Tourist Activities in Bwindi National Park 2021
Tourist Activities in Bwindi National Park 2021: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of four National Parks in East Africa where mountain gorilla trekking is done. Located in south western Uganda, the park is made of the ancient Bwindi impenetrable forest which is the habitat for the mountain gorillas. The park on top of being a famous habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas is also a habitat for several other animal species, bird species and of course several tree species.
Due to the COVID19 pandemic, Bwindi National Park was closed off for a couple of months but now it has been reopened and it is welcoming visitors for all its unique activities. The park’s unique activities include but not limited to:-
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Since Bwindi National Park is a habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas, of course the main activity done in this park is mountain gorilla trekking. This is an unforgettable experience where you climb the mountainous trails of the great impenetrable forest to find the great apes. On a mountain gorilla trekking experience you will spend more than 3 hours trekking and only one hour with the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorilla trekking is only done by persons above 15 years and a mountain gorilla trekking permit for the season of December 1st 2020 to March 31st 2021 will cost you only 400 USD.
Mountain gorilla trekking is done in four sectors thus Buhoma, Ruhijja, Nkuringo and Rushaga. On your trekking experience you will trek one of these sectors and you will visit one mountain gorilla family in the sector you have trekked.
Birding
The Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park is home to over 300 bird species including the endemic albertine rift valley birds. Some of the birds in this forest include but not limited to:- Rusty-faced woodland Gruel’s Rush Warbler, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, kivi ground thrush, the Wing, Dusky Crimson, honey guide, Bar-tailed Trogon, Warbler, White-tailed Blue Monarch Short-tailed Warbler and many more.
Bird lovers and enthusiasts can take on forest exploring adventures to watch these most of these bird species. Birding experiences are guided by birding rangers that help you spot the different birds in the forest.
Forest Nature Walks
Bwindi Impenetrable forest is an array of different tree species on a unique rocky mountainous landscape. So forest Nature walks, are a way of exploring the unique forest landscape and the numerous tree species that make up the forest. The forest Nature Walks are guided tours and they take half a day or the full day depending on what you want to see and your physical fitness.
River Walks
The edges of the Bwindi Impenetrable forest have several rivers that flow into the neighbouring communities. These rivers are river Munyanga and river Ivy. A walk around these rivers gives the visitors a spectacular view of the forest, virunga massif area and the surrounding communities. River Munyanga leads to a beautiful and refreshing waterfall well as river Ivy leads you to the Buhoma community, river Ivy is also a bird sanctuary; so bird lovers can enjoy viewing the birds on the walk. Both river walks are amazingly refreshing and offer another side of beauty to Bwindi National Park.
Community Tours
You can also visit the surrounding communities that stay around the forest and the park to experience the local cultures and lifestyles of the peoples that are around the park. Community tours help you appreciate the different African cultures, stories, lifestyles, foods, traditions, dances, norms and many more.
Mountain biking and cycling
Given the mountainous landscape of the forest, adventurous tourists are able take on mountain biking or cycling escapades to explore the forest and also challenge the mountainous forest trails. The mountain biking and cycling experiences facilitate amazing viewings of the forest, its surroundings and virunga massif region.
Batwa community
On your stay in Bwindi National Park, you can also visit the rare and popular Batwa people community that is kinda deep in the forest. A visit to the Batwa community will expose you to the rare culture and lifestyle these forest people and allow you to appreciate human diversity.
Now that Bwindi National Park is reopened, you can enjoy all these activities and many more all the way through to 2021.
