Are you planning to Visit Bwindi this year? There are lots of things to do in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The most popular are gorilla trekking, nature walks, bird watching and hiking adventures.
Top Things to Do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Trekking
Did you know gorilla watching is the focus for most safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable forest? Gorilla tracking is a very captivating activity; it involves walking in the wilderness in search of these great apes. Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer – but we should not let it distract from Bwindi’s broader biodiversity, a result of its immense antiquity and an altitude span from 1,160 to 2,607m.
Visitors have an option of tracking gorillas twice or once and also take on the full day gorilla habituation program. No matter what your choice could be, the rangers will give you just that provided you have the right gorilla trekking permit. Connect with nature in the best way and get a chance to stair in the eyes of the sliver back gorilla during your gorilla safari in Uganda.
Gorilla tracking experience is beyond every ones imagination and it’s something you can write a story about and even narrate it all to your grand children someday. The one hour duration with gorillas in observation and photography truly impact lives as you see and experience what you have always seen on TV. The forest trek its is awesome giving you a chance to explore the detailed beauty of the thick hilly forested vegetation. What a beautiful wild forest jungle Bwindi is in Africa and the only place I can recommend for all kinds of gorilla safaris in Africa.
Please note that gorilla tracking is the main attraction; permits must pre-booked at the UWA office in Kampala. Other guided forest walks are available: one popular trail leads to a pretty waterfall, others focus on birding and monkey-viewing.
Gorilla habituation experience
In addition to the usual gorilla trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is also the only destination in the whole world where gorilla habituation experience is conducted. This is an extra-ordinary adventure and takes you through semi-habituated gorilla families where you will spend the whole day while following these Great Apes. Upon getting a group of these magnificent creatures, you are given all the four hours to strike your imaginations with them, take as many photos as you can unlike the usual treks where you have only one hour. Bushaho and Bikingi are the only gorilla groups in Bwindi National Park where this tremendous primate adventure is conducted.
Cultural Tours in Bwindi
Who knows when your gorilla tracking expedition will end, no one since treks last between 2-6 hours. You can actually take a culture tour around the nearby park homesteads in the afternoon after your gorilla safari experience and spend time with locals exploring their daily life around the gorilla trekking destination. If you love giving support to others in need, don’t forget to carry along what you will give them to remember your visit to Africa. It may be clothes, pens, books few dollars and much more in that convexity. Just like other tour activities, still you will move around in company of a guide to ensure your safety and comfort. However, you can use the same time and visit different art and carft shops for souvenir choices.
Forest Nature Walk
Heading out for a forest walk into the forest is not only done during the mountain gorilla search, you can also revisit the forest after the trek and see other forest interesting features. Sometimes it helps you to go another way and experience a wide range of forest habitats including monkeys, birds, waterfalls, butterflies etc.Still during this tour activity, you will need a park guide to take you around and ensure your safety all through. Bwindi is blessed with beautiful flora and fauna nice for relaxing forest nature walk and rewarding primate viewing experience. Birders and nature lovers, make it a point to try this out if you have a free afternoon at your lodge after gorilla tracking.
Cycling in Bwindi
Get a chance to stretch your legs and also see other beautiful forest habitats and attractions by riding a bicycle for a woman in Bwindi forest. The ride can be brief just around the villages but you can also go to the forest deep down the waterfalls and enjoy nature at its best. A social talk session is always conducted by women leaders and later the beneficial women in the program.
Mountain Biking
This adventure takes you through the Buhoma area and also other significant areas at Bwindi National Park. While on mountain biking tour in Bwindi, you get a chance to ride 4 a Woman a community support group which provides mountain bike rentals and guided bike in and around the park. Besides, you have a chance to take walk to villages on a bike with a guide, alternatively ride through the forest via trails like Ivy river trail. Biking tours in this park last about three hours or more. For excellent biking experiences, Buhoma is that one sector you need to pay a visit and you won’t regret in life.
Besides, there are also several exciting activities for you to enjoy while on Uganda safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and they include among others the Batwa experiences/encounters, Buhoma village walk, cycling tours a mention but a few.
Batwa Forest Trail
This mainly for adventurous and cultural fans. You can spend a day in company of the forest people who sacrificed their ancestral home for mountain gorilla conservation. I think its another cultural party in the forest with forest friends-the Pygmies. Although these people no longer live in the middle of the forest but still their way of life and lifestyle is magical. Preparing fire with sticks, hunting, making local herbs for survival and the ultimate dance and drama is a definition of ancient living in the present. Truly memories of these amazing people are unforgettable. During this activity, you free to sit back and enjoy the Batwa culture or engage in different activities.
Birding
With more than 350 distinct bird species, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is undoubtedly a birder’s paradise. Birding tours in this park take you through a walk to different trails including Mubwindi swamp and the notable bird species for you to catch a glimpse at this park include the African green broadbill, Shelly’s crimson wing, Chapin’s flycatcher and many others.
Conclusively, Bwindi National Park is an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts whether you are interested in gorilla adventures or hiking experiences.