Attractions in Bwindi forest are the different things to see during a tour of the famous Bwindi national park located in south western Uganda.
Bwindi national park is among the popular national parks of Uganda and it is also a UNESCO world heritage site. There are different attractions found in Bwindi forest and they include the following;
Mountain gorillas
Bwindi forest is home to mountain gorillas in Uganda and it is said that half the world’s population of gorillas are found there.
The mountain gorillas in Bwindi forest can be seen in the various sectors of the park such as Rushaga sector, Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector and also Ruhija sector. Each of these sectors has gorilla groups or families which visitors can enjoy seeing as they search for the gorillas in the impenetrable forest.
These gorillas can be seen during gorilla trekking and also habituation which are activities to do at the famous Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Gorilla trekking experience allows people to get close to the gorillas in their natural habitat. This experience can be done during any time of the year. The cost of a gorilla permit in Bwindi national park is 700 USD for foreign nonresidents, 600 USD for foreign residents and 250,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
During the gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park, the activity starts with a briefing at the park headquarters followed by going into the forest in groups of 8 to search for the gorillas accompanied by ranger guides.
Tourists spend 1 hour with the gorillas and can enjoy taking photos and videos of the gorillas. However, during the encounter with gorillas there are rules and regulations to follow for the safety of both the tourists and the gorillas in Bwindi forest.
Gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park on the other hand is done in Rushaga sector and it costs 1500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 1000 USD for foreign residents and 750,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
One of the rules to follow during gorilla encounters in Uganda is that children below the age of 15 years are not allowed to engage in the gorilla trekking experience. This applies to both Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park which are the destinations for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Birds in Bwindi forest
Another attraction to see in Bwindi forest is the various bird species such as the endemic bird species. There are over 350 bird species that can be seen in different parts of Bwindi national park.
The African broadbill is among the endemic birds of the Albertine rift region which can be seen in Bwindi forest. Other birds in Bwindi include the African Emerald cuckoo, Rwenzori turaco, Handsome Francolin, Black-Billed Turaco, Yellow eyed Black Flycatcher, Black bee-eater, Bush shrike, Regal sunbird, Crowned hornbill, Rwenzori Nightjar, Montane Masked Apalis, Common Bulbul, Grey-Throated Barbet, Grey Apalis among others.
Apart from seeing the gorillas in Bwindi national park, tourists also visit the destination to engage in bird watching.
Diverse habitat
Bwindi national park has diverse habitat which supports the bird species and also the primates and other mammals that live in the park.
The unique ecosystem of Bwindi national park can be explored during guided nature walks and hikes at the destination.Exploring the diverse habitats of Bwindi is done with ranger guides and this experience can be done along trails such as the Munyaga trail, Rushura hill trail, Kashasha river trail, Habiyanja trail, Bamboo trail among others.
Moving around the Bwindi Forest on foot allows visitors to immerse themselves in its natural beauty and discover its hidden treasures.
Local communities around Bwindi forest
There are different local communities around Bwindi forest and they include the Batwa people who are pygmies.
Interactions with the locals involve getting to know their culture, getting insight on their traditional way of life and customs, taking part in traditional dances, listening to local stories, visiting the local markets, tasting and preparing local food among other exciting experiences.
The Batwa experience offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Bwindi forest from the perspective of its original inhabitants who are the Batwa pygmies.
Visitors can explore the Bwindi forest with their Batwa guides as they listen to captivating stories about their traditional hunting techniques, medicinal plants, and cultural practices. This immersive experience sheds light on the deep connection between the Batwa people and Bwindi Forest.
Waterfalls
Bwindi forest also has waterfalls which can be visited during tours around the national park during the year.
Some of the waterfalls to see in Bwindi national park include the Munyaga waterfalls along the Munyaga trail. This trail starts from Buhoma and follows the River Ivi-Nkuringo trail in the national park and is located near the park headquarters.
Taking short hikes and nature walks through Bwindi forest is also part of the experience in the national park while going to visit the waterfalls in Bwindi national park.
Butterflies
Butterfly species of a variety can also be found in Bwindi forest which has over 200 species of butterflies.
Guided butterfly watching is among the activities that visitors of Bwindi national park take part in and it gives them an opportunity to observe the various butterfly species and learn about them and their lifecycles.
How to get to Bwindi forest
To get to see the different attractions in Bwindi forest, visitors can choose to fly or drive to the national park.
The journey to Bwindi forest by road takes about 8 hours while enjoying views of the unique landscapes in western Uganda with stops along the way in towns like Mbarara and also at the equator.
By flight to Bwindi forest, the airstrips used include Kisoro airstrip and Kihihi airstrip. Scheduled and charter flights are offered to Bwindi national park daily from Entebbe international airport.
Flights to and from Bwindi national park can be morning or afternoon flights offered by companies such as Aerolink.
Bwindi national park in conclusion is a must visit destination which offers an exciting adventure in Uganda for primate lovers and bird watchers as well as other tourists.
