Bwindi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the southwestern part of Uganda, in the Kanungu District. It covers a total area of about 321 square kilometers. The park is home to various wildlife species, including over 120 mammals, 221 butterflies, and over 345 bird species. In addition to its rich biodiversity, Bwindi is most renowned for its population of mountain gorillas, making it a prime destination for eco-tourism and gorilla trekking. Visitors to the park can experience guided treks through lush forests, offering the chance to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Bwindi National Park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, of which half of the remaining population of gorillas is found in Uganda.
Therefore, gorilla trekking is the main activity that is done in the park over time. Gorilla trekking in Uganda in Bwindi is done in four sectors, including Buhoma sector in the north, Nkuringo sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the East and Rushaga sector in the southeast.
Activities to do in the park include the following;
Gorilla Trekking
This is a thrilling and adventurous activity in Bwindi, where tourists venture into the tropical rainforests in search of the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park takes place in four sectors: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija. The park has recorded over 21 gorilla families as of the year 2021.
Trekking mountain gorillas takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where they are located and only 8 people are allowed to visit a gorilla family for trekking and an Hour is given a particular group to watch their way of life.
During gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park, you will be able to spot other primates such as monkeys, baboons, plants, a variety of bird species and many more.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Gorilla habituation is the process where wild gorillas are trained to get use to human presence and this takes about 2 to 3 years to be complete.
This is an extraordinary activity where you will get a chance to spend hours with these gentle giants under the habituation process.
Gorilla habituation experience is Bwindi National Park is done only in the Rushaga sector and takes a maximum of 4 people are allowed to visit a family under the habituation process.
Bird watching
Bwindi national park is one of the best birding destinations in Uganda and its is regarded as the birder’s haven that you shouldn’t miss. The park has about 350 bird species among which 23 bird species of them are Albertine endemic.
Birding in Bwindi takes place in 4 major trails including Mubwindi swamp trail, Buhoma waterfall trail, River Ivi trail and Munyaga trail
Some of the bird species to spot in Bwindi National Park include the yellow-whiskered greenbuls, yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, White-tailed fly-catcher, White-tailed Blue Monarch, white-tailed blue flycatcher, White-browed Crombec, White-bellied Robin Chat, white tailed blue monarch, Western Green Tinkerbird, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, strange weaver, Short-tailed Warbler, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Ruwenzori Batis, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Red-throated Alethe, red-tailed bulbul, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Purple-breasted, Mountain masked Apalis, Chestnut –throated Apalises, McKinnon’s grey shrike, Kivu Ground Thrush, honey guide, Handsome Francolin, Gruel’s Rush Warbler, Green Tinkerbird, Grauer’s broadbill, Frazer’s eagle owl, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Elliot’s woodpecker, Dusky crimson honey guide, Dusky crimson wing, Collared Apalis, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Chapin’s Flycatcher, brown necked parrot, blue-headed sunbird, Regal Sunbirds, blue turaco, Black billed Turaco, black bee-eater, Bar-tailed Trogon, the Wing, Bar-tailed Trogon, barred long-tailed cuckoos, bar tailed trogon, Archer’s Robin-Chat, African Wood Owl, African Green Broadbill, Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls.
Nature walks / Hiking
This is a thrilling experience in Bwindi National Park for those who want to explore the beauty of the forest. This activity takes place in Buhoma sector with trails in forest walks, mountain views, waterfall walks, Birdlife and Primate encounters.
Hiking in Bwindi is done in 6 main nature trails including the Habiyanja trail which takes about 4 to 6 hours, Buhoma – Nkuringo trail which takes about 3 to 4 hours, The Ivi River walks which takes about 7 hours, the Muzabajirro loop and the Munyanga waterfall walk
During this guided nature walk, you will get up close with different wildlife species such as primates, mammals, tree species, beautiful scenery, bird species and also you can be able to take nice pictures.
Batwa Cultural Tours
This is one of the interesting activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Batwa Cultural experience gives tourists an opportunity to interact with the Batwa / pygmies.
This activity starts with nature walks in the forests in which you will be able their hunting skills, how they used to live, learn how they prepare their traditional meals, visit their traditional homesteads, listen to their ancient stories as well as enjoying their traditional dances.
Mountain Biking / Cycling
Mountain biking is best done in the Buhoma sector since this sector provides the best biking experiences and it’s offered by the Ride for a woman Organization.
Tourists who want to participate in this experience will rent and bike and also will be accompanied with an experienced guide who is well conversant with the trails in the park. Mountain biking in Bwindi national park takes about 3 to 5 hours.
During cycling, one will have spectacular views of primates, beautiful scenery, views of the trees and many more.
Best Time to visit Bwindi National Park
Bwindi national park can be visited all the year around. But the best time to visit the park is during the dry months if March to May and October to November.
This is because during the dry season, the park receives less rainfall and therefore there is easy access to the roads through the park and the gorilla trekking trails are passable.
For the bird lovers, the park can be visited during the wet season in the months of March to May and November where you will be able to view beautiful and colourful bird species in the park.
Getting to Bwindi National Park
The park can be accessed by both Road and Air transport.
By Road: Drive from Kampala via masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park Headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours.
By Air: Here tourists will book scheduled or charter flights by Aerolink Uganda limited or Bar Aviation form Entebbe International Airport of Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro.
