Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is among the most prominent parks that invite a plethora of travellers from different parts of the world every year. You won’t believe the ever praised charms and natural wonders in Bwindi until you reach there while on a Uganda Gorilla Safari. This pristine destination hides just in the Western part of Uganda on Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. For a couple of years, Bwindi is one of the reasons why tourists visit Uganda several times during their vacation holidays in Africa. The park’s name was derived from the grand and outstanding forest in Uganda “Bwindi Impenetrable Forest”. This forest occupies part of the park’s area and a major habitat for different wildlife species including the rarely seen mountain gorillas.
How to get there. Travelling from Kampala, you can get to this park by two options including road and air transport means.
By road, you will drive for about 8-9 hours from Kampala up to Bwindi via Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway. It includes a stopover at the equator and in Mbarara to have some lunch. If not road- there is an option of using an airplane, private charters are arranged from Entebbe up to Kisoro Airstrip and from here, you will be transported by driver/guide up to Bwindi suburbs.
Gorillas in Bwindi: Without a doubt, these apes are the main draw for the traveler visiting the naturally endowed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda ranks to be homing the highest percentage of gorillas remaining in the all world, almost half of it. The biggest percentage of Uganda’s gorillas is found in Uganda. Travellers mostly consider this park because of the variety of gorilla species. Bwindi is only inhabited by the species of mountain gorillas; don’t expect to meet other species like Eastern Lowland Gorillas, Western Gorillas and more. These gorillas usually live in areas of higher altitudes and bamboo forested areas. They live in groups that are termed as gorillas families and each family is led by a male-dominated Silverback.
Because of variety, Bwindi is a destination where you go 100 percent surety of seeing or meeting with the gorillas. Physical fitness is a major requirement since some families tend to move deep into the valleys.
How many Gorilla families: Among all gorilla hosting destinations, Bwindi tops with the highest numbers of gorilla families that are habituated and open to trekking excursions. It is currently recorded with over eighteen gorilla families that are distributed in its four sectors. The park houses the families that are used for habituation experience. The four sectors: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is offered in its four sectors including the Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo sectors.
The Buhoma Sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It has four habituated gorilla families including Mubare the oldest, Habinyanja, Rushegura and Katwe Gorilla family. Rushaga Sector is placed in the southern part of the park. It is recorded with the highest number of families. The list embodies Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye, Nshongi, Bikini, and Mishaya. Ruhija Sector lies in the eastern part of Bwindi standing at an altitude of 2350m above sea level. It shelters three gorilla families including Bitukura, Kyaguriro, and Oruzogo Gorilla family. Nkuringo Sector hides in the southwestern part of Uganda just 40km north of Kisoro town. It is home to three gorilla families that include Bushaho, Christmas and Nkuringo Gorilla family. Which sector to choose. All sectors in Bwindi are good to track gorillas but if you are after variety, then Rushaga should be your best choice. Then for those combining gorilla trek in Bwindi with a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you must trek in the Buhoma Sector.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi: This experience is breathtaking and a lifetime adventure for most travellers who consider Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is usually done in a group – only eight tourists are allowed for a gorilla family per day. The time is taken and distance moved in the jungles of Bwindi depends on where these apes spent their last night.
After locating them, you are allowed to stay in their presence for only one hour. You will see them feeding, laughing, and wandering around. You are free to take plenty of photos and videos but a flash camera is not allowed for use.
Best time to Trek Gorillas in Bwindi: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is feasible all year round but it’s more peculiar in the dry season when there are low rainfall drops. In the rainy season, you may be interrupted with heavy rainfalls and trails in the jungle are muddy and slippery. For those who fancy crowd-free adventures, then consider doing the trek in the low season of travelling (March – June & October – November).
What’s required to trek Gorillas: In order to trek, you must buy a gorilla permit; this permit costs $700 USD per person in Uganda. Additionally, for anyone to trek, you must be fifteen years and above.
Where to Stay: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is reserved with plenty of accommodation facilities that range from budget, mid-range to luxury. There are all well-facilitated to fit the traveller’s needs. Each sector has its own accommodation, therefore when booking you have to consider first the sector you booked for the gorilla trek.
A Guide to Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga
To list some of Uganda’s top captivating parks, you cannot miss Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Thousands of travellers from different of the world pack for a visit to Uganda mainly to uncover the ever praised thrills in Mgahinga.
It is geographically located in the western part of Uganda along Uganda’s border with the vast Democratic Republic of Congo. If you are after a blend of nature, culture and gorilla encounter, this is actually a destination you should consider first.
The tropical rainforests, savannah, and swampy areas are the reason why this park is home to a range of wildlife species including the unrivalled species of gorillas. For a gorilla tour to Uganda, it must be including Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
How to get there: Travellers from Kampala, you will get to Mgahinga National Park in the western part of Uganda either by road transport means or air transport. By road, it is about 495 km and it takes about 8-9 hours for the drive from Kampala to Mgahinga via Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway. This jaw-dropping journey includes a layover at the equator to soak up some brief information about it, take a photo, and as well take a cup of coffee. As the journey continues, you will have another stopover in Mbarara for lunch and later continue with the Journey to Mgahinga. If you are nervous about a long-distance, then you should not even think about road transport instead you will go by air transport. Private charters are arranged from Entebbe up to Kisoro airstrip where you continue from up to the suburbs of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Other than reaching Mgahinga from Kampala, you can alternatively land in Rwanda at Kigali International Airport and cross to Uganda – Mgahinga, this is the shortest route when compared.
Gorillas in Mgahinga: Mgahinga has less number of gorillas but there are attractive and easily seen. A number of gorillas inhabit the lush habitats of Mgahinga but only one gorilla family is habituated and open to be visited by travellers. Since some parts in Mgahinga are occupied by Savannah and bamboo forests, this creates more space to see the gorillas from a distance. They cannot easily hide as they are always on display and found at a workable distance unless there is a scarcity of food, that’s when they move deep in the forest.
Gorilla Trekking Experience: This is everyone's dream and the main highlight for most of the visitors to Mgahinga National Park. For first-timers, gorilla trekking usually grants travellers grand opportunities to meet face to face with the species of gorillas in the jungles. For conservation and to ensure tranquillity, only eight people are allowed to visit one gorilla family per day. A briefing is conducted first to advise trekkers on what to do and to avoid while in the jungles.
After the briefing, the journey to the jungle starts in a group following the permanently established trails in search of the gorillas.
Trackers are usually the first to go early in the morning to locate where these apes are, so they will communicate via radio calls with the ranger guide leading the trekkers about the exact location of these apes. After locating, expect to spend only one hour allowed. You will see these creatures as they feed, move around, fight, play and more.
Take a lot of photos and videos before you start the journey back after one hour with these apes. It’s advised you come along with packed food for eating while in the jungle and drinking water. Best time to trek Gorillas in Mgahinga. Like other Gorilla hosting destinations, gorilla trekking can be done all year but it’s more convenient, rewarding and exceptional in the periods when there are low rainfall drops (low season). Rainy seasons are hectic, gorillas tend to hide in their huts to escape the coldness, trails are muddy, slippery and sometimes it can rain and interrupt with the starting time for the gorilla trek. To have an unusual Uganda Gorilla Trekking experiences, consider a visit to Mgahinga in low season. What’s required for Gorilla trek: As usual, to be part of gorilla trek, you must buy a gorilla permit. The permit in Uganda costs $700 USD per person, valid for use by one person, booked in advance and only provided by Uganda Wildlife Authority. It is more secure when you book with a local tour operator.
Another thing to know is that for anyone to trek must be fifteen years and above. You must also be free from infectious diseases.
What to Pack for Gorilla Trek: There are important you must pack for Gorilla trek in Mgahinga; these include strong hiking shoes, insect repellents, nose capes, sunglasses and huts, long-sleeved shirts and trouser, shocking, vests, waterproof bags, jackets and gloves.
Where to stay: Mgahinga has abundant lodging facilities that are nestled in different locations around the park. There is all reserved for tourists to stay on their visit to Mgahinga National Park an enthralling Gorilla Trekking Tour. Enjoy beautiful moments in Mgahinga with the gorillas. Breathtaking things to do in Bwindi Impenetrable Park: With picturesque tropical rainforest, captivating species like gorillas, incredible landscapes to ease of accessibility, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a destination not to miss while on a remarkable Uganda Safari. This park remains on the top priority list of travellers because of its outstanding natural wonders. Of all temptations, the species of mountain gorillas are the most prominent and travellers’ must want. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is tucked away in the western part of Uganda. It lies along a border that is shared by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It boasts lush habitats that are a must stay for most of Wildlife species.
You can easily get to this Park from Kampala via Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway or fly from Entebbe/Kajjansi airstrip up to Kisoro airstrip. Alternatively, you can land at Kigali International airport – Rwanda and cross to Uganda. Reaching Bwindi, there are a lot of things to make your days as listed below.
Gorilla Trekking Experience: With gorilla trekking, it’s not all about going to heaven or hell but it’s just meeting face to face with the gorillas in the jungles. There is nothing more thrilling than colliding your eyes with those of a Silverback. Before the trek, travellers are first briefed all about it takes for gorilla trekking in the jungles. Only eight people are allowed one gorilla family per day. After the journey starts heading into the jungle in search of these apes, you will wander around not until you discover their location. Gorilla Trackers are usually the first to go early in the morning, so they will help with tracing for these species of mountain gorillas. After discovering them, do all that you need in the one hour allowed to be in their presence. You can take photos and videos of the gorillas when posing at different locations. After one hour, the next step is vacating the place such that these giants of the jungles continue with their day to day work. Return to the lodge for relaxation as you get prepared for the evening pursuits. While in the jungles, you are not only limited to gorillas, you can behold other wild species in the park. Gorilla trek requires a permit that costs $700 USD per person, valid for use by one person and usually booked in advance.
Gorilla trekking has no strict time taken and distance moved but it often depends on where these apes spent their last night.
Gorilla Habituation Experience: This is almost similar to a gorilla trekking experience; it includes trekking in the jungle in search of these apes but what differs is the time spent with them. For gorilla trekking, you are only allowed for one hour which is not the same case with habituation. More time is allowed during habituation, you can spend four hours in the jungles with the Gorillas while following their movements, taking photos and videos of them. This is the best option recommended for photographers who often yearn for plenty of photos and videos. This experience in Uganda is only done in Bwindi – Rushaga sector. Its permit is a must and it costs $1500 USD per person. Bird Watching: It is not by chance, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a paradise for birding watching and this is backed by its huge numbers of bird species that inhabit its luxuriant habitats. Birders prefer being part of the birding excursions in Buhoma sector; this sector is recorded with over 190 bird species. While there, you can see a number of species such as short-tailed warbler, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, blue-headed sunbird, red-throated athlete and more. Another birding spot in Bwindi is the Mubwindi Swamp; you can take a three-hour hike from Ruhija that winds through dense forests. Views of numerous bird species are inspirational.
Batwa Community visit: The Batwa People were local hunters who migrated from Ituri forest reserve of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These people used forests as shelter, tree leaves as medicine, bush meat as food. After migration, some settled in Rwanda and others in the western wing of Uganda near parks like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These people later upgraded from being forest dwellers to normal human beings; they are now living in communities. After the gorilla trek, you can visit them in the evening to delve into their ancient history, experience their standards of living and more. Hiking Adventures: Bwindi features a number of hiking trails suitable for lovers of hiking expeditions. Visitors are advised to book in advance or a day before. There are three trails that begin from Buhoma including the easiest Muyanga River trail. The waterfall trail follows the Muyanga River that streams down the steep slopes south-east of Buhoma. The river continues through a series of plunging waterfalls before it enters the camp area. Ashura is another trial to try; it is strenuous though rewarding with scenic views across the western Rift Valley and towering volcanoes in DR Congo.
Nature Walks: Several guided nature walks that range from 30 minutes to eight hours is usual in Bwindi. They all start from the Buhoma Sector and rewards magical sights of wildlife species including primates and bird species. The three-hour water trail along the abandoned road through beautiful areas of the forest and the 33 high waterfalls on Munyaga River awards the best sights of monkeys. Rush is a hill trail and Mazubijiro loop trail offers scenic views of the Virunga Mountains; they are both finished in four hours. The eight hours Ivo River Walk that leads you to the Ivo River on the Bwindi southern boundary is the longest trail. For this trail, expect sights of birds and monkeys. Remarkable things to soak up on a safari to Uganda. If you are still not sure of the best captivating destination to pack for your next once in a life African Safari vacation, Uganda is here for you. It has a lot of things to make your days in Africa.