Bwindi Forest National Park, Gorilla Trekking Tours

Bwindi Forest National Park is located South West of Uganda covering an area of 331 square kilometres (128 sq mi) along the borders of the vast green Democratic Republic of Congo close to Virunga National Park.

The park is a very unique safari destination to be visited by all kinds of travelers looking for a unique Adventure encounter with the rare species of Mountain Gorillas in Uganda.

Other than the prominent Mountain Gorillas here, there are also 120 species of mammals, 348 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos as well as 1,000 flowering plant species, including 163 species of trees and 104 species of ferns.

The park has 12 habituated Gorilla Groups that can be tracked and these are divided into four different sectors i.e Buhoma Sector, Rushaga Sector, Ruhija Sector and Nkuringo Sector under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The Gorilla Families and their Sectors

Activities at the Park

When you transfer to Bwindi for your amazing safari holiday trip you can involve in various safari activities and these include;

Gorilla Trekking

This is the most prominent safari activity carried out in the park and the park inhabits approximately 340 mountain Gorilla individuals in various groups under different sectors. The experience is amazing and the Gorilla Trekking permit costs US $700 per person interested in tracking a specific Mountain Gorilla group in Bwindi.

The Gorilla Trekking Process

You will be picked up from your destination to be transferred to Bwindi with your valid trekking permit and when you get to the park you will transfer to the park headquarters where you will be briefed shortly about how to interact around the Mountain Gorillas.

Bird Watching

This is also a very remarkable safari activity to carry out in Bwindi due to the numerous bird species that inhabit and fly around the trees in the forest. There are 347 different bird species that can be watched here with 70 of the 78 montane forest birds and 22 of 36 endemic to the park. The park comprises of many unique bird species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The species that can be seen here include; Kivu Ground Thrush, honey guide, Dusky Crimson, Bar-Tailed Trogon, the wing warbler.

Gorilla Habituation Experience

Other than Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi that takes only an hour in the presence of the Mountain Gorillas, there is also the Gorilla Habituation experience where travelers get the chance to stay with the Gorillas longer. The habituation experience is very exceptional and the travelers do it with the numerous researchers at Bwindi. The habituation experience is carried out on 2 different Mountain Gorilla Groups and these include the Bikingi Gorilla Group and Bushasho Gorilla Group which are located in Rushaga South of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park.

Travelers interested in this experience will take a period of 4 hours in the presence of the Mountain Gorilla individuals of these groups and the trekking permit costs US $1500 per person interested.

Book a safari Tour to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National park to enjoy staying in the presence of these amazing primates for more than an hour an experience that’s is so remarkable and fulfilling.

Cultural Encounters

Transfer to learn about the numerous traditions and customs of the local Batwa people that inhabit the neighboring villages as well as part of the forest to experience the best cultural encounters. The Batwa people are the initial inhabitants of the forest and were prominent hunter gatherers making them a very relevant people to adventure and discover while on holiday vacation safari at Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National park. They will perform Music, Dance and Drama according to their culture and all travelers can happily join the activities an experience that is un forgettable to all.

The proceeds gained from your visit to their community which has improved their standards of living due to infrastructural development like schools which have educated many introducing them to the 21^st century era. Don’t hesitate to go for this activity since your contribution will be improving somebody else’s livelihood.

Hiking and Nature Walks

There are numerous trails on which travelers can hike from one place to another in the forest of Bwindi National Park. You can take on the prominent hike trail in Bwindi from North to South of Bwindi Forest i.e the Nkuringo Trail which will take you some hours spending the overnight in a tent camp. You will wake up the next morning and continue on your hike towards the beautiful Lake Mutanda traversing a wooden dugout until you reach Kisoro Town.

Other trails that can be taken in Bwindi include; those in Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga and along these hikes expect to spot numerous bird species as well as monkeys interacting with their natural habitat to the fullest. Some of these trails will enable you explore some of the villages close to the park as well as the local people. Explore the thick Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as you hike from one place to another to enjoy the best.

Biking/ Cycling

For bikers around the world interested in experiencing nature as they ride along should not miss out on having one in the beautiful Bwindi impenetrable Forest. There are birding bike rides and casual biking experiences that are carried out on the famous Ivy River Trail and the bike ride takes a period of 3 hours with an experienced guide who is well informed of the trails around the thick green forest vegetation. The Buhoma sector offers the best biking experiences to all bikers around the world.

What You Should Wear for your Gorilla Trekking Experience

• Long Sleeved shirts/ T-shirts
• Long trousers that are not jeans
• Rain Jacket
• Woolen Gardening gloves
• Sweater
• Cap/ Hat
• Camera with no flash
• Ankle Trekking Boots
• Woolen socks
• Snacks and water

What Rules & Regulations around the Gorillas

• Keep a distance of 7 meters off the Gorillas
• Don’t litter around the park
• If you are ill, cancel you trekking for the Gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases
• Don’t make noise in the park
• Don’t startle while in the presence of the Gorillas
• Follow the guidelines given by your ranger guide
• If you want to help yourself, move away from the group into the bush and dig a hole of 4 meters then later cover it. (You should be with your guide)
• You are allowed an hour to stay in the presence of the Mountain Gorillas
• You must use a camera with no flash as you are taking photos of the Gorillas
• You must transfer through the forest with a ranger guide fully informed about the forest
• You will be in groups of 8 people
• You Must have a valid Gorilla Trekking Permit
• Don’t touch a Mountain Gorilla even when approached for this is provocative
• Don’t look direct into the eyes of the Mountain Gorillas
• When approached by a Mountain Gorilla, crouch down and look down for if you stay standing it is provocative to them regarding you as an enemy.