Uganda Tour adventures to Bwindi impenetrable national park are for gorilla trekking experiences. The park is located in southwestern Uganda and is home to the rare mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable forest is not just home to mountain gorillas but also other primates and large mammals.
The forested park covers a land area of 321 kilometers squares of Afro Montane Forests that are among the best preserved in Uganda. There are over 27 reptile species, 200 tree species, and over 1000 flowering plant species. It is because of this diversity and the park being home to the mountain gorillas that Bwindi was designated a World Heritage site.
The major Uganda Tour adventures feature this Uganda safari destination as many like to hike and meet the mountain gorillas. Beyond the normal gorilla trekking adventure, you can engage in several other activities there. Below is a list of these tour adventures.
Gorilla Trekking Tour adventures
Mountain gorilla trekking is the major primate trekking activity you can engage in Bwindi. The park is divided into four sectors where you can trek to the gorillas. Buhoma sector in the north is the oldest and busiest sector of Bwindi. The first mountain gorilla family to be habituated and opened for tourism is in this sector.
Buhoma currently five habituated gorilla families here. They include Mubare, which is the oldest family having been habituated in 1992 and open for tourism in 1993. Rushegura, Habinyanja, Muyambi, and Katwe are the other gorilla families.
The Buhoma sector has several accommodation options ranging from Budget to high-end safari lodges and camps. They include Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, and Ride4AWoman among others.
Other Sectors of Bwindi
Other sectors of Bwindi are Ruhija in the eastern part of the park and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the southern part. When going for a gorilla trek in any of these sectors you are expected at the park headquarters at 7:00 am. Here you are briefed about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations before embarking on your ultimate primate adventure. The trek takes 1 to 4 hours or more depending on the movement of the gorillas. On this trek, you are permitted only an hour in the presence of the gorillas.
Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Experience
The mountain gorilla habituation experience is more extensive and gives you more time with the gorillas. This experience takes you behind the scenes following the actual gorilla habituation process.
Bwindi Impenetrable forests still have gorillas that are not habituated and this process is aimed at making them accustomed to human beings presence. It also starts early morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. After this, you directly head to the forested mountains with your packed lunch.
The trek to the gorillas also takes 1 to 4 hours or more. Once you get to them you stay up to 4 hours observing and learning more about them as the rangers do the habituation process. You are supposed to keep a 7-meter distance away from the gorillas for your safety and that of the gorillas.
There are only four slots available for the gorilla habituation experience a day. It is also only done in the southern sector of Bwindi (Rushaga). It is therefore advised to book your adventure early enough and the most convenient accommodation option in the Rushaga sector.
Birding Tours
Birding is a great part of Uganda Tour adventures. There are several Uganda birding safari destinations Bwindi Impenetrable Forest included. Bwindi lies in the Albertine Rift Valley and you find Albertine endemic bird species there. There are 23 of these Albertine endemics the highest of any other destination in the rift.
Bwindi offers Africa’s finest montane forest birding experiences. It is also a center for migratory birds that are usually present from November to April.
The Mubwindi swamp is a major wetland in the park that offers a different birding experience. Just the forest, the swamp can be accessed on foot. It is the only place where you can find the African green broadbill. This birding adventure is even more remarkable as you stand a chance to see other animal species present in the park including forest elephants.
Nature walks
There are several trails in Bwindi where guided nature walks are done. Nature walks are some of the most recommended Uganda Tour adventures as they bring you close to nature.
Doing a nature walk in a destination like Bwindi enables you to see some of the small animal species. The major reptile species are best seen on these walks. Some of the notable ones you can see include the three-horned chameleon. You also stand a chance to see birds even if you are not on a specific birding walk.
Some of the most recommended walks in Bwindi include the Buhoma-Nkuringo Walk. These take 3 to 4 hours or more depending on the speed of the hikers. The walk connects the northern to the southern sector and on it, you see several birds and primates in the park. If lucky you can even see mountain gorillas. As you get to Nkuringo you get an incredible view of the Virunga Mountains in DRC.
Community Visits
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is surrounded by the Batwa and Bakiga communities. The Batwa are initial forest dwellers who entirely depended on the forest for survival. They are hunter-gatherers who would gather all their food, water, and medicine from the forest.
All of them were unfortunately evicted to pay way for wildlife conservation amidst poaching claims. The Batwa now live on the outskirts of the forest and have been forced to adapt to a new way of life. On a community visit to the Batwa, you will get to learn more about their culture and heritage.
For a better batwa community experience it is better to visit Mgahinga Gorilla Park. This is also located in southwestern Uganda and is part of the Virunga conservation area. The Batwa in Mgahinga were evicted from the park as well but still have an opportunity to go back into the forest. In the Batwa trail experiences, they lead you to the forest demonstrating their initial ways of life. The trail goes up to the Garama cave which is sacred to them.
Be part of all these Uganda Tour adventures in Bwindi and more. For proper exploration of the park, you can stay up to 4 nights engaging in the different safari activities. Since this is coming to an end, this is the best time to book your Uganda tour adventures to Bwindi. You can also visit other Uganda safari destinations or the Kenya Rift Valley for birding and Tanzania for journeys with the wildebeests.
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