List of activities to do in Bwindi 2024 : Bwindi national park is located in south western Uganda and among the destinations where mountain gorillas can be seen in their natural habitat.
The national park is home to over 450 mountain gorillas which can be seen in the dense forests of Bwindi. Tourists can also explore the sector of Bwindi national park during the search for gorillas and these sectors include Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector, Ruhija sector and Rushaga sector.
About 21 habituated gorilla families can be visited during gorilla tours around Bwindi national park and they include Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Habiyanja, Rushegura, Mubare, Katwe, Muyambi, Bitukura, Kyaguliro, Mukiza, Bushaho, Nshongi, Bikingi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye, among others.
Some of the activities to do around Bwindi national park include the following;
- Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park is a popular activity which costs 700 USD per person for a gorilla permit and the activity be done during tour around Uganda. A limited number of permits are issued daily for the gorilla trekking experience.
The gorillas in Bwindi national park are one of the main attractions at the destination which brings tourists from all around the world to Uganda. The mountain gorillas can be seen during gorilla trekking experiences that provide visitors with the opportunity to observe the gorillas in their natural habitat.
Tourists in groups of 8 participate in the gorilla trekking experience which allows them to spend 1 hour observing the gorillas of Bwindi national park. This activity is done by individuals above the age of 15 years. Habituated gorilla groups of Bwindi national park are visited during the gorilla treks.
During gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi national park, tourists are led by trained ranger guides and can also be accompanied by porters at a small fee while searching for the gorillas. Porters and guides play an important role in the success of the gorilla treks at the destination ensure safety of both the tourists and the gorillas.
In Uganda, gorilla trekking can also be done in Mgahinga national park while in Rwanda the activity takes place in Volcanoes national park and in Democratic Republic of Congo, gorilla tours are done in Virunga national park.
- Gorilla habituation
Gorilla habituation is another activity which is carried out around Bwindi national park and this experience involves visiting wild gorillas and gradually getting them accustomed to the presence of humans in their natural habitat.
A permit for gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park costs 1500 USD per person and this activity is done for purposes of tourism and also to research about the gorillas and their behaviors in preparation for gorilla trekking experiences.
During the gorilla habituation experience, tourists are accompanied by rangers as well as trackers and researchers to look for the gorillas. Gorilla habituation takes about 4 hours which means tours spend an extended amount of time with a specific gorilla group to make them familiar with human presence.
When visiting Bwindi national park for gorilla habituation experiences, the activity can be done in Rushaga sector found in the southern part of the national park. The process of habituation of the gorillas is gradual and can go on for about 2 years to complete habituation of a particular gorilla group.
The gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also very important because it promotes conservation and also contributes to the protection of mountain gorillas while promoting sustainable ecotourism.
- Guided nature walks
Guided nature walks in Bwindi national park is an activity which brings tourists closer to the surroundings of the park and is a way to explore its dense forest and attractions around the destination.
During guided nature walks around the national park, tourists are led by experienced rangers who are knowledgeable about the flora and fauna in the national park. Different trails are followed during this activity and they include Muyangwa waterfall trail in Buhoma sector, Muzubijiro loop trail, Rushura hill walk, Buhoma-Nkuringo trail, Ivi river trail and Habinyanja trail.
- Hiking
Hiking in Bwindi national park can be done as part of the gorilla trekking experience or as an independent activity when visiting the park.
Bwindi national park is at an altitude ranging from 1160 meters to 2607meters and is surrounded by dense forests. The hikes around the park are done with ranger guides and trekking following trails around the steep slopes of Bwindi National Park.
This activity is best done during the dry season when the trails followed during the hikes are not slippery like in the rainy season in Bwindi national park. The dry season occurs from June to September and also around December to February. It is also important for tourists to prepare for rains eve during the dry season when exploring the Bwindi forests.
- Bird watching
Bwindi national park is part of the destinations in Uganda where bird watching is carried out during the year.
There are different bird species found in Bwindi national park which is home to over 350 bird species. Some of the bird species include Pink backed Pelican, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, Black Headed Heron, Marabou Stork, Hadada Ibis, Northern Pin tail, African Fish Eagle, Long crested eagle, Scaly Francolin, Ross’s Turaco, Black Swift, Malachite Kingfisher, Crowned Hornbill, Grey Throated Barbet, Dwarf Honey guide, Olive woodpecker, African Pitta, Red Rumped Swallow, African Pied Wagtail, Plain Backed Pipit, Little Greenbul among others.
- Batwa community tours
Batwa community tours around Bwindi national park involve cultural immersion and firsthand experience of the way of life of the locals.
Tourists during the Batwa community tours which can be done before or after gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park can engage in activities such as traditional music and dance performances, storytelling, and learning about the traditional medicinal plants used by the Batwa.
Cultural tours also give insight into the customs and beliefs of the Batwa while also experiencing their daily life. The cost of this activity is about 30 to 40 USD per person and is a memorable experience to take part in.
