Bwindi is Uganda’s main gorilla national park found in the southwest of the country. A tour with Kinyeti takes you to the 321 km2 tropical rainforest ecosystem teemed with innumerable wildlife species. Bwindi National Park was gazetted in 1991 and soon after it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bwindi National Park is situated on the edge of the western rift valley, and sits on altitudes spanning between 1,160 m to 2,607 m above sea level.
Bwindi National Park is home to around 459 endangered mountain gorillas. This is around a half of the global total population, which is very impressive. There are 4 sectors where you can enjoy a gorilla trek in Bwindi National Park. These comprise Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector and Rushaga sector. You are only allowed an hour to spend with the habituated mountain gorilla family once you encounter them during a trek.
A gorilla trek in Bwindi National Park starts at around 7:30am. A briefing is mandatory since you are provided information about the trekking etiquettes. You are guided from a trailhead, into the forest by an experienced tracker and armed guard from the park. The trek can last for 4 to 6 hours. This also depends on how fit you are and where the gorillas are at that particular moment.
Reaching Bwindi National Park for a tour is done by using either road or air transportation. From Kampala, Bwindi is around 520 km on the road, heading south-westwards. This is a trip you will spend 9-11 hours our 4X4 safari car. On air, you will fly from Entebbe International Airport to either of Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip. This chartered flight by AeroLink takes between 1 hour and 15 minutes to almost 2 hours. We can organise the flight on your behalf.
Other activities in Bwindi National Park?
Bwindi National Park is among the most biodiverse regions in Africa. So many travelers tend to think Bwindi National Park is only for gorilla treks. There is ‘more than meets the eye’ in this national park. Among other activities to enjoy in Bwindi, you will experience,
A birding tour in Bwindi National Park
Make full use of your pair of binoculars plus your camera to see plenty of unique bird species. Bwindi is home to an inspiring 357 bird species. Around 90% of these bird species are found in the Albertine Rift region alone. 7 of the bird species in the Bwindi Forest are listed on the IUCN red list of threatened species. Also, 14 of the bird species you will see in Bwindi are endemic to Uganda.
Along the four birding trails, you may encounter any of the following bird species, Rwenzori turaco, African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimson wing, Rwenzori nightjar, mountain masked apalis, blue headed sunbird, regal sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori apalis, Handsome spurfowl, brown-necked parrot, short-tailed warbler, white-tailed robin chat, strange weaver, dusky crimson-wing and bush shrike etc.
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga sector
Bwindi National Park has 25 habituated gorilla families that you can track throughout the year. However, observing them is limited to only an hour. For extended durations with a gorilla family, you should choose a gorilla habituation experience. This is only done in the Rushaga sector. You will track and encounter a gorilla family that is still in the process of habituation. After finding them, you will spend 4 hours in their presence.
A nature walk in the breathtaking trails within Bwindi Forest
At Bwindi National Park, you have a great opportunity to go for a guided nature walk through the lush forest. Either in the morning or in the afternoon session, you can walk along the trails to have a tranquil experience. You will also get views of the waterfalls, Virunga ranges and the rift valley. There are also 120 mammal species, 51 reptile species, and 310 butterfly species you may spot while on a nature walk in Bwindi National Park.
A community visit at the edge of the forest
A tour at Bwindi National Park also presents an opportunity for a guided community visit among the Batwa and Bakiga. Guided by the locals, you will visit these precious communities to have a unique experience of their cultures. There are also opportunities to be entertained through local music and dances. These beautiful tribes can also demonstrate to you their unique ways of cooking their food, ways of treatment using local herbs and hunting techniques etc.
How much does gorilla trekking cost in Uganda?
The cost of a gorilla trek in Uganda is USD 800 for each person from the age of 15 onwards. This fee is for you to purchase a gorilla permit. The gorilla permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority, and you can purchase them through Kinyeti. On trekking day, you must present the permit to be allowed on a guided gorilla trek. During this, you will be allowed to locate and see a particular habituated gorilla family in the dense forest.
When to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi NP?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi NP in Uganda is an experience you can have on any day of the year. But Bwindi is a rainforest that could receive rains at any time of the year. This causes the gorilla trails to become muddy and slippery. This implies that you should come for a gorilla trek in the dry season. Bwindi during this time experiences warm and dry weather conditions. This causes drier gorilla trails that are much easier to walk through.
A combination of clear blue skies and less dense vegetation growth in the dry season will offer you clear views. The dry season also offers reduced rains in both frequency and quantity; hence you will have an uninterrupted gorilla trek. The dry season also offers low humid conditions during the day. This makes the tour very comfortable even for you who is prone to fatigue, allergies, heatstroke and dehydration etc.
The dry season in Bwindi National Park is experienced between June to September. There is also a dry period between December to February. If you however prefer a more challenging gorilla trek in Bwindi National Park, you should visit during the rainy season. This season runs from March to May and a second one from October to November. This season normally causes heavy rains to fall in Bwindi National Park.
During the rainy season, the gorilla trails are more muddy and very slippery than in the dry season. This makes your movement quite challenging but actually thrilling. Visibility is also slightly affected. This is partly due to cloudy skies and denser vegetation cover in the forest. But this makes the gorilla trek much more intriguing since finding the habituated gorilla family is full of mystery.