Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest is situated in south western Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable forest is one the testament to Africa’s rich biodiversity, Bwindi impenetrable forest it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its one among the four places in East Africa, Africa, world and on the planet Earth where you can see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The exuberant rainforest, be filled with life, is home to approximately half of the remaining mountain gorillas population in the world, making it an exceptional destination for gorilla trekking fanatic.
Bwindi gorillas trekking adventure is eye-opening experience, offering you a cherished encounter with these gentle giants amidst a backdrop of shaking flora and fauna. The parks pitted terrain, the mist-clouded valley, and diverse wildlife creates an unforgettable setting for this unique wildlife encounter.
Why You Should Go To Bwindi Impenetrable Forest For Gorilla Trekking.
The Bwindi impenetrable forest provides a truly forests creatures (primates), wild and immersive experience. The parks rocky terrains, exuberant vegetation, and diverse wildlife create an ideal habitat for mountain gorillas, making top quality and the highest quality destination for gorilla trekking in Uganda. With several habituated gorilla families, as your chances of a successful trekking are very high. Here are the several gripping reasons why you should choose to go Bwindi impenetrable forest for gorilla trekking experience:
Unrivalled Gorilla Encounter; Bwindi impenetrable forest is a home to over 25 habituated gorilla Families, offering you more trekking options, this is giving you 100% higher chances of successful encounters than other parks where these creatures are encountered. With four well defined trekking sectors { Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo}, as the Bwindi has sectors and also sectors having gorilla families; Buhoma sector having (Rushagura, Mubale, Muyambi, Katwe, Habinyanja and Binyindo), Ruhija sector having (Oruzogo, Kyaguliro A, Mukiza, Kyaguliro B, & Bitukura), Rushaga sector having (Nshongi, Bweza, Kahungye, Busingye, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, Bikingi, Kutu, Rwigi, & Tindatine), Nkuringo sector having (Christmas, Muhozi, Nkuringo & Posho), where you can tailor your experience to your preferences.
Exclusive Habituation Experience; Bwindi impenetrable forest is the only place in the whole world where you can participate in Gorilla Habituation Experience. This unique program allows you to spend four hours time with the gorilla family than normal trekking where you spend one hour with gorilla family in their natural habitat as they become habitual to human appearance, this gives you a great opportunity of offering deeper understanding of their behavior.
Attractive Hiking Trails; not only gorilla trekking, Bwindi impenetrable forest boasts a network of attractive trails; trek through the diverse landscapes admires exuberant vegetation and discover the hidden waterfalls in the forest.
Uncontrollable Cultural Immersion; the mountainous villages surrounding Bwindi impenetrable forest offers you fanatic cultural experience. Visit the local communities around Bwindi most especially the Batwa pygmy, learn their traditions and support their livelihood through responsible tourism.
Cost effective; compared to any other gorilla trekking destinations, gorilla trekking in uganda offers you a fear, budget and friendly prices for gorilla permits according to other places where gorilla are trekked and accommodations, making it reachable to a wider range of travelers. Bwindi gorilla permit costs USD800 per person for foreign non-residents, USD700 per person for foreign residents, USD500 per person for African citizens and East African nationality UGX350, 000 per person. The cost of Bwindi gorilla habituation permit is on USD1500 per person.
Biodiversity; Bwindi impenetrable forest extends far beyond gorillas, the park is home to abundant of wildlife, such as chimpanzees, monkey species like black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkey, red tailed monkeys, baboons, forest elephants, forest giant hog, duiker and bird species like Rwenzori Toraco, Rwenzori batis, bush shrike, black billed Toraco, mountain oriole, black bee-eater, crown capped wear among others.
Experience Gorillas In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Your gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi begins in the morning with a briefing at the park trail head, here, you’ll be given or assigned the gorilla family and you will be briefed about that gorilla family you a going to trek even you will thought about the Dos and Don’ts when you are in trail and with the gorillas by the experienced rangers guides and you will be asked for potters in case you need some help during trekking as you going to navigate the vegetations.
The trek itself is an exhilarating journey into the misty jungle of Bwindi forest, depending on the location of gorilla family you’re trekking, the trekking can last in the period of two to seven hours depending on the movement of gorillas on the previous day. This involves the navigating through dense vegetation, steeply slopes and crossing muddy trails. The terrain can be challenging but the anticipation of encountering gorillas fuels for your determination.
As you adventure deeper into the forest, your senses comes alive as you fill the sounds of birdsongs, the forest whispers, even calls from hidden animals from forest. Your guide will be sharing interesting insights about the local flora and fauna this will also adding educational aspect to your trek.
The encounter of gorilla family is a truly magical; you’ll have an hour to observe these giants in their natural habitat, observe their social interactions, playing behaviors and the gentle nature as they go their daily lives.
Remember to maintain the respectful distance from the giants that is 10meters {33feets}, keep your facemasks on because these creatures we share 96.6 DNA with human beings so is more likely to get some diseases like air born disease such as flue and cough, kindly follow the instructions from your guide, capture unforgettable moments with photos and videos for the great memories.
After your time with the giants in its habitat you will be back through the forest to starting point, carrying memories that will last with you forever in your lifetime. The physical challenge of trek is rewarded denary by the emotional connection you’ll forget with these incredible creatures.
You have to prepare for gorilla trekking; pack appropriately to make the most unforgettable Bwindi gorilla trekking experience. The following should be packed:- waterproof rain gear, hiking stick for this sometimes their improvise of it at trail head, sturdy hiking boot, a pair of gloves, face masks, drinking water and snacks, a hat, insect repellent, dress in layers to adapt with the changing temperatures.
Remember, gorilla trekking entitlement but not a right, respect the gorillas and their natural habitat and follow the park regulations, Mirama hills safaris as a tour company welcomes you to primates of uganda where you can come chimpanzees, climbing lions in Ishasha sector queen Elizabeth national park and gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest.
How to get Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Bwindi impenetrable forest can be accessible by both road and air means of transport, with optional preference and budget.
BY ROAD TRAVEL;
From Entebbe international airport, the road journey from Entebbe to Bwindi impenetrable forest takes about 9 to 10 hours, depending on road condition and traffic. Many travelers choose to use road means of transport with overnight stops at Lake Mburo national park or Lake Bunyonyi the sweet island of Africa or Kabale / Mbarara towns.
From Kigali international airport, the drive from Kigali international airport to Bwindi impenetrable forest takes about 4 to 5 hours plus the border crossing procedures. The gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest from Kigali Rwanda is popular choice for travelers who prefer less drives time, the road from Kigali is attractive and the border pass is very simple for the tourists.
Bwindi impenetrable forest can be accessible from the nearly national parks;
From Queen Elizabeth national park, is 5-6 hours or 3-4 hours drive depending the route
From Kibale forest national park, is 5-6 hours via Queen Elizabeth Ishasha sector
From Lake Mburo national park, is 4-5hours.
By Air Travel For closest International Airports,
From Entebbe international airport Uganda, this is the main entry point for the most international travelers into Uganda; you can take domestic flights or hire a car to Bwindi.
From Kigali international airport Rwanda, this is located near the Bwindi forest than Entebbe, Kigali is popular alternative for the travelers who flying from certain region, from Kigali you connect to Rwanda Uganda border by road and continue to Bwindi forest by use of road transport.
Domestic Airstrip Connecting To The Bwindi impenetrable forest;
Kihihi airstrip (KHX), Kihihi is located in northern part of Bwindi forest, the chatter plane starts from Entebbe airport or Kajansi Airfield to kihihi airstrip which is 1:50min to the Buhoma and Ruhija northern sectors of Bwindi forest Aero link offers you daily flights to kihihi depending the weather and travelers of the days.
Kisoro airstrip (KSO), Kisoro is situated in southwestern Bwindi forest, Kisoro is the closet airstrip to Bwindi forest, with the driving time approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes you would be in the southern sectors of the park that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors, Aero link uganda operates daily basis flights from Entebbe / Kajansi to Kisoro.
Whether you decided to fly or to drive to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, the journey itself is advantageous, offering you the beautiful sceneries of the Uganda’s stunning landscapes and diverse cultures.
How is The Safety of Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest?
Safety is the top and first priority for many travelers considering gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest. Rest assured the gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest is safe, with park rangers and experienced guides prioritizing well-being of visitors and gorillas safe and safest in Bwindi forest.
The following makes Bwindi safe for gorilla trekking:-
Park rangers, the armed rangers patrol the forest to ensure that the trackers and gorillas are safe they trained to deter potential any threats and to secure the environment.
Experienced guides, treks are always led by the knowledgeable guides who are trained the gorilla behaviors and safety protocols. They ensure that trekkers maintain safe distance from the gorillas and the guides they know how to respond to any situation forest.
Healthy status, before entering into the forest the trekkers are screened the illnesses such as flue and cough to prevent the transmission to the gorillas, as these creatures are closest relative to humans with 96% DNA. This protects both humans and animals.
Habituated gorilla families, the gorilla families you encountered during treks are those which is habituated, meaning they are habitual to human presence and not aggressive towards the visitors when you visit them in their natural habitat.
Group safety, trekking in groups provides an additional layer of security while in you’re in forest, as guides and rangers monitor the surroundings to ensure each and everyone’s safety.
Safety Tips for Gorilla Trekking;
Gorilla trekking permit, the gorilla permit is a great assurance that you going to trek or not, the permit is allocate you the sector and trekking date, without it, it’s impossible to trek gorillas. You can book your trip with Mirama hills safaris in adverse because gorilla trekking permit is on high demand even you can pay in installment.
Listen to Your Guide; always follow the guide’s instructions and also the park rules and regulations.
Stay healthy, if you are feeling unwell, inform your guide and post pond your trek.
Maintain Distance, leave a safe distance of 10 meters as being given or instructed by guide and keep you facemasks on when you’re with the gorillas.