Guide to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park, home to the highest population of mountain gorillas in the world. Located in Kabale and Rubanda districts, Bwindi lies in southwestern Uganda at the edge of the albertine rift valley. The park was garzetted in 1991 but open for tourism in 1993 spreading over 321 square kilometers over kigezi highlands. The park is mainly covered by the impenetrable montane and lowland forest, which provides habitat to the endangered gorillas, birds and other primates. In 1994, UNESCO included Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park on its list of world heritage sites due to its rich diversity. Besides gorillas, Bwindi forest shelters over 350 birds, 127 species of frogs, 120 mammals, 163 tree species and many others.
Our gorilla trekking tours start from 1 Days Bwindi gorilla treks which starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda Gorilla habituation experience Bwindi Forest Park is also a Centre for the experimental mountain gorilla habituation experience, which allow travelers four hours with the wild gorillas. Gorilla habituation is a 2-3 years process of training wild gorillas to familiarize them with people. The experience is only done in Rushaga sector in the southern region of Bwindi forest and two gorilla families (Bushaho and Bikyingi) are undergoing habituation. Gorilla habituation is the first process that all g mountain gorillas go through before they open to travelers for trekking. The experience costs $1500 for four hour’s interaction with gorillas. Interestingly the experience is experimental in that travelers take part in the actual habituation along side gorilla doctors, researchers and conservationists. Bird watching Go bird watching to explore different bird species in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with Lets Go Tours Rwanda. The park is home to over 350 bird species 23 of which are endemic to the Albertine region. Bwindi forest is one of the Important Birding areas in Uganda, which offer travelers with magical birding experiences! Some notable birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park include Giant Kingfisher, African green pigeon, Crowned Hornbill, African Harrier Hawk, Cinnamon Chested bee eater, Mountain masked apalis, Black billed turaco, African Broadbill, Western green tinker bird, Handsome francolin, Yellow streaked greenbul, Neumann’s warbler, Yellow streaked greenbul, Handsome Francolin and Shelley’s crimson wing. March and September is the best time for bird watching in Bwindi Forest while November to April is the best time to see migratory birds. Batwa community tours Do not miss visiting batwa local communities for a cultural experience. Batwa pygmies are traditional forest dwellers who lived with gorillas and other wild animals in the jungle for thousands of years before the introduction of gorilla tourism. These short people will take you through their initial forest activities such as fruit gathering, hunting and collecting honey. Batwa traditional dances are also performed to entertain and introduce you to the area. Enjoy an encounter with the forest people, learn about their traditional norms, customs, cultures and beliefs which distinguish them from other tribes in Uganda. A visit to batwa people is an indirect support for these poor people who fully depended on the forest and its resources.
Nature/forest walks Be part of guided forest/nature walks to enjoy the natural beauty of Bwindi impenetrable Forest National park. The walking trails in this forest take you to discover the hidden gem in this jungle such as waterfalls, caves, and streams. Nature/forest walking also offer you a fresh feeling of the undisturbed environment as you enjoy the sweet melodies of birds singing above you in the trees. You will also encounter a variety of wild and ground animals, which live in Bwindi Forest on your nature walk. Local guides will show you a variety of local hers used to sure different illnesses What to pack to Bwindi forest Almost all activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park are not a walk away. The trek to see gorillas, looking for birds, habituation experience and a nature walk through the impenetrable Forest National Park require you have the best packing list. Some of the things you should pack to Bwindi forest include hiking boots/shoes, gardening gloves scarf, rain jackets, sun glasses, hat, insect repellants, long sleeved shirts, long pants and warm sweaters among others. These ease your experiences in Bwindi Forest Accommodation in Bwindi Forest National park Are you wondering on where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park? No worries, Lets Go Tours Rwanda brings you a full list of top lodges and camps in Bwindi Forest National park. Depending on which gorilla region you are visiting in Bwindi, there are best lodes or you to stay. Some of the recommended places to stay in Bwindi forest include Buhoma Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Agandi Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Chameleon Hills Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Buhoma community camp, clouds mountain gorillas lodge and Silverback Gorilla Lodge among others. Lodge services and costs are categorized as budget, midrange and luxury to suit all kinds f travelers. You are assured of excellent services, safety and comfort at any lodge you book in Bwindi Forest. In general, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park offers you magical experiences. Come and lets explore the beauty of this natural forest.”>Lets Go Tours Rwanda
gives you information about Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park, attractions, activities, best time to visit and what to pack among other info you may need on your Uganda safari to Bwindi.
Attractions and activities
Travelers to this enormous forest are assured of an everlasting experience. There are lots of interesting things to see and do in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Mountain gorilla trekking
As mentioned earlier, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park is home to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world. Half of the world’s total gorilla population resides in Bwindi forest, which make it a prime gorilla trekking destination in the world. Over 90% of all travelers to Bwindi Forest come to visit the endangered gorillas. You can choose to trek any one of the 17 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park for a close encounter with man’s close relatives in their natural habitats. Gorillas in Bwindi are split into four regions (Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija) regions, which make up this impenetrable forest. Gorilla groups in Bwindi include Mubare the oldest gorilla family in Bwindi Forest, Rushegura, Habinyanja, Kyaguliro, Muyambi, Katwe, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Mukiza, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye, Christmas, Kutu, Mucunguzi, and Rwigi gorilla families. Trekking with any gorilla family is an experience of its own kind. Each gorilla family is different in its won kind in terms of location, size, social behaviors and history of its formation. A valid mountain gorilla permit is a must have for anyone visiting Bwindi Forest for gorilla trekking. Each gorilla pass to Bwindi costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. Gorilla trekking allows you an hour with gorillas to learn and experience their humanly characters which make them unique creatures. Our gorilla trekking tours start from 1 Days Bwindi gorilla treks which starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda
Gorilla habituation experience
Bwindi Forest Park is also a Centre for the experimental mountain gorilla habituation experience, which allow travelers four hours with the wild gorillas. Gorilla habituation is a 2-3 years process of training wild gorillas to familiarize them with people. The experience is only done in Rushaga sector in the southern region of Bwindi forest and two gorilla families (Bushaho and Bikyingi) are undergoing habituation. Gorilla habituation is the first process that all g mountain gorillas go through before they open to travelers for trekking. The experience costs $1500 for four hour’s interaction with gorillas. Interestingly the experience is experimental in that travelers take part in the actual habituation along side gorilla doctors, researchers and conservationists.
Bird watching
Go bird watching to explore different bird species in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with Lets Go Tours Rwanda. The park is home to over 350 bird species 23 of which are endemic to the Albertine region. Bwindi forest is one of the Important Birding areas in Uganda, which offer travelers with magical birding experiences! Some notable birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park include Giant Kingfisher, African green pigeon, Crowned Hornbill, African Harrier Hawk, Cinnamon Chested bee eater, Mountain masked apalis, Black billed turaco, African Broadbill, Western green tinker bird, Handsome francolin, Yellow streaked greenbul, Neumann’s warbler, Yellow streaked greenbul, Handsome Francolin and Shelley’s crimson wing. March and September is the best time for bird watching in Bwindi Forest while November to April is the best time to see migratory birds.
Batwa community tours
Do not miss visiting batwa local communities for a cultural experience. Batwa pygmies are traditional forest dwellers who lived with gorillas and other wild animals in the jungle for thousands of years before the introduction of gorilla tourism. These short people will take you through their initial forest activities such as fruit gathering, hunting and collecting honey. Batwa traditional dances are also performed to entertain and introduce you to the area. Enjoy an encounter with the forest people, learn about their traditional norms, customs, cultures and beliefs which distinguish them from other tribes in Uganda. A visit to batwa people is an indirect support for these poor people who fully depended on the forest and its resources.
Nature/forest walks
Be part of guided forest/nature walks to enjoy the natural beauty of Bwindi impenetrable Forest National park. The walking trails in this forest take you to discover the hidden gem in this jungle such as waterfalls, caves, and streams. Nature/forest walking also offer you a fresh feeling of the undisturbed environment as you enjoy the sweet melodies of birds singing above you in the trees. You will also encounter a variety of wild and ground animals, which live in Bwindi Forest on your nature walk. Local guides will show you a variety of local hers used to sure different illnesses
What to pack to Bwindi forest
Almost all activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park are not a walk away. The trek to see gorillas, looking for birds, habituation experience and a nature walk through the impenetrable Forest National Park require you have the best packing list. Some of the things you should pack to Bwindi forest include hiking boots/shoes, gardening gloves scarf, rain jackets, sun glasses, hat, insect repellants, long sleeved shirts, long pants and warm sweaters among others. These ease your experiences in Bwindi Forest
Accommodation in Bwindi Forest National park
Are you wondering on where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park? No worries, Lets Go Tours Rwanda brings you a full list of top lodges and camps in Bwindi Forest National park. Depending on which gorilla region you are visiting in Bwindi, there are best lodes or you to stay. Some of the recommended places to stay in Bwindi forest include Buhoma Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Agandi Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Chameleon Hills Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Buhoma community camp, clouds mountain gorillas lodge and Silverback Gorilla Lodge among others. Lodge services and costs are categorized as budget, midrange and luxury to suit all kinds f travelers. You are assured of excellent services, safety and comfort at any lodge you book in Bwindi Forest.
In general, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park offers you magical experiences. Come and lets explore the beauty of this natural forest.
