Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Nestled in the southwestern Uganda on the edge of the rift valley, Bwindi is one of Africa’s most ancient and diverse rainforests. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to more than half of the worlds remaining mountain gorilla population. The mountain gorillas are highly endangered species and while on an african safari, tourists can spot these primates. The national park has an area cover of 331 square kilometres and is located in the highest parts of kigezi highlands with an altitude of 1,190 to 2,607 meters above sea level. While on an african vacation safari, tourists can take part in various activities as stated below;
- Gorilla trekking
There is no african safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park without the gorilla trekking experience. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park is the major activity and thus attracted a number of tourists from all over the world. Bwindi impenetrable national park has habituated gorilla families within the 4 sectors of the park which include Buhoma, nkuringo, ruhija and rushaga.
While on an african vacation safari, small groups of 8 are briefed in the morning before they enter into the forest in search of the habituated gorilla family with the help of the experienced guide. The trekking safari takes 30 to 6hours depending on the location of the gorillas. When the gorilla family is located, you will spend an hour with them as you watch them playing and jump from one tree to another. This african safari experience is a life changing encounter that connects nature with tourists.
- Guided nature walks and hiking trails
The national park has developed nature trails that tourists can explore the wonders of the park while on an african safari. While on an african safari, tourists can explore various hiking safari trails;
- Munyaga river trail is for starters and it has gentle paths and offers tourists an opportunity to see butterflies and primates. The trail starts from the Buhoma gate or the rushaga gate depending on where your hotel is located and it takes 3-4 hours.
- Rushura hill trail is found in Buhoma sector in the north of Bwindi impenetrable national park. the hike takes 3hours with amazing views of the forest canopy, Rwenzori mountain peaks, lake George and Edward.
- Muzabajiro loop trail is as well located in Buhoma sector and it takes 3-4 hours. The trail introduces you to the Rushura hill as well as the amazing views of the national park, rift valley and the Virunga massif.
- Mubwindi swamp trail as well takes 4-5 hours and it’s the best nature walk trail situated in Buhoma sector. The trail takes you through the swamp and rain forest where you are able to see animals, primates bird species and the Virunga massifs.
Other trails include the ivy river trail, habinyanja trail, kashasha river trail and bamboo trail. These trails offer an opportunity to tourists on their african safari to explore the most diverse ecosystem of the national park.
- Gorilla habituation
For a more immersive and deeper african vacation safari, tourists can take part in the gorilla habituation experience. The gorilla habituation is carried out only in Bwindi and in rushaga sector. With the help of researchers and conservationists, tourists learn the process of how gorillas get used to the human presence which is a more sensitive process that helps to learn the critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Tourists spend 4 hours with the primates and only 8 individuals are allowed to take part in the african safari experience. This helps tourists in engaging in the conservation efforts and as well understand the gorilla behaviours.
- Batwa cultural experience
The Batwa people are referred to as the forest keepers and the original inhabitants of the region before the national park was established. The Batwa cultural experience adds depth to the african safari within Bwindi impenetrable forest. During the african safari, the Batwa people will share and demonstrate there way of life, hunting skills, cooking and how they made use of the lest expected materials such as sticks to make fire, how honey was collected and as well how they used plants for food and medicine.
The Batwa people depended on the forest for a very long period. While on the african vacation safari, the Batwa will dance their traditional dance and as well tell stories, this experience helps in preserving the Batwa culture as well as offering support to the Batwa communities.
- Birdwatching
Bwindi impenetrable national park is known as a birders haven that tourists while on their african safari shouldn’t miss. With the presence of about 350 bird species where 23 species are endemic to the Albertine rift and 14 recorded species that aren’t found anywhere else.
The major birding spots within Bwindi include Buhoma waterfall trail, Ruhija’s neck that is famous for the african green broadbill. Mubwindi swamp which is also best for watching the elusive Grauer’s broadbill and the bamboo zone which is a haven for high altitude bird species.
- Mountain biking
Another unique way of exploring Bwindi impenetrable national park is by mountain biking thus making the african vacation safari more interesting. The initiative of ride 4 a woman provides bike rentals as well as guided tours.
The major mountain biking routes include;
- Ivy river trail which offers tourists to spot wildlife species as well as birds.
- Village cycling tours that are best for cultural encounters combined with gentle exercise.
By taking part in the mountain biking experience, tourists support local women’s empowerment projects hence an amazing fulfilling addition on their african safari.
- Community and village walks
Tourists on an african vacation safari can complement it by exploring the communities that are surrounding Bwindi impenetrable national park. guided villages walks in different sectors of the park such as Buhoma, nkuringo and rushaga help tourists to visit local schools, hospitals and many more.
Tourists can as well take park in visiting local homesteads to see traditional farming practices, learn craft making such as weaving baskets, make banana brew locally known as waragi and watching herbalists and healers prepare traditional medicines. All these activities make your african safari rich and thus showing harmony between community development and conservation.
- Seeing wildlife and butterfly
Bwindi impenetrable national park has many treasures that rarely seen yet they add value to the african vacation safari. While on nature walks and hikes in the national park, tourists should look out for the following;
Forest elephants which are not often seen, primates that is chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys as well as L’hoests monkeys which are seen regularly and butterflies where the park has over 220 species which are spotted while moving within the parks trails.
These encounters make every bit of Bwindi impenetrable national park an adventurous and reinforcing the status of the national park as one of the most diverse ecosystems in africaAfrica.
Therefore, a visit to
Therefore, a visit to Bwindi impenetrable national park is the best fusion of adventure, conservation and culture a typical african safari destination.