Encounter Mountain Gorilla Tours in Bwindi– Africa
Bwindi Impenetrable National park offers the last remaining rare endangered mountain gorillas located in the south-western part of Uganda. Composed of 331 km of both montane and lowland forest, it is accessible only on foot. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization-designated as a World Heritage Site. It is most notable for the 480 mountain gorillas, half of the world's population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Four habituated mountain gorilla sectors are open to tourism that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sector.
Its topography is very rugged, with narrow valleys intersected by rivers and steep hills. The forest is the source of many rivers that flow to the north, west, and south. Major rivers that rise in the park include the Ivi, Munyaga, Ihihizo, Ishasha, and Ntengyere rivers, which flow into Lake Edward. Other rivers flow into Lakes Mutanda and Bunyonyi
Bwindi impenetrable National Forest provides habitat for 120 species of mammals, 348 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos, and many endangered species. Floristically, the park is among the most diverse forests in East Africa. The park is also a sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and many birds such as horn bills and turaco.
Bwindi Forest can be accessed through Kabale town to the south-east is the nearest main town to the park, away by road. The park is composed of two blocks of forest that are connected by a corridor of forest. The shape of the park is a legacy of previous conservation management. The park is at the edge of the Western Rift Valley in the highest parts of the Kigezi Highlands, which were created by up-warping of the Western Rift Valley.
Bwindi can be accessed either by air from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip or by road from Kampala, there are scheduled flights to Kihihi which is close to the northern sector of Bwindi and also flights to Kisoro which is close to the Southern sector of Bwindi. Flights to Kisoro only leave in the morning while Kihihi has both morning and afternoon departures from Entebbe. You can also do charter flights from Kajjansi Airstrip to either Kisoro or Kihihi.
There is also a route that goes through Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kihihi and to Buhoma passing through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famed for the tree climbing lions. Sometimes this route is not favoured because of the bridge which keeps on breaking down.
Tourists or travelers planning to visit Bwindi Forest can visit all year round, although conditions in the park are more difficult during the rainy season of April, May and November. The park is in a remote location, and the roads are in poor condition. Tourist accommodations include a lodge, tented camps, and rooms run by the community located near the Buhoma entrance gate
This research has shown that the Bwindi gorilla's diet is markedly higher in fruit than that of the Virunga population, and that the Bwindi gorillas, even silver backs, are more likely to climb trees to feed on foliage, fruits, and epiphytes. In some months, the Bwindi gorilla diet is very similar to that of Bwindi chimpanzees. It was also found that Bwindi gorillas travel farther per day than Virunga gorillas, particularly on days when feeding primarily on fruit than when they are feeding on fibrous foods.
Bwindi forest is much known for budget gorilla tours in Uganda experiences and it is the park's main tourist attraction limited to only 8 tourists per particular gorilla group per day and it generates much revenue for Uganda Wildlife Authority. Tourists wishing to trek gorillas must first obtain a permit. Selected gorillas families have been habituated to human presence, and the number of visitors is completely controlled to prevent risks to the gorillas and degradation of the habitat.
The gorillas rarely react to tourists. There are strict rules for tourists to minimize the risk of diseases passing from them to the gorillas. Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the only countries where it is possible to visit mountain gorillas. Guided walks through the forest include a walk to a waterfall, and walks for monkey watching and birding.
Besides trekking mountain gorillas, the Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced Gorilla Habituation Experience only done in Uganda. This experience allows you to be with a mountain gorilla family for 4 hours on a Gorilla Habituation Experience along with researchers and scientists and the trackers only in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. There are presently two family groups being habituated that meaning that they becoming used to human contact and will not run away from visitors trekking them.
Although Bwindi Impenetrable Park is best known for gorilla trekking, there are other fun activities and attractions to be enjoyed during a visit to the park. Guided forest walks, birding and other primates viewing, there are also the interesting activity of the Batwa people whereby recently the Batwa cultural experience was introduced.
Buhoma village walk; this is offered by the Buhoma Community Rest Camp, these popular three- to four-hour walks head to the surrounding countryside to visit local healers, watch a Twa song-and-dance show, and witness the none-too-appetizing production of banana wine and gin (the bananas are mashed by foot).
Bwindi community hospital; for something a bit different, you can head to this well-run hospital for a behind-the-scenes look into the workings of a rural African hospital. You'll tour its various wards (while assuring patient privacy) and be educated on health issues faced by locals. Donations are appreciated. Check online for volunteering options. It's around 7km from Buhoma's trail head.
Nkuringo community walk; similar cultural tours as in Buhoma, but in Nkuringo in the park’s far southwestern corner. The walks start at the Nkuringo Community Development Foundation office across from the park office.
Nyundo community Eco- trails; Based at Buhoma, this group offers a wide variety of village walks including several with a farming focus and others that visit caves and waterfalls. Traditional dances can also be arranged.
Bird watching is another great activity to enjoy on your trip to Bwindi. The park boasts of about 350 bird species including 23 endemics (90% of all Albertine Rift endemics) such as the Short-tailed Warbler and Blue-headed Sunbird as well as seven IUCN red data listed species. Easy to see are the African Emerald Cuckoo, Common Bulbul, African Blue and White-tailed Blue Flycatchers and Red-headed Blue bill. Birding takes place along the main trail, the Buhoma Waterfall Trail and along the bamboo
Mountain biking follows a well-maintained trail from the park headquarters at Buhoma to the Ivi River. Along this 13km trail you may see wildlife such as bush bucks, black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkeys. The six-seven hour round trip departs in the morning, and is organized by Buhoma Community Rest Camp under the “Ride for a Woman “community development initiative.
There are six main nature trails in Buhoma for those who wish to explore the “impenetrable forest”: these include Muyanga Waterfall Walk, Rushura Hill Walk, Muzabajiro the Ivi River Walk, the Buhoma - Nkuringo Trail, the Habinyanja (Raleigh) Trail. The Buhoma forest walks cost $30 per person and including park entrance of $40 person.