Thrilling 7 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Activities; Prices, Best time & Hotels
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park activities range from the famous gorilla trekking, Gorilla habituation, birding, cultural encounters, cycling, hiking, and canoeing, to thrilling nature walks ensuring that it has something interesting for everyone.
Declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1994 because of its Remarkable biodiversity, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is nestled in Kanungu district, southwestern regions of Uganda, approximately a nine to ten-hour drive from Kampala city via the Kabale- Mbarara Highway.
The park occupies an area of 331 square kilometers that is featured with thick impenetrable foliage, varied terrains that are quite rugged and steep, a misty atmosphere, and an incredible biodiversity.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to over 340 bird species, 120 mammal species namely the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, blue monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys, forest elephants, bushbucks, duikers, and rodents, African golden cats, serval, and genets, among others making a prime destination for Uganda wildlife Safaris.
Bwindi forest has over 220 butterfly species, 160 tree species, 100 ferns, and a variety of different flowering plants.
Bwindi forest has an exceptional drainage system which has contributed to its rich biodiversity. It is crisscrossed by numerous streams and rivers like the Rukiga River, Ihihizo, Ishasha, Ivi, Munyaga, and Ntengyere which all flow into different water bodies in the neighborhood such as Lake Mutanda, and Lake Bunyonyi.
Because of its dense vegetation, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park experiences a tropical rainforest climate which is characterized by unexpected rainfalls, high humidity, and mild temperatures.
Its mountainous kind of nature with elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 meters (3,800 to 8,550 feet) above sea level makes it have temperatures usually ranging from about 7°C (45°F) to 20°C (68°F).
The high altitudes that come with frequent rainfalls make Bwindi forest have a cloud cover and mist most especially in the morning and evening which makes it have a high humidity reaching up to 80% and more.
The park entry fees to Bwindi impenetrable national park are USD 40 for adult Foreign Non-Residents and USD for children, USD 30 for adult Foreign Residents and USD for children, and UGX 20,000 for East African Citizens.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Activities and their Prices 2024
Gorilla tracking: This is the key attraction in Bwindi’s impenetrable national park topping the to-do list of travelers to this destination. The park holds half of the endangered mountain gorillas left in the world making it a prime destination for gorilla trekking adventurous activities. It holds 14 gorilla families found in its different sectors namely Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija.
A gorilla tracking at Bwindi starts as early as 8:00 am with a simple briefing from an experienced and knowledgeable guide at the park headquarters about the safety rules and guidelines while in the gorilla habitats.
After trekkers are divided into manageable groups of 8 individuals for an immersive experience. Each group is accompanied by an experienced guide for an informative and enjoyable experience, an armed ranger to ensure safety, and a porter to help carry the tracking gear.
A simple gorilla trek takes about 3 to 4 hours inclusive of the standard 1 hour of observation of the fascinating gorillas in their natural habitats.
While in the habitats, trekkers are advised to adhere to the gorilla trekking rules and guides to ensure their safety and the well-being of the endangered mountain gorillas.
As of 2024, a gorilla trekking permit allowing you access to the natural gorilla habitats of Bwindi Impenetrable National park to encountered these majestic fascinating apes costs USD 800 per individual.
Gorilla Habituation Experience: BINP is the only gorilla park in the world offering gorilla habituation experience, a unique thrilling experience allowing adventurers much time of 4 hours of observations of the fascinating gorillas instead of the 1 hour of the gorilla trekking experience.
This was introduced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in 2014 to enable gorillas to get used to human presence and to offer gorilla enthusiasts an immersive experience drawing them close to the life of the gorillas.
This is an educational experience as it is offered in the presence of different primate Reachers offering visitors deep insights into the lives of mountain gorillas.
The researchers offer vital knowledge about the endangered gorillas and are open to any questions from the observers.
Gorilla trekking in the Bwindi forest is only conducted in the southern regions of the park in the Rushaga sector because it comprises of much gorilla groups compared to other sectors.
Rushaga sector comprises at least 8 gorilla groups namely Nshongi, Bweza, Busingye, Mucunguzi, Kahungye, Nshongi, Ruhija, and Buhoma Group with each comprising at least 10 individual gorillas.
Just like gorilla trekking, a gorilla habituation experience starts with a simple briefing about the safety rules and guidelines to adhere to while in gorilla habitats.
Trekkers are divided into much smaller groups of 4 individuals who are accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable guide, an armed ranger, portables, and researchers for an immersive experience.
As of 2024, a gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi gorilla natural habitats costs USD 1,500 per individual.
Birdwatching: Bwindi forest is home to a diverse of bird species making it a prime destination for birding in Uganda. The park is documented to hold over 340 bird species inclusive of the rare species which are endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Birding is best done through guided nature walks led by an experienced birding guide who is well versed with the trail network of the park leading to different bird habitats.
The best trails featuring a variety of different bird species in the park include the River Ivi trail, the Munyaga River trail, Ruhija’s bamboo trail, and the Mubwindi Swamp trail.
Some of the bird species spotted along these trails include barred long-tailed cuckoos, bar-tailed trogon, Archer’s Robin-Chat, African Wood Owl, African Green Broadbill, Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls, yellow-whiskered greenbuls, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, White-tailed fly-catcher, White-tailed Blue Monarch, white-tailed blue flycatcher, White-browed Crombec, White-bellied Robin-Chat, white-tailed blue monarch, Handsome Francolin, Gruel’s Rush Warbler, Green Tinkerbird, Grauer’s broadbill, Frazer’s eagle owl, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Elliot’s woodpecker, Dusky crimson honey guide,
, Collared Apalis, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Western Green Tinkerbird, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, strange weaver, Short-tailed Warbler, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Ruwenzori Batis, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Red-throated Alethe, red-tailed bulbul, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Purple-breasted, Mountain masked Apalis, Chestnut –throated Apalises.
As of 2024, a birding permit to Bwindi forests costs USD 40 for foreign nonresidents, USD 30 for foreign residents, and UGX 30,000 for East African Residents.
Birding permits can be acquired directly from the Uganda wildlife offices or through a licensed tour operator.
Nature Walks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is featured with different trails leading to different sections of the park offering rich views of its ecosystem from different angles.
These are well-maintained trails created to offer visitors up close to the diverse ecosystem of the park. While on the trail, you catch a glimpse of different wildlife animals such as birds, butterflies, primates, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, cats, squirrels, bushbacks, antelopes, among others, and different plant species.
The major trails in the park take you from one sector of the park to another for example from Buhoma to Nkoringo, from Nkoringo to Lake Mutanda. Nkoringo trail can also go up to Kisoro.
These come with different distances and terrains hence demanding different levels of fitness. They well well outlined which makes navigating through them easy.
The hiker has to be well prepared for the best experience. He or she is advised to carry a bottle of flesh drinking water, energy snacks, and rain gear just in case. Light clothes, hiking poles, sun creams, and glasses, Sturdy hiking boots, and rain gear are recommended for an enjoyable experience.
Visiting the Pygmies: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers its visitors a unique opportunity to encounter and interact with the Batwa people in Uganda, living just adjacent to the park.
The Batwa pygmies were the first inhabitants of the Bwindi forest and are believed to have thrived inside it for over 5000 years but were driven out because of the conservation efforts aimed at protecting the endangered mountain gorillas and other wildlife in it and allocated to areas outside it.
A visit to the batwa pygmy people offers deep insights into their daily life activities, you get to know how they managed to survive inside the thick forest.
How they used to cure themselves using the forest materials, and how they gathered food, honey, and meat. While their, you also get a chance to enjoy their traditional performances which includes music, dance, and poems.
Visiting the batwa pygmies of Bwindi is conducted just like any other adventurous activity in the park, starting with a simple briefing on what to expect and then led by a local guide to their homesteads.
As of 2024, the Batwa cultural experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs 40 USD per individual for foreign residents and 40,000 UGX per individual for East African citizens.
Canoeing: This is done on Lake Mutanda offering visitors stunning views of wildlife and the surrounding areas. While canoeing, you get a chance to see different wading birds and wild animals, both small and large cooling off or resting by the lake shores. You will also encounter different fishermen and other people fetching or washing by the shires.
Mountain Biking: Some visitors to Bwindi prefer biking through the park to nature walks. Bwindi management ensures that it caters to various needs and preferences of visitors to the park ensuring that everyone leaves the park fully satisfied.
The park management helps visitors interested in cycling through the park by hiring mountain bikes to cater to their adventurous cycling through the park.
Some lodges as well around the park, specifically Buhoma Lodge offer their visitors bikes at a favorable cost to bike through different areas around the park.
When is the Best Time to Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Although Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is for outdoor adventurous activities all year round, the best time to visit it is during the dry months ranging from June to August and from December to February. These are characterized little or no rainfall at all compared to other months of frequent and heavy rainfalls.
These months come with vibrant wildlife habitats featured with passable trails and less vegetation offering clear views of the wild animals residing in the park.
These months are considered to be the peak travel seasons as they are featured with big numbers of tourists most especially in iconic tourist destination inclusive of the Bwindi making it excellent months to travelers who would wish to engage with fellow visitors from different parts of the world.
For a traveler to visit Bwindi for example for gorilla trekking adventurous activities during these dry months, he/she must have booked her gorilla permits in advance as they are always in high demands and easily get sold out during this season.
However, some visitors to Bwindi prefer visiting during the wet months which range from March to April and September to November because of the numerous benefits that come with them.
These are considered the low peak travel seasons hence coming with less traffic making them a good choice for those travelers who prefer it less crowded for an immersive experience.
They are good months for budget-conscious travelers as they come with potential discounts on accommodation, car rental and park entry fees and permits.
But whether you are traveling the peak travel seasons or low seasons, a gorilla trekking permit should to Bwindi forest should always be booked in advance as it is limited and can easily get sold out no matter the season due to high demands.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Hotels
There are a variety of Hotels to hold travelers in comfort during their Bwindi adventurous activities located both within and outside of the park allowing convenient access to the Park’s adventurous activities.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lodges range from budget to luxury catering to all traveler’s needs and preferences. Bwindi is made up of different sectors and it’s important for a traveler to book accommodation depending on the sector he/she wants to enjoy adventurous activities.
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Hotels and camps include;
- The Gorilla Resort
- Ruhija Gorilla Lodge
- Gorilla Forest Camp
- Buhoma Lodge
- Chameleon Hill lodge
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Engagi Lodge
- Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
- Buhomo Community Rest Camp
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
- Mutanda Lake Resort
- Bwindi Jungle View Lodge
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Broadbill Forest Camp