Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park | Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
10-12 minutes
Overview
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley and mostly know for Gorilla Trekking of the rear Mountain Gorillas. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rain forests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants.
More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 340 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including thirteen (13) habituated mountain gorilla groups that are open to tourism: Mubare; Habinyanja, Bitukura, Busingye, Bweeza, Hibinyanja, Kahungye, Mishaya, Nshongi, Oruzogo, Rushegura near Buhoma and the Nkuringo group at Nkuringo.
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as Columbus monkeys, baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 348 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
The neighboring towns of Buhoma and Nkuringo both have an impressive array of luxury lodges, rustic bandas and budget campsites, as well as restaurants, craft stalls and guiding services. Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops and village walks.
List of Activities in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking
The Bird watching
Forest birding
The Nature walks/ hiking
Safari Activities in Bwindi
The Mountain Gorilla Tracking In Bwindi
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: The Habituation Experience
Mountain Gorilla Trekking is one of the most sought after activity on most African Safari Holidays. It is restricted to the South Western parts of Uganda, specifically the border of Rwanda with Uganda and Congo. To find Mountain gorillas live in groups and keep moving from one place to another, travelers with the help of a ranger guide will follow a gorilla group path and when they do, the moment spent with them is spectacular and memorable. Thus, the definition of “Mountain Gorilla Trekking” was derived. Recommended Bwindi Safari: 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Tracking Safari Tour & 7 Days Chimpanzee and Gorilla trekking
To Trek the Nkuringo, Nshongi, Mishaya or Kahungye groups of Mountain Gorillas you must first obtain a gorilla tracking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kampala. Members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators can purchase permits up to 2 years from the month of Mountain Gorilla Trekking. We help our visitor in obtaining Gorilla Permits for either the Nkuringo, Nshongi, Mishaya , Bweza Kahungye or Busingye groups on the south side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where availability exists.
The Bird watching safaris;
As noted earlier, Bwindi is the best birding safari tour destination its a sanctuary to over 348 bird species that are impossible or hard to see in any many other part East African regions. Interesting Bird Watching Safari: 12 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tour
Among others, special on its list are; the honey guide, the Wing, White-tailed Blue Monarch Short-tailed Warbler, kivi ground thrush, Wilcock’s, Rusty-faced woodland Gruel’s Rush Warbler, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon and Dusky Crimson An enthusiastic bird watcher can be able to identify as many as 100 species daily.
The Nature Walks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park;
Visitor with two or more days in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, can ably engage in a hiking tour along the four out land hiking trails that are famously done in the park. On all these trails, you will ably experience and get educated about the various bird species, the primates, butterflies, the trees as well as the other members of this Eco system. It’s advisable that you arrange for a guide’s services and company from the reception for your safety and to attain an excellent understanding of the park’s entire Eco system.
Forest Birding
Bwindi is a prolific and most certainly one of the best birding locations in East Africa. It is the ideal habitat for a variety of birds, with 350 species recorded, including 23 endemics (90% of all Albertine Rift endemics). It therefore comes as no surprise that Bwindi was named one of Africa’s most interesting national parks of 2014. Most of the birding in Bwindi takes place along the main trail, the Buhoma Waterfall Trail.
Nteko Ridge Community Trail
Local guides from Nkuringo Community motivated by the success of the ‘Village Walk’ at Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest have now developed a community village walk for visitors to Nkuringo- the Nteko ridge community trail. This guided walk provides visitors to Nkuringo as an additional activity to gorilla tracking.
The duration of the walk is 3 to 4 hours and starts at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.
Forest walk and Nature walk
This walk will expose you to Bwindi’s broad biodiversity with varied mammal species which include; primates like Chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkey, blue monkey baboon, while the black and white Columbus with its lovely flowing white tail is prominent. The shoddy trail will expose you to an array of butter fly species, species of moths, species of reptiles, tree species, the bamboo forest, flowers and many other attractions.
The Ruhija ridge top route offers visitors the insight of a deep valley containing the undisturbed rain forest as they watch the duikers, primates and both forest and grass land bird species. Visitors can also climb through the bamboo zone to find Afro-montane vegetation and panoramic views towards Lake Bunyonyi and Mafuga forest.
Village Walk
Ruhija is a great place for these walks and if you are interested in visiting the local community, Please let our lodge staff know for special arrangements for you. Options include visiting a local school, a traditional local healer, a banana brewery or combine the community tour with a nature tour towards the waterfalls.
Whatever tour take will equip you with knowledge on how the people in and around Ruhija live.
If required, the lodge can arrange a private performance for the guests at the lodge by children from the local orphanage – A beautiful sing and dance performance which will take you away into the Ugandan culture.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Clouds is the perfect place to stay for gorilla tracking, as well as enjoying a romantic weekend. Just walk out of the lodge gates to the starting point five minutes away.
The lodge is spacious and from the patio the views of Parc des Volcans and Virunga mountains in Rwanda and DRC are astounding!
The pretty stone cottages have the suite bathrooms, with their living rooms, and a fireplace between the bedroom and living room, keeping one toasty warm in the chilly mountain air.
Bwindi Jungle Lodge
Offering a garden and barbecue, Bwindi Jungle Lodge is located in Nyakalembe. Lake Muhele is 600m away. Free WiFi is available and free private parking is available on site.
Bwindi Jungle Lodge also includes a terrace. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant, with packed lunches available on request.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is your best value lodge. It is located at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park a section of forest that is home to the Nkuringo group of Mountain Gorillas. The camp provides a prime access point to the start of amazing Mountain Gorilla Tracking activity, the most sought after African Safari Vacation.
Virunga Terrace: Sabinyo, Gahinga, Mikeno,Gahinga,Visoke, Muhavura
Is block with 6 rooms all have en-suite facilities, a front terrace and with the back window overlooking the Virunga volcanoes; this is a great money value.
Family Cottage: Nteko and Kasahasha
The two in one family cottage, command a great view of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, each of the rooms have fireplace, sitting area, balcony with private entrance to each cottage. The Family cottage can be used for a family and also can be used as two private cottages, each with its own terrace and en-suite facility.
En-suite Private Cottage: Nyrirangongo, Nyiramuragira, Karisimbi and Virunga
Private hand crafted cottage with terrace and fitted with fireplace; the rooms can be arranged as double or twin occupancy, each cottage is individually designed and powered by solar lighting.
Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge which is part of Asyanut Limited, also known as Uganda Tour Guide & Incentives was found in 2007 and started operating fully in 2010. We are hosting many guests and we endeavor to make them feel at home always.
We believe that we sell experiences and memories….
The location of the lodge is truly a place where nature meets beauty. While sitting on the veranda of the main building, with a cup of hot coco and a magnificent view over the mountains of Bwindi, you forget that you are in Uganda and on Earth.
Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge and Uganda Tour Guide & Incentives is here to serve you, to welcome you and to host you.
Buhoma Lodge
Buhoma Lodge commands spectacular views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. We have created an intimate, top quality lodge offering guests a cozy, relaxing environment. On occasion, Mountain Gorillas have even been seen in the garden!
SilverBack Lodge
Silverback Lodge, located in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in western Uganda, Silverback Lodge is only a 5-minute walk to the national park and has sweeping views of the valley and forests that surround it.
Sanctuary Lodge and Gorilla Forest Camp
Once-in-a-lifetime encounters with Uganda’s endangered gorillas await when you stay in one of these only eight private luxury tents in the heart of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Bakiga Lodge
Built on the top of a beautiful valley overlooking Bwindi forest, Bakiga lodge is a wonderful accommodation for visitors looking for a real African experience with great views of Bwindi impenetrable forest.
Gorilla Mist Lodge
Privately operated and locally owned, our experience in the tourism industry gives us first hand knowledge about client care services. Customer care and comfort is our goal as we take pride in our service.
