Bwindi Forest National Park
Bwindi Forest National Park is located in the South Western Part of Uganda close to the border of Uganda and Rwanda. This Park is situated quite a long distance from the capital City of Kampala.
Bwindi National Park is famously known for Mountain Gorilla Trekking Adventures in the thick forest vegetation habitat that is impenetrable. Despite the challenging treks, meeting and watching the Mountain Gorillas is worth the hustle as you get to watch our other half as they do things related to those we do as humans.
Bwindi Forest has four different sectors in which Mountain Gorillas are trekked and these include; the Buhoma Sector, Rushaga Sector, Ruhija Sector and Nkuringo Sector.
All these have Mountain Gorilla Groups that are almost similar although with different characters, rules and ways of living.
The Mountain Gorilla Groups in the thick forest vegetation habitat are trekked in groups of 8 for a period of 3 to 5 hours and an hour in the presence of the Mountain Gorillas.
How to Get to Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park is accessed by use of both Road and Air Transport.
By Road the Park is accessed as you transfer from the Entebbe International Airport towards the Western and South Western Part of Uganda in a 4×4 vehicle with a driver guide. Embark on a journey that takes you about 7 to 8 hours with lunch en-route then later you reach the Park to trek the Mountain Gorillas.
By Air, travelers can board a domestic flight at Entebbe to fly them to the Kihihi Airstrip or Savanna Airstrip close to Bwindi Forest and here, the driver guide picks you up then takes you to the Park.
Best Time to Visit Bwindi National Park
Bwindi Forest National Park is very incredible to visit and can be visited anytime around the year however there is a Best Time to visit the park and this is during the short rain and dry season in the months of June to September.
This period is ideal as photography of the Gorillas is clear and the trails are navigable while trekking the rare species of Mountain Gorillas.
Best Time to Visit Bwindi National Park
Bwindi Forest National Park is very incredible to visit and can be visited anytime around the year however there is a Best Time to visit the park and this is during the short rain and dry season in the months of June to September.
This period is ideal as photography of the Gorillas is clear and the trails are navigable while trekking the rare species of Mountain Gorillas.
Why Visit Bwindi National Park in Uganda
There are various reasons travelers should visit the stunning Bwindi Forest National Park and these include;
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking; Mountain Gorilla Trekking is the most popular safari activity carried out in the park and this includes proceeding with your valid Gorilla Trekking Permit to the park headquarters for short briefing on conduct around the Mountain Gorillas.
You meet the park ranger who welcome you them distribute you into groups of 8 according to your tastes and preferences or capability in regards with the elderly when interested.
After your allocation with a lead guide, you transfer to the starting point where you leave from to enter the forest and trek your preferred Mountain Gorilla Family. Trek the Gorilla Family for a period of 3-5 hours following differing trails through thick impenetrable forest and bushes. After a while, you get to meet the majestic Mountain Gorillas then at a distance of 7 meters with a camera that has no flash, take many photos as well as experience the Gorillas for an hour.
After trekking the Mountain Gorillas, you return back to the 4×4 vehicle which transfers you to the park headquarters where you are welcomed back then provided seats for relaxation. Later while here, you are given your Gorilla Trekking Certificates to take back with you back home.
Which Gorilla family groups are Habituated in Uganda at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
There are 14 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi, Uganda. Twelve (12) out of the 14 gorilla families are prioritized for gorilla trekking activities, and the remaining two groups are reserved for habituation experiences.
- Bird watching; Bwindi Forest National Park is perfect for all birders from all over the world interested in watching the various bird species that inhabit the thick green forests around the Park. Birders from all over the world can visit the park with equipment to enable them watch many different species of birds.
- Biking/ Cycling Bwindi Forest National Park is a perfect destination for all travelers looking to chill, relax as the bike/ cycle from one point to another as they watch the green forest, birds and explore the scenery with a skilled park ranger.
On these rides you explore the close by villages of the indigenous batwa people who have lived in the forest since the ancient times and have benefitted from the park as part of the money received for Gorilla Trekking, goes back to these local communities to positively affect the lives of the Batwa.
Gorilla Habituation Experience (Rushaga)
If you prefer staying in the presence of the Mountain Gorillas, Bwindi Forest National Park offers you the Gorilla Habituation Experience where you get to stay with the Gorillas in smaller groups of 4 with a valid permit at US $1500 for 4 hours in company of the researchers who introduce you to the Gorilla families at the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Forest National Park.
While with the Gorillas, you stay with them and get to learn about their way of life as they patrol, lead, play, communicate, forage, feed, breast feed and nurture.
After this experience, you are provided with Certificates too about your unique exciting adventure.
Hiking and Nature Walks
Hiking and Nature Walks at Bwindi Forest National Park are exceptional and these are done in company of a skilled park ranger guide who informs you about the flora and faunal species in the park. These walks usually happen after trekking Gorillas in the Forest.
Community Visits & Cultural Encounters
While at Bwindi Forest National Park, travelers can embark on community visits and cultural encounters as they visit the local communities of the indigenous Batwa people.
On reaching then meeting the Batwa, you engage in different traditional customs and traditions through varying acts like Music, Dance and Drama. You wrap yourself with local materials then start dancing as they clap for you while singing.
After your Batwa experience, you can pick up some souvenirs to take with you home.