Main Info
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Brief:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked.
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
More details: https://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/bwindi-impenetrable-national-park
What to do
1. Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is number one of the top activities to do in Bwindi National park. This activity has attracted travellers from all corners of the world. Almost every traveller who has visited Uganda or gone on safaris in Uganda has gone gorilla telling. The main requirement to come for gorilla trekking is buying a gorilla permit which allows you in the national park with the guidance of Uganda Wildlife Rangers, guides and trackers.
2. Gorilla Habituation
Number 2 of the top activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable national park is gorilla habituation. The gorilla habituation experience only takes place in Rushaga, the Southern Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. It is a once in a life time experience because you get to spend 4 hours with the mountain gorillas from the time you see them.
3. Bird Watching
Bird watching comes at Number 3 of the top activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National park. The forest is a birder’s haven and anyone on a bird watching safari should not miss an opportunity to go bird watching in the forest.
Bird species here include the African Green Broadbill (only found in Ruhija-the Eastern sector of the forest and in Congo), Mountain Oriol, Great Blue Turaco, Rwenzori night jar, among others.
4. Batwa Cultural Experience
Among other activities to encounter in Bwindi Impenetrable national park is the Batwa Cultural experience. Batwa are the first people to live in Uganda and used to live in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and other forests before they were evicted from them by the government.
During the Batwa cultural experience, the Batwa people will take you on a hike to the forest, guided by Batwa guides. They will share with you how they lived, hunted and used the forest plants as medicine. They will teach you how to make fire traditionally, teach you their songs and traditional dances, teach you hunting skills among others.
Itinerary
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This 3 days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will bring you face to face with the massive giants of Bwindi – the mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the south western part of Uganda covering an area of 321 km2 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The forest lies at an altitude between 1160 m -2607 m above sea level and is famous for being home to over 450 mountain gorillas.
Itinerary details
Day 1: Travel to Bwindi impenetrable forest for the Uganda gorilla trekking safari
Your day will start after an early breakfast and you will embark on your gorilla safari southwards to Bwindi impenetrable forest. The journey will offer you highway sights of rural and semi-urban Uganda with several fruit & vegetable markets along the roads, craft and drum makers and a stop at Uganda’s Equator monument where you will cross to the southern hemispheres. After the experience at the Equator, the drive will continue with a stop over in Igongo Culture Centre - Mbarara for lunch before proceeding to Bwindi with short bathroom stopovers and picture sessions of landscape and other attractions.
Accommodation Options: Luxury, mid-range, budget.
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest
Today early morning your driver guide will pick you up from the lodge and transfer you to the briefing point at 7am before you start your gorilla trek at 8 am. On arrival at the briefing place, you will be welcomed and given seats until time of briefing as your driver guide registers you with the ranger on duty to be allocated for a gorilla family.
You will eventually meet your ranger guide and start your gorilla trek in the jungles of Bwindi.
We advise you to hire a porter to carry your day pack because sometimes the gorillas could be located a distance far from the start of your trek, they can also help push or pull you along the steep slippery paths in the forest.
Optional – afternoon community walk
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Entebbe
Today you drive back to Kampala. Have lunch at the Equator and enjoy picture sessions in both the northern and southern hemispheres. This will mark the end of your lovely Uganda holiday.
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Gorilla trekking tips
•Mountain gorillas sometimes nest far, you should pace yourself and drink plenty of water.
• Eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden – designated time and place will be communicated.
• Bwindi being a tropical forest, it can rain anytime so we encourage you to carry a rain poncho
• Waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots are essential.
•Gardening gloves for protection against stinging plants
•Long trousers and long sleeved sweaters or shirts while in the forest to avoid insect stings.
• Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash.
• Porters are available to help you carry your day pack for a small charge.
Tour cost includes:
• Gorilla tracking permit
• Ground transport
• Bottled water in the safari vehicle
•Full board accommodation for two nights
•Service of an English-speaking driver guide
•All mentioned activities except for the optional ones.
Tour excludes
• Extras at the accommodation i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
• Tips to porters and driver/ guide
• Insurance
• Visa and flight tickets
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