Are Nature Walks In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Safe?

Are Nature Walks In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Safe? Yes, nature walks in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are very safe because they are carried out on well-developed trails and are led by professionally trained ranger guides. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in southwestern Uganda has the highest population of mountain gorillas, different mammals, birds, primates, and plant species. The nature walks in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park take 1- 4 hours depending on which one you have used. The park is hosts some of the oldest tree species in Africa and was declared a UNESCO natural world heritage site. The nature walks in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are done in any of the 4 sectors namely Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Nkuringo, and Rushaga in the south.

Besides the popular activities such as mountain gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, birding, and Batwa cultural experience, tourists on a safari in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can try out fascinating nature walks. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has 6 different trekking trails which take you 1 to 8 hours offering opportunities of going through the forest and seeing different bird species, mammals, primates, waterfalls, and seasonal rivers. Tourists going for a nature walk in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park will require good hiking boots, a pair of binoculars, a rain jacket, and a camera.

The best nature walks are done in Buhoma sector although each sector does have nature walks and some of the walking trails include Ivy River trails which start from Nkuringo park office and take 2 hours with a 7 km walk. There is also Kashasha river trails that start from Nkuringo park offices to the park buffer zone, Muyanga waterfall walk which starts from Buhoma, Rushura hill walk, Muzubijiro loop, the Buhoma-Nkuringo trail, and the Habinyanja trail.

The nature walks give tourists an opportunity of experiencing the true nature with opportunities of meeting different tree species, waterfalls, rivers, birds such as Yellow-crested Helmet Shrike, Stripe-breasted Tit, Wood Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Turner’s Eremomela, Red-throated Alethe, Green-headed Sunbird, Evergreen Warbler, Handsome Francolin Yellow-browed Camaroptera, and animals like the baboons, monkeys, elephants, buffaloes, duikers, giant forest hogs and chimpanzees among others.

What is the best time to have nature walks in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park?

Nature walks in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be done at any time of the year but the best season is the dry season when there is little or no rainfall. The dry season occurs from December to February and June to September every year. During these months, the vegetation in the park is thin giving clear views of park animals and clear photography, the trails in the park are dry and not slippery and lastly, the roads leading to the park are passable.

The rainy season in October to November and March to May is also considered to be the best because the rainy season fills up the seasonal rivers, there are a lot of fruits in the forest giving high chances of seeing many birds including the migratory, there are huge discounts on accommodation facilities but there is a lot of rainfall. You are advised to carry your rain jacket in the rainy season due to too much rainfall as well as waterproof hiking shoes.

What is the price for nature walks in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park?

All the walking trails in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are led by a well-trained guide at a fee of $30 foreign non-residents, $15 foreign residents, and shs250,000 East African citizens. The money can be paid to different offices in the park although it’s also good to book with your tour operator in advance for proper arrangement in the park.

Lodges and hotels in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has so many accommodation facilities where travelers can stay while on a safari to the park. The accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are in form of lodges, hotels, and camps and range from budget to mid-range to luxury options and they are spread in different sectors as below.

Rushaga sector- Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla havens lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Four Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, and Nshongi Camp among others

Ruhija sector – Bakiga Lodge, Cuckooland Tented Camp, Ruhija campsite, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Gift of nature lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agadi Eco Lodge, Trekkers Tavern cottages, and Ruhija Community Rest Camp among others.

Nkuringo sector – Bwindi Back Packer’s Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Crested Crane Bwindi lodge, and Nkuringo Gorilla Safari Lodge among others.

Buhoma sector – Buhoma Lodge, Trekkers Tavern, Engagi lodge, Jungle View Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi View Lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla resort, Jungle View Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, Gorilla Conservation Camp, and Buhoma Community Rest Camp among others.

Getting to  Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Travelers to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in southwestern Uganda can access the park using either road transport or air transport depending on their budget.

By air transport, travelers can get to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in just 2 hours by using chattered flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi airstrip if you are visiting Buhoma or Ruhija sector or Kisoro airstrip for those visiting Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors.

By road transport, the shortest route is from Kigali to the park using Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna Border in Kabale and takes about 4-5 hours. You can as well get to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park using Kampala/Entebbe – Masaka – Mbarara – Kabale or Kisoro taking you 9-10 hours.

What to do with Africa Adventure Vacations?

Africa adventure vacations is a tour company based in Uganda licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators. Booking with Africa adventure vacations provides you safety and confidence during your safari courtesy of well-trained safari driver guides who are well conversant with all routes and tourism destinations in Africa. You can book with us any of the activities you want to do in Africa such as mountain gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla habituation, birding, game drives, hiking, nature walks, and community tours among others. Booking nature walks in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park can be done at any time of the year.