Bwindi Forest National park; Activities & Attractions

Bwindi Forest National Park is one of the popular travel destinations in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Over the years, Bwindi Forest has become a first stop Centre for most Uganda safaris receiving the highest number of travelers from all over the world. This natural impenetrable Forest is located in Kanungu district south western Uganda. Bakiga are the most people surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park plus a few batwa pygmies who initially lived with endangered gorillas in the Forest. The Park spreads over 331 square kilometers of Land shared by Kunungu, Rubanda and Kabale districts. Gorilla trekking is the key travel activity in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park. Bwindi Forest was established in 1991 and opened for tourism in 1993. Vegetation in Bwindi Forest National Park comprise of swamps, lowland and montane forests. The park is home to over 500 mountain gorillas, 120 mammal species, 220 species of butterfly, over 1000 flowering plants and over 220 bird species. African Apes Tours is your best guide to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Top activities in Bwindi Forest National Park

Travelers to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are assured of a memorable experience. The impenetrable Forest offers a variety of interesting and adventure activities for travelers. Among the top things to do and see in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include:
1.

Mountain gorilla trekking:

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to half of the world’s total gorilla population. The high numbers of these endangered apes in Bwindi Forest make gorilla tours the top travel activity in this jungle forest. Over 500 mountain gorillas are believed to inhabit in Bwindi Forest. Gorillas have been habituated into 17 gorilla families for easy trekking. Gorilla groups in Bwindi are split into four sectors ie Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. These fur regions make up Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Gorilla families in Bwindi Forest include Mubare, Habinyanja, Nkuringo, Katwe, Christmas, Kyaguliro, Rushegura, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mishaya, Bweza, Nshongi, Busingye, Muyambe, Mukiza, Kutu, Mucunguzi, and Rwigi gorilla families. Each gorilla family is visited b y 8 people per day, which guarantee over 136-gorilla permits available everyday. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority. The cost of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is $700 for Foreign non residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African residents.. Gorilla permit booking is recommended at least 6 months in advance due to high demand for the permits. African Apes Tours helps you book gorilla permits and tailor make your favorite gorilla tour to Bwindi Forest.

Gorilla Habituation Experience:

Spend four years (half d ay) withy the endangered gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park on your on your gorilla habituation experience. The experience is the first step that mountain gorillas go through to get familiar with human presence. Travelers join a team of doctors and researchers to do this experience. Gorilla habituation experience is only done in Rushaga sector south of Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park. Apparently, Bushaho and Bikyigi gorilla families are undergoing habituation. A single gorilla habituation permits costs $1500 but it’s worth it.

Batwa community visit:

Do not miss visiting the local communities of batwa pygmies to learn and experience their traditional forest life. The Batwa elders will tell you stories of how they lived harmoniously with endangered gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park before gorilla trekking was introduced. Also, traditional dances and songs will be performed to entertain you.

Nature/forest Walks:

Enjoy guided forest walks to explore this impenetrable jungle on foot. A nature walk is the best way to explore the entire hidden gem in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park. You will hike to visit different destinations majorly waterfalls, rivers and caves in Bwindi Forest.

Bird watching:

With over 200 bird species inhabited in Bwindi Forest National Park, the forest is a best spot for bird watching. Among the birds to see in Bwindi Forest include African green pigeon, Cinnamon chested bee eater, African Harrier Walk, Crowned Hornbill, Giant Kingfisher, Black billed turaco, Yellow Streaked greenbul, Olive breasted greenbul and Many coloured bush shrike among others. March and September is the best time for bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, May and June is the nesting season while April and November is the best time to see migratory birds.

Accommodation in Bwindi Forest National park

Are you wondering where to stay in Bwindi Forest National Park? No worries, the jungle forest has a variety of budget, mid range and luxury accommodation facilities to offer you excellent food, bed, drinks, comfort and safety stay. The choice of the lodge to stay in Bwindi Forest depends on which gorilla region you are visiting and your budget. The best places to stay in Bwindi Forest include Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp and Buhoma Community Camp. These lodges have professional staff (waiters, chefs, waitresses, managers and house keepers) that work together to ensure a smooth service delivery system.

What to pack for your gorilla Safari to Bwindi Forest

Endeavor to carry the right attires on your gorilla tour to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. Dressing right for the jungle guarantees you a stress free and enjoyable gorilla trekking experience. Your gorilla tracking packing list to Bwindi Forest should include:
• Hiking boots/shoes, which are dark, colored. These ease your trekking up and down hill in search for the endangered gorillas. Open shoes and sandals are discouraged in gorilla trekking.
• Rain jacket/gears to deal with unpredictable forest weather
• Hand gloves to protect your hands from dirty grounds and thorny bushes
• Long sleeved shirts
• Long pants
• Hat and sun glasses to protect you from direct sun
• First aid kit for any emergencies
• Bottled drinking water
• Toiletries (knickers, tissue, and sanitary wear)
• Pair of shorts
• Insect repellants to protect you from poisonous insect bites
• Extra batteries
• Neck trap
• Lightweight wool socks
• Small notebook

Best time to visit Bwindi Forest

Dry season in June, July, August, September, December, January and February is the best time to visit gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. During this time, forest grounds are a bit dry which make it easy to walk through unlike in the rainy season. Dry season normally entail high visits which call for advance gorilla permit bookings. On the other hand, visiting in a wet season between March, April May, October and November saves you a lot of expenses. Most service providers especially the airlines, hotels and lodges normally give discounted offers in the wet season.

Getting to and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

You can reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest by air or road. Driving from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi takes between 7-9 hours while a chattered flight from Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi airstrip is the quickest way. Alternatively, you can fly to Kigali Rwanda and cross to Bwindi Forest via Cyanika or Katuna border in Kisoro and Kabale districts respectively. Kigali to Bwindi gorilla tours have presently become common.
Conclusively therefore, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is your ultimate gorilla safari destination in Africa. Contact African Apes Tours is your trusted travel agency for your gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest.