Visiting Bwindi National Park: Things To Know Before Travelling

Uganda is a fast growing tourist destination due to its natural endowment in terms of beauty and diversity. The impenetrable jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in South Western Uganda attract a considerable number of visitors who are interested in gorilla trekking, a rare wildlife experience which involves tourists walking through the forest to see the endangered gorillas in their natural habitat. This fascinating adventure not only brings millions into the coffers of the government but also create a high multiplier through the different sectors of the economy.

About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Forest was gazetted as a national park in 1991 and was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994. This dense ancient rain forest is home to almost half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas. This verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley is one of the few to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age.

The park lies at an altitude that span from 1160m to 2607m. The area is blessed with amazing attractions that include 90 mammal species including 11 primates as well as an impressive 350+ species of birds of which 23 are highly localized Albertine Rift endemics.

Getting in and Around the Park

Tourists can easily get to Bwindi National Park by road or by air. By road, their journey starts from Entebbe or Kampala along Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route and depending on the road you take, to reach to this park, you need 8-10 hours.

The Bwindi trailheads are eight to 10 hours’ drive from Kampala. The tarmac extends to the towns of Kabale, Kisoro and Rukungiri beyond which dirt roads wind into the hills. The journey is best covered.

Alternatively, visitors can choose to fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip.

There are daily flights from Kampala to Kihihi (40 km from Buhoma) takes just 90 minutes.

Traveling from Rwanda? It is easy to access Bwindi Forest. Tourists can can travel by Road from Kigali through the Katuna or Cyanika border. This journey takes about 4 to 5 hours.

Must Do Things in Bwindi Forest

There are many things to do while in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Gorilla Trekking

The highlight of a visit to Bwindi and the climax of the journey is a magical hour in the company of the mountain gorillas. Looking deep into the pensive eyes of the mountain gorillas is a highlight of almost all visits to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer! There are 18 habituated gorilla groups that can be visited by tourists. Eight permits are available to track each of the 18 groups. Gorilla permits must be booked in advance through the UWA Booking Office in Kampala or through a local tour operator.

Gorilla Habituation

Unlike other gorilla destinations, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only place on earth where mountain gorilla habituation experience is done.  This is a unique primate adventure and unlike the usual gorilla treks, habituation experience involves following semi habituated gorillas in order to make them get used to human presence before they are opened for gorilla trekking. Gorilla habitation permits cost US$1500 and can still be booked either at UWA offices or through a local tour operator.

Bird Watching

Bwindi’s four trailheads all offer excellent bird watxhing opportunities to travelers interested in birding adventures. The River Ivi Trail between Buhoma and Nkuringo is recommended. You can also bird through the Munyaga River Trail, Ruhija Bamboo Trail, the Mubwindi Swamp, great areas that host Albertine Rift Endemics.

Batwa Encounters

The Batwa have at times been regarded as the “forgotten people of the forest”. This pygmy tribe used to live in the forest till they were evacuated to focus on the conservation of the mountain gorillas.

Community walks through the forest edge villages at Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo provide insights into the life of the Batwa People. There is also a Batwa Forest Experience that Rushaga that leads you into the forest, the past home of the Batwa. Another interesting adventure is the Buniga Forest Walk at Nkuringo that is conducted by Batwa guides.

Nature Walks

Though gorilla tracking is the main attraction, other walks provide opportunities to explore the features of the forest. Nature walks can be arranged from different trail heads and can be taken either at morning and in the afternoon.

One of the most interesting walk is the waterfall trail that takes you through pristine tracts of the rainforest. The visit to the Sparkling Crystal clear waterfalls.

Where to Go

Tourists start gorilla treks from a variety of points including Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma.

The most frequently visited part of the foest is Buhoma. This is the pioneer sector where gorilla trekking is done.

When is the Best time to visit Bwindi Forest?

Gorilla Trekking is available all year round. Visitors on Uganda gorilla safari can visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during the dry months of the year, June, July, August, September and December, January, February. These months are the best for gorilla trekking, nature walks/hiking while birders can pay a visit to this park during the wet months of the year; March, April, May and October, November.

How to Book Your Experience

Before booking your accommodation, it is important to ensure you have contacted a Destination Management Company that can confirm availability of gorilla permits for specific dates.

Also note that treks vary in length and physical demand! Local destination management companies have knowledge of which best sector to book for you depending on your age and capabilities.

What is the Recommended Length of Safari?

The recommended length of stay on a gorilla safari in Bwindi is a 3-5 Days. This duration gives you more time to see the features of the forest.

 

Where to Stay

The 26 years of gorilla tourism comes with several gorilla lodges for trekkers to trek. They are distributed in Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija and Buhoma. You can choose from budget to luxury accommodation options to make your gorilla safari experience complete in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They include Buhoma Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge/Mahogany Spring Lodge (Luxury), Engagi Lodge Bwindi/Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget).

Conclusively, Bwindi National Park is a must visit destination in Uganda. Uganda’s tourism has significantly improved in the past 26 years and this can be attributed to gorilla tourism in Bwindi, the largest attraction that Uganda offers to the world.