Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a hot spot for many travelers to Uganda, it is one of the oldest conservation areas in Uganda and is top-visited. Of the 1000 gorilla population remaining in the world, half of them live in the Bwindi impenetrable national park, the national park was gazette as a way of protecting the critically endangered species of mountain gorillas according to the IUCN red list. The thick dense forest is undeniably amazing it is a typical montane forest that has survived over the years, The presence of the blend of features of the national park presents an opportunity to engage in tourist activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park this is done in all 4 sectors of the protected conservation area (Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija).
Gorilla trekking is the main thing to do while in Bwindi, it begins in the morning with a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority about how to conduct yourself while with the mountain gorillas, at 8:00 am East African time, an Uganda wildlife game ranger will guide you through the forest in search of the primates, it is a tiring hike but rewarding at the end of the day. It takes 2-8 hours of sometimes the whole day depending on how far the gorilla families have moved, gorillas are territorial in nature they live in families led by a male silverback, characterized by their gentleness and large fur bodies, only groups of 8 members(tourists) are allowed per gorilla family, upon finding the gorillas an hour is allowed to interact, take pictures and enjoy the wilderness. Gorilla trekking permits are purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority from your local tour operator, $800 is charged for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and 250,000 shillings are charged for East African citizens.
Gorilla habituation experience is among the major tourist activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park, it is a process of getting mountain gorillas used to human presence, an all-day engaging activity accompanied by a group of researchers and gorilla doctors, a team of only 4 tourists is allowed to participate in the habituation process per day, gorilla habituation takes place on new gorillas groups mostly in the Rushaga sector, 4 hours are permitted while with the primates, it is a recommendable activity for travelers who are researchers, scholars, and photographers. permits for this activity are charged $1,500 per person.
Batwa cultural experience, these are a group of last structured people in Uganda, they used to live in the forest amicably together with other creatures, the forest is one of the few places where thebig primates existed together(Man, gorillas, and Chimpanzee) all these have a few things in common. The tribe was however evicted from the forest as a result of conservation purposes. These have however continued living around the region passing their cultures on to generations, a Batwa community experience costs $30 per person, they will perform their traditional songs, make fire without the modern day matchbox. They will show you medicinal purposes of the forest plants, travelers are free to participate in these experiences.
Guided nature walks through the forest, are an amazing way to explore the Bwindi impenetrable national parkbeside the mountain gorilla trekking, a walk through the well-distributed trails will give you a new freshness to life, and the waterfalls with in the caves of the forest are wowing, this other side of the earth is a hidden gym of constant beauty. Walks are guided by a Uganda Wildlife Authority team guide who is always very knowledgeable about the forest plant species and mammals.
Birding in the forest is a rewarding experience, there are over 350 birds recorded here to date, and some of the species are endemics of the Albertine Rift Valley region, Examples of species to see include the African green broadbill, sunbirds, swamp flycatcher mention a few. In conclusion, a Uganda safari to the Bwindi impenetrable national park can be combined with a Lake Bunyonyi boat trip downslope along the Kigezi highlands.