Not only popular in Uganda and Africa but Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a popular national park globally. Bwindi is situated in the southwestern part of the country, in Kanungu and Kabale districts. It is arguably the most visited national park in the Pearl of Africa, Uganda. The chief attraction in the Park is the endangered mountain gorilla, which exists in only four national parks; Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Out of the four Parks, Bwindi remains peerless when it comes to gorilla trekking experiences, and it alone resides almost a half of the total population of mountain gorillas.
What to do in Bwindi
Needless to say, gorilla trekking is the most prominent activity in Bwindi. Trekking the endangered mountain gorillas is done in all the Park’s four sectors; Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo sectors. The Park boasts a total of 20 habituated gorilla families resided in the four sectors. Buhoma sector has the oldest habituated gorilla family, Mubare gorilla family, in Uganda and it is the most visited sector of the four though Rushaga sector has the highest number of habituated gorilla families, 8 habituated gorilla families.
The gorilla trekking experience is such a fantastic and breathtaking activity but typically strenuous! You will need much effort to trek them because like their names, mountain gorillas; these amazing creatures live in mountainous areas, thus you have to be physically fit. If you are very old or ill, you are not emphasized to go for the activity otherwise it won’t be fun for you at all…..The gorilla trekking experience is done in groups of 8 individuals, per group, and each group is led by the Park’s experienced and knowledgeable rangers to assure you a great time while there. Before going for the treks in the impenetrable forests of Bwindi, in search of the endangered mountain gorillas, you will be first briefed at any of the sectors’ briefing bandas. Please do not do the opposite of what you are told in the briefing, take caution!
Trekking the gorillas lasts for 1-4 hours and you will spend a full hour with these gentle creatures observing their breathtaking behaviors, what an extraordinary feeling!! To take note of; mountain gorillas are very few, only found in 3 countries, and the gorilla trekking experience is annually on a very high demand, especially the peak season. Therefore, forward in your bookings as earlier as possible, tell your tour operator to book for you the permit earlier such that you don’t miss out this fantastic experience. A gorilla permit in Uganda costs US$ 600 but with effect from July of 2020, the permit will be costing US$ 700 for the bettering of gorilla excursions in the country.
Where to stay in Bwindi
The Park has a variety of accommodations to choose from. Some of the Park’s accommodations include; Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Silverback Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Buhoma Lodge and many others.
