Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda
Bwindi Forest National Park is situated in the South western Park of Uganda covering an area of 331 square kilometres (128 sq mi) along the edges of Democratic Republic of Congo near Virunga National Park. Bwindi Forest National Park is prominently know to offers amazing Gorilla Trekking Tours to all travelers from all over the world interested in watching the great Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat. Other than the Mountain Gorillas the park inhabits 348 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies, 120 species of mammals, 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 Mountain Gorillas in the Park are distributed into four various sectors i.e the Buhoma Sector, Rushaga Sector, Ruhija Sector and Nkuringo Sector.
Sectors | Gorillas | Gorillas | Gorillas | Gorillas | Gorillas |
Buhoma Sector | Mubare Group | Rushegura Group | Habinyanja Group | ||
Rushaga sector | Nshongi Group | Mishaya Group | Kahungye Group | Busingye Group | Bweza Group |
Ruhija Sector | Bitukura Group | Kyaguliro Group | Oruzogo Group | ||
Nkuringo Sector | Nkuringo Gorilla Group |
Activities at the Park
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking is the most prominent safari activity carried out in Bwindi Forest National Park and includes transferring with a valid Gorilla Trekking Permit (US $700 per person) to the Park headquarters for briefing on the code of conduct around the Mountain Gorillas then later in groups of 8 with a park ranger, enter the forest to track the Gorillas for 3-5 hours and when you meet them, an hour is allowed in their presence taking various photos to keep for memories. After Gorilla Trekking, proceed to the Park headquarters for your Gorilla Trekking Certificate.
Bird Watching
Bird watching is also a very exceptional safari activity to carry out in the park as you watch various bird species flying around the Park. The Birds you watch include; Kivu Ground Thrush, honey guide, Dusky Crimson, Bar-Tailed Trogon, the wing warbler, short tailed warbler, Yellow Eyed Black Fly Catcher, Rust Faced Woodland Gruel’s Rush warbler, African Emerald cuckoo, Dark Caped Bulbul, White Tailed Blue Fly Catchers, Red Headed Blue-Bill.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Gorilla Habituation Experience at Bwindi Forest National Park is also exceptional at Rushaga Sector where you stay in the presence of Mountain Gorillas for 4 hours. You must transfer with a valid Gorilla Trekking Permit for Habituation at US $1500 per person. The Gorilla Families you watch are Bikingi Gorilla Group and Bushasho Gorilla Group and these offer you exceptional safari adventures as you view them throughout their daily activities from the time they wake up, forage, breast feed, nurture.
Cultural Encounters
Cultural encounters are also exceptional in Bwindi Forest National Park as you explore the local Batwa People who take you through their way of life as well as survival. They perform Music, Dance and Drama through various performances
Hiking and Nature Walks
Bwindi Forest National Park is a very ideal hiking and Nature Walk destination as you proceed on guided nature walk along the Nkuringo Trail then to Lake Mutanda and Kisoro Town. The other trails in the Park include; those in Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga and en-route you watch species of birds, villages.
Biking/ Cycling
Biking/ Cycling in Bwindi Forest National Park is exceptional along various trails with the prominent one being the Ivy River Trail for 3 hours in company of an experienced guide who informs you about the thick green forest habitat.