Bwindi impenetrable forest is the only park where mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, man, forest elephants, reptiles and amphibians, Batwa community co- exist in the same environment. In addition to diverse wildlife, deep in the middle of the tropical forest there are refreshing streams and several waterfalls. The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Bwindi national park as world heritage site since 1994. If you’ve never been to Bwindi, you’re missing out and below we give you the interesting activities you should not miss out once you visit, are the reasons.
Mountain gorilla tracking
Bwindi impenetrable forest is best known as the home to the remaining mountain Gorillas where visitors get a unique opportunity to come face to face with mountain gorilla in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking always begins with briefing before setting off to the jungle at 8:00 am by the game rangers. There are 14 gorilla families in total in Bwindi at different sectors including Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga and only eight people are allowed per family for one hour to see how they behave, feed, take photographs and when one hour elapses you trek back to the headquarters where you will be given your certificates for successful gorilla trekking. A mountain gorilla permit is US$700 during the peak season of December to February, June to September and as low as US$450 during low season of April, may, October and November. You are advised to book your permit in advance through online or your entrusted tour operator.
Participate in Gorilla Habituation Experience
Habituation experience is where mountain gorillas are trained to get used and interact with human beings and learn human beings are not a re threat to them. If you ever want to know how mountain gorillas are habituated, dare not miss out to visit bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Unlike gorilla trekking where you spend only one hour, with habituation you spend 4 hours seeing the process of habituation for example imitating vocals, chewing vegetation, walking on knuckles. However it’s a bit costly but worth it .Habituation process takes place daily for about 2-3 years, for the mountain gorilla to get used and know that human beings are not a threat to them.
Only 4 people are allowed per family per day so book your permit as early in advance not to miss out this exciting experience.
Bird Watching
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is number one birding site in Africa especially the endemic Albertine rift valley birds. Indeed, the park offers excellent bird watching experience with 364 birds.Some of the Albertine endemic bird species include; Red-throated Alethe, African Green Broadbill, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Short-tailed Warbler, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Dawrf Honey guide, Grauer’s Warbler, Dusky Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Batis, Purple-breasted Sunbird, RegalSunbird, Shelley’s Crimson wing, Strip-breasted Tit, Blue-headed Sunbird, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Strip-breasted Tit, Kivu Ground Thrush, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, and the Strange Weaver. Rwamunyonyi peak in Ruhija and Mubwindi swamp south of Bwindi are highly recommended for birders.
Experiencing cultural encounters
In additional to gorilla trekking safaris as the main activity, there are also other activities like culture encounters around the within community. Village walks will take you to a fuse of the indigenous local Bakiga and Batwa community who will tell stories about their life style, show the hunting skills, cultural dancers among others, along the trail you will find craft shops selling handmadeart crafts, woodcarvings, bees wax candles and many more.
Mountain Biking is one of the latest adventures within Bwindi impenetrable forest. Mountain biking in Bwindi is a community initiative named “Ride for a woman”. It is organized by Buhoma Community Rest Camp and takes a 13 kilometer well maintained trail to Ivi River departing from the park headquarters in the morning and the round trip takes six to seven hours. Along this trail, you may see wildlife such as bush-bucks, black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkeys.
