Activities in Bwindi Uganda | What to do in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Bird watching | Cultural tours | Gorilla Trekking | Mountain biking | Nature Walks

Top activities in Bwindi Uganda: There is much more than gorilla tracking in Bwindi. Below are some of the top attractions and activities guests may explore on your visit to the world’s home of silverbacks

Birding In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi is Uganda’s oldest forest with about 350 species of birds recorded. It has a variety of birds with 90% of the Albertine Rift endemics. It has 23 endemics including Blue-headed Sunbird and Short-tailed Warbler. There are also seven IUCN red data listed species. It is easy to spot Red-headed Bluebill, Flycatchers African, Emerald Cuckoo and Common Bulbul, African Blue and White-tailed Blue.

Birding is a common practice in Bwindi Swamp trail of Ruhija, Buhoma Waterfall Trail and the bamboo zone.

Cultural tours in bwindi.

Bwindi is rich with the local Bakiga and Batwa cultures. These two communities practice a lot of handcraft such as the beeswax candles, fabrics, and wood carvings. On the three-hour village walk you will meet some shops selling these artefacts. These cultural activities are very important in the livelihood of the Batwa and Bakiga communities. The Batwa also prove their talents in cultural aspects of cultural/traditional songs and dances.  These songs and dances portray the Batwa past life in the forest.

Black smith is also practiced in the area. Traditional doctors also heal their patients using the local herbs got from the plants. Beers from banana are also made and a visitor can buy if he or she wants to test.

Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

In Uganda, Bwindi is well known for being a habitat of Mountain Gorillas hence gorilla tracking is must do experience on a visit to Bwindi forest national park. Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Ruhija are the four main gorilla tracking locations in Bwindi. These locations have 18 gorilla families.

Gorilla tracking permits can be secured if you book with Africa Adventure Vacations or directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). You can pay for the permit in advance up to two years.

A number of 8 visitors aged above 15years are allowed to track gorillas for one hour in a day under a guidance of a professional UWA ranger who always help guests to spot gorillas and other forest residents during a trail.

Mountain biking in bwindi.

Mountain cycling in Bwindi is an ultimate adventure that starts from the headquarters of a park; Buhoma to Ivi River. It is a 13km trail. While mountain biking you spot red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus and bushbucks. It takes six to seven hours. The cycling is always organized by Buhoma Community Rest Camp. It is under the community development initiative known as “Ride for a Woman”.

Hiking Or Nature Walks In Bwindi

Primate encounters, waterfall walks, mountain views, impressive birdlife spotting and forest walks are the main activities on your nature walk trail in Buhoma. When walking from Rushura Hill Walk, you go through a forest shared by two countries. During the day you will view the conical peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes, Rwenzori Mountains and lakes Edward and George.

When exploring Bwindi impenetrable forest, you will find Muyanga waterfall walk departing from Buhoma to river Ivi Nkuringo trail. It is sighted 33m with the falls plummeting.  After a walk of 6km around a hill of Muzubijiro, you will spot birds and primates that will attract your attention. You will view Virunga ranges too.

Wild pigs are also found in a place known as Mukempunu. The seven hours walk of Ivi river which is 14km makes trail pass through a place of wild pigs “Mukempunu”. The legendary African Corner is found along a trail found the Habigorogoro and Riyovi Ridge which gives you a chance of spotting Buhoma river. Habinyanja trail is estimated 4-6hours. On the steep ascent the hikers enjoy a comfort of sloping habinyanja swamp. Birders walking on this route will see African Black Duck and Black Bee Eaters, Pel’s Fishing Owl and more.

The tail of Buhoma-Nkuringo is roughly three hours. It crosses through the park hence connecting two villages. This has an oversight of impressing misty hillsides of Nkuringo. It is also good to leave the luggage with the driver to meet you on the other side of hill. The walk to Ivi river can be put into consideration to complete the trail and its among the top activities in Bwindi during safari adventures and tours