Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in far south western Uganda. Its covers an area of 32,092 ha, is one of the largest areas in East Africa which still has Afromontane lowland forest extending within the montane forest belt.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park protects an predictable about 320 population of mountain gorillas – approximately half of the population in the world, among which are a number of habituated gorilla families which can be tracked by visitors. Bwindi is habitat to more than half of the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas. Totally, there are over 300 mountain gorillas in the world today.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers the following activities:
Gorilla Habituation – Gorilla habituation is the process through which gorillas are made familiar to human being. The process takes between 2-3 years when primate experts visit a targeted gorilla family on daily basis until when they are used to man. Currently Gorilla habituation for visitors now cost US$1500 each and the time spent with gorillas is 4hrs.
Gorilla trekking – normal trekking allow guests to spend 1hr with gorillas while in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking starts with briefing at 7:30am at the park headquarters however, gorilla trekking involves moving into the jungle to meet gorillas in natural habitat. Currently, Uganda Gorilla permit cost up to US$800.
Buhoma Nature walk – This is an opportunity to explore the Buhoma Community Village on foot. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and way of life of the local people residing in the vicinity. Buhoma community walk will take you through the heart of the village, where you can witness the daily activities of the locals, such as farming, cooking, and engaging in traditional crafts.
Batwa cultural expedition – Batwa pygmies of western Uganda are known as the original inhabitants of Bwindi and Mgahinga forest. As forest dwellers, the Batwa survived on hunting small game, fruit and vegetable gathering from with in the forest. They lived in small grass and leaves thatched huts which were not for permanent stay since they moved constantly in search for fresh food and wild animals. For a long time, they co existed peaceful with the rest of the forest animals including mountain gorillas without being a threat to their survival. When the Bwindi impenetrable forest was turned into a national park in 1992, the Batwa were chased out of the only place they called home. Today, tourists engage the batwa pygmies for lots of entertainment through music, dance and drama, skills of preparing local food, iron smith among others.
Bird watching – Bwindi boasts a record of 360 bird species. Discover over 20 of Uganda’s prized Albertine Rift endemics, including globally threatened species such as the Grauer’s Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimson wing.
Forest walk/ hiking – The Ivy River Trail. This trail starts off with a 7km walk along a murram road with the rain forest on the right and the river on the left. …
The Kashasha Trail. This is the most direct trail through the forest and is about 13km in length, Batwa Cultural Experience, The Munyaga River Trail, Cultural Walk.
Mountain Biking – These guided bike ride takes about five hours but so interesting since you are able to see the wonderful scenery, tree species, bumping in to a gorilla family roaming at the edge of the forest can be on a luckiest day and bird species among others
Lake Mutanda visit – while at lake Mutanda, you can do birding, community walk or boat cruise among other activities. Lake Mutanda is one of the crater rates in western Uganda and Uganda at large. The Lake offers fish and water to the surrounding communities and more so a beautiful scenery for tourists.
