Activities To Do In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an extra-ordinary Uganda safari park and considerably a must-visit tourist destination by most travelers. The 331sq.kms protected area protects over 459 mountain gorillas and worldwide, there are only 3 countries (Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo) where these rare apes exist.
The primary reason why Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was founded in 1991 to shelter a section of mountain gorillas. To most visitors on Uganda safari, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is their preferred destination for mountain gorilla trekking experience but there is a lot more to excite you.
Below are the top Safari Activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National park
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is one major reason Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a must-visit Uganda safari park. About 20 habituated gorilla groups exist and open for gorilla trekking in Bwindi alone. They can be trekked only in the 4 regions; Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga. Gorilla permits in Uganda are issued out to visitors on gorilla safari at $700.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only park on earth where gorilla habituation experience is conducted. It is an extra-ordinary primate adventure offering you opportunity to spend 4 hours with mountain gorillas instead of 1 hour while you are on usual gorilla trekking. Kutu group family in Rushaga area is presently open for habituation experience and permits can be obtained at $1500 per person.
Bird Watching Safaris
About 360 bird species are all sheltered within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which makes it one of the best birding safari destinations in Uganda. The birds to expect to keep your eye on include the Shelley’s crimson wing, red faced woodland warblers, white browed crombec, Ruwenzori batis, chestnut-throated apalis, green tinkerbird, handsome francolin to mention but a few.
Biking/cycling
Biking is another amazing alternative to explore and experience Bwindi while on Uganda safari holiday. It is carried out in Buhoma area by Ride 4 a Woman, a community support initiative. The group has bikes for hire and guides to take you in and around the park. There are exceptional trails to explore and a complete biking experience can take about 3 hours less or more because it all depends on the trail you will use.
Guided Nature Walks/hiking
With about 12 hiking trails nature enthusiasts to explore for a day or more. They include Ivy river walk, Habinyanja trail, Muzubijiro, Muyanga waterfalls trail, Rushura hill walk, Nkuringo trail and others. Each of these trails has something amazing to excite you while on a nature walk ranging from primates, scenic waterfalls, forest birds and other mammals.
Batwa Cultural Experience
In every Uganda safari park, there are nearby local communities and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was originally occupied by the Batwa pygmies who lived as gatherers and hunters for over 500000 years. They were displaced to allow mountain gorilla conservation and protection making them the marginalized group at Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. A visit to the Batwa community gives an insight into their daily lifestyles, traditions, cultures as well as get entertained by their unique dances and music performances.
Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is open to tourists on safari in Uganda all year round. But the dry season is considerably the best time especially for tourists who are interested in mountain gorilla trekking adventures. The dry months in Bwindi start from June-September and December-February. On the other hand, it is possible to embark on Uganda safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park even during the wet/rainy season that is recorded from March-May and October-November.