Activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Bwindi impenetrable national park is a UNESCO world Heritage site located in south-western Uganda in Kanungu district along the Democratic Republic of Congo boarder near Virunga national park. The park has over 300 bird species, 200 butterfly’s species, over 120 mammal species and over 200 tree species, 27 species of frogs, chameleon, geckos, over 1000 flowering plants. The park is one of the best places you can go for gorilla trekking in Uganda.

The park is famous for its magnificent Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi being the most popular for gorilla trekking because of the highest number of mountain gorillas it harbors. the park has 14 habituated gorilla groups. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is done in four sectors of buhoma, nkuringo, rushaga and Ruhija.

Bwindi impenetrable national park has over 450 individual mountain gorillas as per 2019 gorilla census. Selected gorilla families were habituated for human presence, and the number of people visiting them is controlled.

The park can be visited all year round however, its better you visit during dry seasons because the roads to the park are difficult in rainy seasons. its approximately 8 hours from Kampala to Bwindi. Domestic flights are available from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip and Kihihi airstrip.

Gorilla tracking became available in 1993, since then it’s has become the park’s main attraction. If you want to go for gorilla tracking you must obtain a gorilla trekking permit. You can get it through your tour operator or direct from Uganda Wildlife Authority. To get a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, you need to have a valid passport

Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of the park and is the most popular trailhead for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, offering treks to 32 tourists per day. It harbors the first habituated family of mountain gorillas called Mubare started in 1993 after a three-year habituation process, to date Buhoma sector is the easiest to trek. Gorilla trekking in buhoma sector lasts between 1-8 hours depending on how far the gorillas have moved.

You are given a maximum of one hour with the gorillas after finding them. Here you can take photos, ask the guide any question. There also animals and birds you can see in the buhoma sector apart from the gorillas.

Gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park

Gorilla families in buhoma sector

Katwe family

This is the most recent gorilla family in buhoma sector with 10 members, having one dominant male a silver back named katwe who is their leader.

Mubare family

This is the oldest gorilla family in Bwindi impenetrable national park under the leadership of kanyonyi.

Habinyanja family

This family has 19 members led by a silverback named makara.

Rushegura family

This family also has 19 members having mwirima as their dominant leader

 THE NKURINGO SECTOR

This is located in the southern region of the park with three [3] habituated gorilla families. You can also view mountain Nyamuragira and mountain nyiragongo while in nkuringo sector. It’s the hardest sector to trek because of its terrain.

Families in nkuringo sector

Bushaho family

This is a breakaway group from nkuringo family led by a silverback called bahati with 8 members

Nkuringo family

This family is under the leadership of safari having 4 adults.

THE RUHIJA SECTOR

This is the coldest sector found in the eastern part of Bwindi national park with four [4] habituated gorilla families.

The families found in Ruhija sector;

Kyaguliro family

This family consist of 2 smaller families; the kyaguliro A and Kyaguliro B under the leadership of mukiza and rukara respectively, with mukiza family having 10 members.

The oruzogo family

This family has 17 members led by a silverback called Bakwate

The bitukula family

This family has 13 members led by a young silver back named ndahura.

THE RUSHAGA SECTOR

This Bwindi sector is found in the southern part of the park with the best number of gorilla families These families include;

Nshongi family

This is the biggest family in rushaga sector with two silver backs

Bweza family

This family had 9 members led by a silver back named bweza having one silver back and two infants. This family was formerly part of Nshongi group later separated due to a misunderstanding

Kahugye family

This consists of 17 members led by a silver back named rumanzi. The family has 3 black backs, 3 female adults, 3 juveniles and 2 infants.

The busingye family

This is one of the most peaceful gorilla family with 9 members led by busingye

Mishaya family

This family has 12 members with two Mishayla adults.

Rwigi family

This family has 6 members led by rwigi after breaking away from kahuye family and he formed his own.

Mucunguzi family

Bikiyingi family

This family was discovered in bikiyingi area and is only open for habituation experience

Other attractions in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Mountain biking.

After your gorilla trekking experience, you can go for a biking tour which is carried out from the mountain trail as you head to the Ivi River. Take a 13-kilo meter ride as you watch animals like the red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys bushbucks and so much more.

Cultural encounters

Explore the culture of the Bakiga and the Batwa people as you go for community walks.  You can engage in their traditional dances, you will learn how they prepare their food, visit the black smith, their craft shop and so much more.

Bird watching.

Bwindi impenetrable national park is a rain forest which makes it a top place for harboring different bird species. The park is home to over 350 species of birds, with 23 endemics. Birds in Bwindi include, red-headed bluebill, white-tailed blue flycatcher, African blue, common bulbul, blue headed sunbird among others. Birding in Bwindi is done buhoma area, mubwindi swamp trail in Ruhija and in the bamboo zone.

Habinyanja trail.

This is an approximately a 2-3 hours trail which take you to the Habigorogoro and Riyovi Ridge. Its at this point where you will see Buhoma River and Habinyanja swamp. You will also see birds like the black bee eaters, African black duck, pel’s fishing owl and so much more.

Munyanga waterfall water.

Nature walks.

Bwindi impenetrable national park is beautiful breathtaking trails that you can explore on foot as you see different bird species, butterflies, animals, mountain views, forests and so much more.

Contact Engagi safaris for a memorable gorilla tracking and habituation experience,