Bwindi Beyond Gorilla Tracking
Bwindi Beyond Gorilla Tracking: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park attracts tourists across the world due to its unique population of the endangered mountain gorillas, which contributes tremendously to the country’s tourism revenue. However, its appeal goes far beyond gorilla trekking scenery and incredible biodiversity, making it a World Heritage Site. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers one of the most unforgettable wilderness experiences on earth.
The park spans 331 square kilometres, straddling steep ridges and valleys at altitudes ranging from 1160 to 2600 meters. This forest is estimated to be over 25000 years old, making it one of the most ancient ecosystems in Africa. Over one millennium, its isolation has nurtured an astonishing variety of species. Today, Bwindi shelters over 120 mammal species, 350 bird species, 220 butterfly species, and countless plants, many of which exist nowhere else. Bwindi has gentle giants, which are among the most endangered primates on earth, with only around 1000 individuals remaining globally.
Almost half of them live in Bwindi’s dense jungle. Tracking gorillas in Bwindi is one of the world’s most powerful wildlife encounters. Guided by experienced rangers and trackers, visitors hike through the steep terrain and tangled vegetation in search of one of the 20 habituated gorilla families open to tourism. Each trek can take between one to five hours, depending on the gorilla’s location, and once found, visitors are allowed to spend one unforgettable hour observing them as they feed, groom, and interact.
Following Bwindi Beyond Gorilla Tracking, visitors have a chance of observing these gentle giants as they execute their day-to-day activities, such as nurturing their babies, feeding, climbing, and playing with their babies, among others. Visitors who prefer a deeper connection with these semi-habituated gentle giants can experience gorilla habituation, which runs for 4 hours, compared to standard gorilla trekking, which lasts for one hour, upon seeing these mountain gorillas.
During the gorilla habituation experience, the park trekkers are accompanied by a team of researchers, primatologists, conservationists, and armed rangers in a bid to help these gorillas get familiar with human presence. Although gorillas are the headline attraction, Bwindi’s biodiversity is extraordinary. Unlike gorilla trekking, which has attracted quite a number of tourists across the world, the park offers visitors the chance to encounter other primates, including black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and blue monkeys.
The forest is also home to forest elephants, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, and several species of duikers. For bird lovers, Bwindi is a paradise, recognised as one of Africa’s premier birding destinations with over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. The park’s main activity and one of the most sought-after experiences in Africa is gorilla trekking. Treks start early morning after a briefing at the ranger station.
Following Bwindi Beyond Gorilla Tracking, the armed guides and trackers are experts in gorilla tracking and follow fresh gorilla trails through dense vegetation and steep slopes. Bwindi is among Africa’s richest birding areas. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a birding paradise with unique birding spots, including Rushaga Trail, Buhoma Water Trail, Ruhija Trail, and Mubwindi Trail. Avid birders should expect to encounter several bird species, including the Albertine Rift endemics such as the Rwenzori Batis, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Grauer’s Broadbill, Strange Weaver, Masked Apalis, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, and many others. Besides gorilla trekking, other activities to do include guided nature walk safaris and community visits, especially the Batwa community tours, among others.
Bwindi’s surrounding communities offer cultural experiences that complement the park’s natural beauty. The Batwa cultural experiences allow the visitors to meet the pygmy people, who were originally inhabitants. Visitors learn about their traditional hunting techniques, songs, and dances, and more so a deeper appreciation for their connection to the forest. Travellers who are able to visit nearby projects, beekeeping, schools, and tree planting, among others, are part of the projects that the revenue generated from tourism supports.
The best time for trekking is during the dry season since the trails are dry, and the roads are more accessible. The dry season runs from June to August and from December to February. The months of March to May and September to November are best for birding and photography, though trekking is more challenging. There is a wide range of accommodation around each gorilla tracking sector, from luxury lodges to budget camps. Bwindi lies about 500 kilometres from Kampala. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers the best memories that last for a lifetime. For travelers who intend to adventure and enjoy life in the wild, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best destination. The park combines wildlife, inspiring human stories, and natural beauty in a single memorable trip.
