FAQs about gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

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FAQs about gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Learn more about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park's frequently asked questions. South Western Uganda is home to the untouched Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi receives its name from the dense forest that is home to the last surviving mountain gorillas. Locally, the Bakiga refer to the forest as "Bwindi," which means impenetrable and is very appropriate given its dual nature.

One travels 535 kilometres on the road from Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and arrives there in around 9 hours, without counting stops.

The main attraction of this ancient park is gorilla trekking, but as it was one of the ice age survivors, it is also a wildlife safe haven. Black and white colobus, blue monkeys, olive baboons, L'Hoest's, red-tailed monkeys, and chimpanzees are just a few of the primates who enjoy the pleasures of Bwindi forest.

In addition to these creatures, Bwindi Forest is also home to giant forest hogs, forest elephants, warthogs, and duikers.

Since Bwindi National Impenetrable Park is the primary birding attraction in both Uganda and Africa, birding in Uganda would be incomplete without it. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to around 350 different bird species, including about 23 of the 26 Albertine endemics that are listed as endangered by the IUCN.

Frequent Questions about Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park

Where is the location of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest?

Uganda is in East Africa, home to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It's in the southwest of Uganda. Due to the park's significant remaining population of mountain gorillas, it was divided into two regions: Northern Bwindi and Southern Bwindi.

The park is located between 1160 meters and 2607 meters above sea level. Mountain gorilla tracking requires hiking, which is one among the adventures available at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi Forest is situated in an area that experiences daily rainfall of roughly 2390 mm at any given moment. Temperatures in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park range from -7 degrees Celsius to -20 degrees Celsius.

Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Trekking

The main attraction of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is gorilla trekking. You can view mountain gorillas with a gorilla trekking permit, which is sold according on the region. Buhoma area, the main administrative area, Ruhijah area, Rushaga area, and Nkuringo area are the four gorilla trekking locations in the Bwindi forest. A maximum of 8 participants may trek with the gorilla families in each location each day.

Primate wander In Bwindi Impenetrable forest

In addition to the mountain gorillas, the Bwindi forest is also home to chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. The list goes on and on.

Birding watching In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The main birding destination in both Uganda and Africa is Bwindi. The forest is home to around 350 different bird species, including endemics to Albertine. Over 100 different bird species can be spotted daily by keen birders. The list of birds is vast and includes the Western Green Tinkerbird, Mountain Masked, Chestnut-throated, and Collared Apalis, African Hill Babbler, Rwenzori Batis, and White-tailed Crested Fly Catcher.

For serious birders, the Ruhija gorilla trekking area of Bwindi is excellent. For bird watching in Uganda, the Mubwindi Swamp is the real deal.

A nature walk in Bwindi

Anyone interested in taking a walk in the Bwindi forest has a number of options, including the Munyanga river route, which is a short trek to see birds and numerous monkeys.

Waterfall tail travels through lovely cascades while passing tree ferns.

On a clear, sunny day, the Rushura hill trek offers the best views of Lake Edward and the Rwenzori mountains as well as the western rift valley. The Muzabajiro Loop Tail passes through the top of Rukubira Hill and offers the most breathtaking views over the western Rift Valley, the Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park, and the Bwindi Canopy.

Bwindi Community Walks experiential

Some community walks are utilized to take visitors into the community in order to involve the inhabitants in the mountain gorilla conservation campaign since they benefit. The money earned is put toward community needs like road upkeep, school improvements, and better water supply, to name a few. Several of the neighborhood strolls are:

Nkuringo Community Walk Tour

For interested visitors, the inhabitants of the Nkuringo area run a community visit where you may talk to a local brewer, see a local homestead, a blacksmith, and a traditional healer. The fact that even when gorillas wander off, the locals do not simply kill them but feel the need to notify the authority is one method to encourage community park cooperation.

Buhoma Community Walk experiential and Cultural Performances

Through the local government of the Buhoma area, a three-hour trek where tourists learn about village life. Visitors take time off to visit a local residence, a local banana brewer, a traditional healer, and, as the day comes to a close, a scheduled performance by a local dance troupe.

How to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

By Vehicle on a road

From Kampala, the country's capital, there are a number of alternate routes that can be taken by car. Although everyone traveling to Bwindi can use public transportation, the stopovers are many. Even your property can be lost if you arrive in the Bwindi area late at night. We do not advise using public transportation to travel to Bwindi for gorilla trekking because of these reasons.

Kampala - Kabale - Nkuringo

It takes roughly 4 hours and 150 miles to travel from Kabale to Nkuringo over a curvy murram road. Before going gorilla trekking, one may choose to take a break in Kisoro and stay there. It takes 80 kilometres to travel from Kabale to Kisoro. One can spend the night in Kisoro and drive early the next morning to undertake gorilla trekking in the NKuringo gorilla trekking area, which is 35 kilometers away. It takes roughly one hour and thirty minutes to drive here.

Kampala - Kabale - Kanungu - Buhoma

Driving the 414 kilometres from Kampala's main city to Kabale takes approximately 6 hours. About 120 kilometers of a continuous trip traveled through Kanungu and Kanyantorogo on a twisty marram road.

Kampala - Ntungamo - Rukungiri - Kihihi - Buhoma

Using this route, you travel for approximately 8 hours without stopping. This is a direct path that you can take to leave Kampala. Drive the 390 km or so on the turmac road to Rukungiri, then 82 km on the murram road, arriving in Buhoma in the late afternoon or early evening only to check in and rest.

Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kihihi - Buhoma

If you choose the Ishasha sector, it would take you around 5 hours to get to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest after taking a game safari tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park. About 160 kilometres separate Mweya from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, while 64 km separate Ishasha sector. You must check that the Ishasha Bridge is in good condition because Ishasha is the habitat of tree-climbing lions.

Kampala – Kabale - Ruhijah - Buhoma

The 95 mile route takes you through isolated Kabale, Rujiha, and Buhoma. The road system is in poor condition.

Flying to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Domestic daily flights from Entebbe Airport and Kajjansi Airstrip fly to Kihihi Airstrip in the morning and afternoon. The majority of the time, especially during the busiest travel times, planes are overbooked, therefore you must reserve a seat in advance. On request, charter flights can also be arranged.

Make sure to reserve a transfer car because the Kihihi Airstrip is located roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes from the park's administrative center.

The Best Park for Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The debate over Volcanoes Park vs. Bwindi Forest for gorilla trekking is persistent, yet both locations offer wonderful experiences. Due to its size, Bwindi National Park offers more gorilla trekking families than Volcanoes, giving you a wider range of options. Even though Volcanoes National Park is smaller than Bwindi, its gorilla families are nonetheless lovely.

The cost of a Bwindi gorilla trekking permit is $700 per person per trek, but it takes roughly 8 hours to drive there from the Entebbe airport. Volcanoes National Park gorilla trekking permits cost $ 1500 per person per trip, however the journey takes roughly two and a half hours from Kigali International Airport.

What type of lodging should you reserve in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Anyone interested in Bwindi Activities like gorilla trekking, birding, and nature treks can find a choice of lodging options in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Depending on your budget, you can choose where to stay the night. You have the option of staying in a luxurious, midrange, or budget hotel.

Clouds Lodge, Gorilla Forest Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Engage Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas, Mantana Tented Camp, Lake Kitandara Camp, and Volcanoes Bwindi Camp are just a few of the lodging options in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

What Should You Pack For A Safari In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Boots for tracking that will support you when you hike to find the mountain gorillas, a camera without a flash to capture the moment and preserve the memory of seeing the gentle giants up close. Wearing rainproof clothing will keep you from getting soaked when it rains. Rainfall in the Bwindi Forest occurs constantly. Wearing a long-sleeved shirt and dirty-friendly colors, you can navigate the swampy jungle. Even though the majority of hotels offer toiletries, it is better to bring your own in case. Insect repellent since there are many insects, including stingers, in the forest.

A pair of binoculars to see any potential animals in the very tall trees, such as birds and monkeys, more clearly.

When is the best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Visits to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are welcome all year long, especially for birding and gorilla trekking. Because there are more accessible routes and less overgrowth during the dry months of June through September and December in Bwindi Forest, especially while going gorilla trekking, these months are friendlier. The earth is also less soggy. Please feel free to contact Dav Safaris with this and any inquiries concerning Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at info@davsafaris.com