region of the Park.
Bird Watching
Bird Watching still maintains its position of being listed among the top 8 activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The best birding spots in Bwindi includeMubwindi swamp, Buhoma water trail, Bamboo zone and along the River Ivi trail. The impenetrable forest of Bwindi shelters about 350 species of birds, where by 23 over 14 species of birds are Albertine Rift Endemic and can be spotted in the park. Expect to sight the: Handsome Francoline, White-tailes Blue Flycather, , Red-headed Bluebill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimson wing, Rwenzori Nightjar, Short tailed Warbler, Blue headed Sunbird, African blue Flycatcher, Common Bulbul among others
Batwa cultural experience
The Batwa cultural experience is one of the remarkable and awe-inspiring activities. This unique experience tour is offered by the Batwa Development Program Craft Banda nearby the park gates. The authentic reenactment of the ancient history by the batwa pygmies showcase how to use medicinal herbs, traditional shelters, natural way of making fire, harvesting honey, burial rituals, several kinds of snares and tribal traditional dances.
The Batwa share their legacy, and interests with tourists as well as their own children so as to preserve their authentic culture out of the rainforest. A complete Batwa cultural experience takes between 3 to 4 hours including a hill climb that is done slowly in stages. Visitors will be given options in which they can part take
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking is the best way to experience Buhoma sector. This experience is offers by Ride 4 A woman community group in the outskirts of Buhoma. Bike riding is a way of supporting the vulnerable women to earn a living, from the money being collected. The women hire out their bicycles along with their expert professional guides to guide the tourists through the trail, while they share their knowledge of the area, community way of life, cultures and numerous birdlife.
Apart from Ride 4 A woman, other sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offer mountain biking, but prior booing are required before the arrival date.
Forest Walks.
Besides Gorilla trekking & habituation, Birding & Mountain Hiking, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also offers exhilarating nature walks along numerous trails like Muyanga waterfall trail, Rushura Hill walk, Muzubijiro Loop Trail, Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail, The Ivi River Walk, and The Habinyanja Trail.
Most nature walks within the park takes between 1 to 8 hours offering numerous chances of exploring the serene Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The walk also exposes you to primate species as well as over 190 bird species recorded in the park, 10 out of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift.
All forest walks through the trails are guided by a tour guide, who will help you understand the nature of the forest while trekking.
Buhoma Community Walks
Buhoma community walks are organized and managed by the Buhoma community to only tourists in the Buhoma sector. Accompanied by a professional local guide, visitors will have the opportunity to visit local schools, hospitals, traditional healers, as well as participating in the traditional winemaking process. Taking part in this walk, helps to give back to the community
Lake Mutanda Visit
Lake Mutanda is a spectacular refreshing lake located in the Southern part of the park. The lake has many islands that can be accessed on a dugout canoe, by the help of a guide. The lake also helps travelers unwind after a gorilla trekking experience.
However, the top 8 activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park guarantees a life time experience while you are in the park.
Gorilla Families in Uganda
Uganda has 19 gorilla family groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and 1 nyakagezi gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi has 4 gorilla trekking sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each gorilla family group comprises of 10 to 40 gorilla individuals, lead by an alpha Male called the Silverback. Only 8 gorilla trekking permits are issued to track each gorilla family, which give a total sum of 152 gorilla trekking permits per day for Bwindi impenetrable National Park and only 8 gorilla trekking permits per day in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Buhoma Gorilla trekking sector/region has Rushegura gorilla family, Habinyanja gorilla family, Mubare Gorilla family and Katwe gorilla family.
- Ruhijah Gorilla trekking sector has Bitukura gorilla family, Kyaguriro gorilla family, Mukizo gorilla family and Oruzogo.
- Nkuringo Gorilla trekking Sector has Bishaho gorilla Family, Nkuringo gorilla family and Christmas gorilla family
- Rushaga gorilla trekking sector has Nsonji gorilla family, Mishaya gorilla family, Bweza gorilla family, Kahunjye Gorilla Family, Rwiji Gorilla Family, Busingye gorilla family, Muchunguzi gorilla Family, Bikyinji gorilla family
Uganda has two gorilla trekking destinations, of Bwindi impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga gorilla National Park is less visited all year round, despite the fact the one and only Nyakagezi gorilla group is the best & closest gorilla family to trek while on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda among all other gorilla groups. This group comprises of 9 members with of 3 silver backs, 2 adults, 2 infants and 2 black backs. Mgahinga is also the perfect place to do Golden Monkey tracking and habituation.
While Bwindi receives the highest number of trekkers throughout the year because: it is near , has 4 sectors, offers both gorilla habituation and gorilla trekking among other advantages. Find an in depth information about Gorilla family groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
