Visit Bwindi – Top Things to See & Do in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Without doubt, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the sought-after touristic spots in Uganda. It has plenty to awe for those who are after Wildlife, nature and hiking adventures.

It is located in the western part of Uganda along Uganda’s border with Democratic Republic of Congo. This Park is as well home to Bwindi forest, one of Uganda’s most prominent forests.

It is very rare to find an itinerary to Uganda when it’s missing Bwindi and this is because of its outstanding charm.

You can get to this Park by either road transport means or air transport – you can as well connect from Rwanda, this journey is more rewarding as it is via roads that wind through lush forests, and rolling hills.

Though known for the beguiling Gorilla Trek experience, this Park has abundant enticing pursuits to make your days on a Bwindi Gorilla Safari. You can check out of the list below.

Gorilla Trekking.

Every one wish to meet face to face with the great species of Gorillas in the Jungle. There is no way you can reach to this than being part of the Gorilla trekking excursions.

Thousands of travelers pack mainly for Bwindi Gorilla Trek. This involves moving in a group following the permanently established trails while tracing for these apes in the Jungles.

Before the trek, a briefing is first conducted to advise trekkers on what to do and not to do while with the Gorillas in the Jungles. After the journey starts and only eight people are allowed for each Gorilla family every day.

Trackers are usually the first to go early in the morning to track where exactly these apes spent their last – after they will inform the ranger with the group of trekkers about the location of the Gorilla family there are searching for.

You will spend only one hour with the Gorillas after discovering their presence. See them feeding, playing, laughing and you are free to take a lot of photos and videos.

Usually on a Gorilla Trek, it is beyond seeing Gorillas, travelers are exposed to other Wildlife species like primates, reptiles and birds.

Distance moved and time taken in the Jungles usually depends on the exact location of the Gorilla family you are tracing for.

Don’t forget to come along with your packed food and drinking water. The permit for trekking Gorillas is a must and it costs $600 USD per person.

Gorilla Habituation Experience.

This experience is almost similar to Gorilla trekking but the only difference is the time spent with the apes in the Jungles. With habituation, you are allowed to stay with the Gorillas for about four hours.

Habituation is mainly open to gorilla families that are still wild and not used to human presence.

During this period of time, tourists with ranger guides follow the Gorillas as they try to carry out different activities like feeding, playing, constructing temporally huts and more.

You will have more time to take a number of photos and videos for these giants of the Jungle. For Uganda, the habituation experience is offered in Rushaga sector and its permit costs $1500 USD per person.

Bird Watching.

Besides being a hub for Gorilla trekking, Bwindi stands amongst Uganda’s best birding hotspots. It is recorded with over 320 bird species including the 23 species that are endemic to the Albertine rift.

Birders prefer Ruhija sector as the best to see unique species particularly in the Mubwindi swamp.

Common species to see include Chestnut-throated Apalis, African Green Broadbill, Regal Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Handsome Francolin, and Chapin’s Flycatcher, Collared Apalis, Montane Oriole, and Short tailed Warbler, Kivu Ground-Thrush, and Western Green Tinker bird, African Wood Owl, Archer’s Robin-Chat.

Batwa Community visits.

After Gorilla trekking excursions, you have an option to visit the Batwa people in their local communities.

During the visit, you will have an insight into the living standards of these people, be entertained by their traditional singing and dancing along with participating in their local activities.