Because it is home to around half of all mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most well known gorilla trekking locations in the world. Bwindi, which in the local language means "impenetrable," is a fitting name for this park given its dual meaning.
Mountain gorillas can survive in Bwindi Forest thanks to its size, which is roughly 327 square kilometers. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park served as a haven for large species like dinosaurs that were exterminated during the Ice Age.
In addition to being a gorilla trekking destination, Bwindi Forest is also home to a variety of other animals, such as forest elephants, duikers, giant forest hogs, and numerous primates, such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and blue monkeys, to name a few.
Africa's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a sanctuary for birders because of its abundant birdlife. Approximately 7 of the more than 350 bird species that spend the most of the day in this dense forest are endemics, according to the IUCN. Tinkerbird, African Green Broadbill, Rwenzori Batis, Red-faced Woodland, Collared Apalis, and Western Green Shelley's Crimsonwing are only a few examples of the birds in the sample.
Mountain Gorilla Population Is Huge In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
With more than 400 mountain gorillas living there, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the world's largest gorilla habitat. Without including the wild groups, the park includes roughly 17 habituated gorilla trekking families.
For a guaranteed chance to observe the gentle giants in the wild, reserve a Bwindi gorilla trekking permit. The gorilla permits are divided into zones despite the forest's size. The gorilla hiking community in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into four sectors. Nkuringo Sector, Buhoma Sector, Ruhija Sector, and Rushaga Sector. The sector determines how each gorilla trekking permit is reserved for this park.
This was done to give visitors the chance to interact with habituated mountain gorillas from various groups and families. It may take some time to re-habituate a gorilla family after they have been absent from human contact for long time. The mountain gorillas' double habituation process is expensive. In Bwindi Forest National Park, there is a 99% chance of spotting a mountain gorilla.
Possibility of Birdwatching While on a Gorilla Trek
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, avid birders can do gorilla trekking and birding at the same time. In the Ruhija region, where gorilla trekking is an option, you may spot over 100 bird species, including endemics to Albertine.
The Ruhijah region offers excellent possibilities to spot forest and grassland birds, particularly if you travel via the Mubwindi swamp. To get to the Afromontane, you pass through the bamboo zone. Vegetation. You might observe birds like the Handsome Francolin, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Western Green Tinkerbird, Rwenzori Batis, African Hill Babbler, collared Apalis, and Enigmatic Grauer's Wabler, to name a few, before or after going gorilla trekking. Bwindi National Park is unquestionably the top choice when organizing a gorilla hike along with an African birding safari.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park is strategically situated near Other National Parks
After doing gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it is simpler to access additional wildlife safari activities in Uganda. The Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is around 4 to 5 hours away from Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is well-known for its birdlife, tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, Kazinga Channel's rich birdlife, and many other things.
National Park of Kibale from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is around 6 hours away from the renowned center for chimpanzee trekking . Customers find it simple to choose Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking and other activities due to its advantageous location and proximity to other safari activities. To fully experience the wonders in Uganda's western wildlife areas, you'll need extra vacation time and a well-planned schedule.
Outstanding Scenery for Nature Photography in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
There are excellent places to take pictures of nature at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The valley's extraordinary deep, layered canopy descends from the mountain. You can more clearly see the trees shady the slopes on the opposite side of the hill while you are standing on one side of it.
This beautiful scene, which is uncommon elsewhere, would pique the interest of any nature photographer. Nearly the entire day, the climate in this region is hospitable, which makes for excellent natural photo effects.
After a gorilla trek, visitors can visit local communities
If you want to perform any charitable work after doing gorilla trekking, you can simply engage with the nearby community without worrying about wild animal attacks. Supporting the neighborhood around the park enables people to understand the importance of protecting mountain gorillas. They are able to summon the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers to take control instead of murdering the gorillas when they stray into the neighborhood.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, you can go to community projects like the Buhoma community walk and Cultural Performers , where you can learn about local customs like banana brewing, see a traditional healer, and see a staged performance of a traditional dance.
You may engage in many of the same activities, including visiting a rural homestead, a traditional healer, banana brewing, blacksmithing, and much more, on the Nkuringo community walk in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
By making a point to interact with the locals, you help to maintain their quality of life and lessen the likelihood that they will turn to the Bwindi forest for food. They are able to utilize the money raised to pay for children's school expenses rather than selling timber from the forest to cover those expenses. They may also use the money to buy things like medicine rather than foraging for native plants.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Gorilla Trekking Permits Are More Affordable
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla permit costs $700 per person each trek, which is less than its counterpart in Rwanda. The cost of the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 per trekker, which is twice the price of the Bwindi permit. The fact that 134 gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are given each day increases the likelihood of spotting one, making Bwindi forest a well-known location for gorilla trekking
The ranger guides in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are well trained
Rangers can explain a lot about this 25000-year-old forest using the research that has been done on this park, which is still being done. About 10 primates species, including mountain gorillas, 310 butterfly species, 51 reptiles, 200 tree species, 88 months species, and many others may be found in this biosphere reserve. Many groups conduct their primate research projects in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, revealing new details to the public. Among the Bwindi groups are Gorilla Fund and Gorilla Doctors.
What is the best way to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks?
By Vehicle
The best path to take to go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park depends on the current state of the road. There are several ways to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from the road. You must leave Entebbe or Kampala early to avoid city traffic jams and to enjoy a nice journey on the country's winding roads without becoming alarmed.
Kampala - Ntungamo - Rukungiri - Kihihi - Buhoma
Without pauses, it takes roughly 8 hours to travel the nearly 390 kilometres to Rukungiri from Kampala. Driving to Buhoma from Rukungiri requires another nearly 82 km on a murram road.
Kampala - Kabale - Kanungu - Buhoma
Take a 414 kilometre drive from Kampala city or Entebbe. About 120 km of the road's remaining length is a twisting marram road that passes between Kanungu and Kanyantorogo.
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kihihi - Buhoma
After a wildlife safari, exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park is incredible, especially in the southern Ishasha region, which is the habitat of the tree-climbing lion. Between Mweya and the Buhoma region of Bwindi Park, there are around 160 km and 64 km, respectively.
By Chartered Flights
Every day, scheduled domestic flights travel from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip. A transfer vehicle can be rented to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. If a client requests it, Encounter Africa Safaris will make the necessary arrangements on their behalf. From Kajjansi or Entebbe Airport, you can rent a plane for more private charter flight gorilla trekking safari arrangements.
Booking access to a range of lodging options while doing gorilla trekking
The place you stay while on vacation really affects your overall experience, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a number of lodging options. The spectrum of lodging options includes high-end, mid-range, and low-cost lodging. To arrange lodging, you must be aware of the location where your Bwindi gorilla permit is reserved. The travel to attend a briefing at another location is quite far, and occasionally the roads have problems. You might not be able to take part in this eagerly anticipated gorilla trekking trip if you skip the briefing.
Gorilla Forest Camp, Engage Lodge, Clouds Lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, Gorilla lodge, Gorilla safari Lodge, lake Kitandara Tented Camp, and Silver Back Lodge are just a few of the lodging options in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has an advantage when deciding where to go for this African primate safari because there are many different lodging options to choose from.