Bwindi Forest, together with its mountain gorillas is Uganda’s most selling tourist product. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to half of the world’s population of critically endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994.
The park lies in the south-western Uganda on the Edge of the Rift Valley. Bwindi’s mist-covered hillsides are blanked by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rain forests, which dates back over 25,000 year. Bwindi Forest is one of the largest areas in East Africa which still has Afromontane lowland forest extending to well within the montane forest belt.
The forest is located in the mountains of Uganda; this dense tangle of trees is home to many species including about half of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas. It is estimated that fewer than 900 mountain gorillas exist in the world. Catching a glimpse of these rare, endangered great apes in their natural habitat is an awe-inspiring experience.
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
14 habituated mountain gorilla groups are open to tourism in four different sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and the Nkuringo all under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. All four sectors offer similar opportunities to see the gorillas.
Gorilla Permits must be obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) office in Kampala at the price of $700 USD for foreign nationals, $600 for foreign residents, and 250,000 UGX for East African communities. Rates include, guide fee, park entrance fees for the day and community development contribution.
If you are going for a gorilla trekking tour, be sure to bring a sweater, at least 2.5 litres of water, long-sleeved shirt and trousers, a hat, rain jacket and hiking boots. The tracking takes you through the dense rain-forest, where you go up and down steep hills, often with no visible path.
If it rains, it can be extremely muddy and if its dry and the sun is out, you will need a lot of water, Bring insect repellent for the mosquitoes and other insects. In this case, visitors have the opportunity to hike and explore the forest to spend some quality face time with these beautiful creatures.
Tracking can take from anywhere between 30 minutes to a full day, depending on where the gorillas are located. They move often and far, one group of tourists can be back at UWA head office within two hours on one day, while they next day, tracing same group of gorillas can keep you walking until evening.
There is no way to say how easy or difficult it will be because paths can be so steep, you have to hold on to bushes and grass to prevent you from slipping and climbing a hill can require hands and feet.
Gorilla trekking registration starts at 7:30 am; briefing is at 8:30 am. The trackers leave before and communicate with your guides to let them know if and where they have found the gorillas. These organizations hire trained gorilla’s trackers to spend their days finding and staying with the gorilla families.
In this way, the trackers are able to study the gorillas’ behaviour, condition them to see humans as a non-threat, and protect them from poachers. As you trek to find the gorillas, you have a maximum of 1 hour to observe and watch the gorillas carry out their daily activities and it is not always possible to get this close, you should keep a distance of 7 meters and you can bring a camera that can zoom well and remember the use of flash is not allowed.
Considering the terrain, if you think you are going to struggle it is strongly advised you hire a porter at $15per person who can carry you day pack and lend a hand getting up and down the hills. Walking sticks are also a very good idea and are provided by UWA.
Should you be ill or have a cold, you will not be allowed participate in gorilla trekking, since gorillas are genetically so close to humans, they are susceptible to many of the same diseases. As there are only about 900 mountain gorillas left in the world, their safety comes first.
All the profits from a gorilla trek go into further research and conservation efforts. Not only will you find yourself standing a few feet away from a wild gorilla, but you will witness the beauty that lives within the Ugandan villages surrounding them.
Even if you cannot afford gorilla trekking permit, Bwindi is a rewarding forest to visit just for a chance to explore the lush rain-forests. There are six main trails in Buhoma for those who wish to explore the impenetrable forest. Munyaga water walk departs from Buhoma along the river Ivi- Nkuringo trail and culminates in the sensational sight of the falls plummeting 33 meters.
Rushura Hill Walk passes through one forest shared by two countries. On a clear day you can view Lakes Edward and George and the Rwenzori Mountains as well as the conical peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes. Muzubijiro Loop is a 6km walk around a hill, where you will encounter primates and birds and enjoy a view of the Virunga’s.
The Ivi River Walk is 14km and takes around seven hours. The trail passes a place known as Mukempunu meaning “a place of pigs” where wild pigs can often be found.
The Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail takes three to four hours, and crosses right through the park, connecting the two villages and offering impressive views of the misty hillsides as you ascend the hills towards Nkuringo. You can leave our luggage with your driver, who will meet you at the other side. This trail can also be completed as part of the Ivi River Walk.
The Habinyanja (Railegh) Trail takes 4-6hrs. After crossing the Munyaga River, it takes in a fairly steep ascent of the Habigorogoro and Riyovi Ridge overlooking Buhoma River. Found along this trail is the legendry “African Corner” named after a rock piece depicting a map of Africa.
Following the steep ascent, keen hikers can enjoy a more relaxed gentle slope to the mighty Habinyanja swamp. Birders on this trail should watch out for the Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Black Duck and Black Bee Eaters, among others.
