Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris, Uganda Gorilla Tour

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris 2021 (Uganda Gorilla Safari) to Bwindi gorilla trekking safari destination. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural world heritage site in 1994. Its size is approximately 321km2.

The park is found in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley about 530km from Kampala by road. It can be accessed either by air from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip or by road from Kampala.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

There are scheduled flights from Entebbe to Kihihi which is close to the northern sector of Bwindi and also flights to Kisoro which is close to the Southern sector of Bwindi.

You may also charter flights from Kajjansi Airstrip to either Kisoro or Kihihi. The mist-covered hillsides of the park are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests containing about 400 species of plants.

The forest also protects an estimated 400 mountain gorillas almost half of the world’s gorilla population.

The diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are an estimated 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at a glance

Unlike other gorilla national parks, Bwindi comprises 4 sectors in the south, north, and east within which one can trek the mountain gorillas. Each sector is different from the other in terms of location, accessibility, altitude, and trekking experience, and each sector is habituated by different gorilla families.

Despite the different locations of these sectors, connecting from one sector to another is easy. Travelers can, therefore, spend a night in one sector like Buhoma and trek gorillas in the Ruhija the next morning without getting late.

  • Buhoma sector

Located in the northern part of Bwindi it is the most visited sector of the national park compared to other sectors. The ease of access from kabala town and Kihihi airstrip make it the best part of Bwindi to visit.

Buhoma is the first sector where gorilla tourism was first done when the Mubare family (Bwindi’s oldest gorilla family) was habituated in 1992 just a year after the establishment of the Bwindi forest into a national park.

It is also close to Queen Elizabeth national park via the Ishasha sector home to the famous tree-climbing lions hence an added advantage for travelers unlike other sectors in the Far East and south. Besides the Mubare family, Buhoma is a home to Habinyanja habituated in 1997 and Rushegura habituated in 2000.

Besides gorilla trekking, travelers to Buhoma can also enjoy community visits to Batwa and Bakiga communities at the edge of the forest, hiking trails which include Munyaga trail, Waterfall trail, Rushura trail, River lvi trail, and Muzabajiro loop trail among others. Buhoma is also good for bird watching being a shelter for several bird species.

  • Rushaga sector

Located in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Rushaga is home to 5 gorilla families making it best for gorilla trekking.

It is easily accessed from Kisoro hence the nearest to connect from Kigali via the Chanika border.

The habituated gorilla families include Busingye, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, and Kahungye all available for trekking.

Rushaga also offers gorilla habituation and two families named Bushaho and Bikyingi.

Within Rushaka you may also enjoy cultural visits to Batwa communities, forest walks, and bird watching among other activities.

Rushaga is also home to Lake Mutanda presenting an opportunity for travelers to have a boat cruise at the lake.

  • Nkuringo sector
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Located in southern Bwindi, Nkuringo is home to the Nkuringo family available for trekking. Sometimes the Bushaho gorilla family crosses from Rushaga to Nkuringo Nkuringo sector which is located on higher altitudes making it strenuous to hike in order to see the gorillas.

This sector is therefore recommended for the young travelers and the physically fit that can manage strenuous hikes.

You may also enjoy cultural visits to Bakiga communities.

Ruhija sector

Located in the Eastern part of Bwindi forest national park, Ruhija is home to the Kyaguriro family, Bitukura family, and Oruzogo family all available for trekking.

Ruhija stands at 2,350 meters above sea level making it one of the coldest areas in Bwindi.

It also offers the most strenuous and adventurous hiking trail to the Rwamunyonyi peak. You may be able to meet other primates such as elephants and several monkey species on the trail.

The main activities in Bwindi include Gorilla trekking, birding, cycling, and nature walks.

  • Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The major activity in Bwindi is Gorilla tracking limited to a maximum of 8 people per particular gorilla group per day.

Permits must be booked before since they are in very high demand all year round. This can be done by getting in touch with the Uganda wildlife Authority or contacting your local Uganda safari Operator for advice.

  • Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Birding covers about 350 bird species including the short-tailed Warbler and Blue-headed Sunbird.

The most easily seen include the African Emerald Cuckoo, Common Bulbul, African Blue, and White-tailed Blue Flycatchers, and Red-headed Bluebill.

Birding usually takes place along the main trail, the Buhoma Waterfall Trail, and along the bamboo zone and Mubwindi Swamp trail in Ruhija.

  • Cycling in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Mountain biking follows a well-maintained trail from the park headquarters at Buhoma to the Ivi River covering 13Km.

You may see wildlife such as bushbucks, black-and-white colobus, and red-tailed monkeys along the trail.

The six-seven hour round trip departs in the morning and is organized by Buhoma Community Rest Camp under the “Ride for a Woman” community development initiative.

  • A nature walk in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

There are six major nature walking trails in Buhoma that include the Muyanga Waterfall Walk that departs from Buhoma along the River Ivi-Nkuringo trail and culminates in the sensational sight of the falls plummeting 33 meters, the Rushura Hill Walk that passes through one forest shared by two countries along which you may sight Lakes Edward and George, the Rwenzori Mountains and the conical peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes on a clear day; Muzubijiro Loop which is a 6km walk around a hill from where you can encounter primates and birds;

The Ivi River Walk which is 14km and takes around seven hours through a place known as Mukempunu – meaning “a place of pigs”, where wild pigs can often be found;

The Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail that takes three to four hours crossing right through the park connecting the two villages;

The Habinyanja (Railegh) Trail that takes about four to six hours through the Munyaga River, the steep ascent of the Habigorogoro and Riyovi Ridge overlooking Buhoma River.

You may encounter the legendry “African Corner” on this trail and a few birds including the Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Black Duck, and Black Bee Eaters among others.

  • When to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The rainy season is normally from March till May and October till November with light rain season falls in November and December.

Dry seasons are from December to February and June to August. The best months of the year would be December to late February and from June to September.

Uganda is suitable for travel at any time of the year. Uganda is sunny most of the year with temperatures rarely rising above 29 degrees (84 degrees Fahrenheit). The average annual temperature is about 26 degrees Celsius (78° Fahrenheit).

In conclusion, the Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is the best for gorilla trekking.

Contact us to book a gorilla safari now, visit ay sector and enjoy a life-changing encounter with the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

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