5 Best Activities In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park -What Things To Do

They are a variety of activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The top things to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include;

Below is a detailed explanation of the safari activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

1. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the best activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It ranks among the absolute highlights of a safari to Africa.

Setting eyes on Mountain Gorillas is undisputably incredible and breathtaking for everyone who undertakes gorilla trekking for the first time.

These enormous apes; almost 3 times as bulky as an average man, with luxuriant shaggy coat hair, are remarkably peaceful creatures despite their fearsome appearance.

More impressive even than the gorilla’s size is their unfathomable attitude to people, which greatly differ from that of any other wild animal.

And, a big part of what makes the gorilla trek so special is that these big apes are so closely related to humans (the difference in DNA is only about 1.6%)

Almost all visitors who visit gorillas experience an almost mist sense of recognition.  Often, one of the gentle giants will stop whatever he is doing—playing with a youngster, munching a celery stalk—to look thoughtfully into a visitor’s eyes as if trying to understand him.

The visitor returns the gaze, with feelings described variously as awe, mutual curiosity, and an almost mystical sense of connection between two beings that have traveled long related, and finally divergent evolutionary paths.

2. Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

If you want to be in the presence of Mountain Gorillas and learn more about them, the Mountain Gorilla Habituation experience, beyond the Basics, is for you.

It is the latest addition to tourist activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park/things to do

Gorilla Habituation is a niche Uganda safari activity, not meant for everyone. This particular activity is hands-on, instead of being an observer.

It is only in Uganda that you can exclusively be with a Mountain Gorilla Family for 4 hours on a Gorilla Habituation Experience.

Whoever wants to be part of this experiential venture must travel to the Rushaga sector south of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Presently, two gorilla families; Bikyingi and Bushaho are undergoing habituation

3. Hiking/Nature Walks in Bwindi

Hiking and Nature Walks in Bwindi National Park provide more relaxed opportunities to explore one of Uganda’s loveliest rainforests. Though gorilla trekking is the utmost activity for those undertaking Uganda gorilla tours in Bwindi.

As you hike through the impenetrable forest, you will get chances of seeing various primate species, beautiful butterflies, and various tree & bird species.

You will be guided by a tour guide who will lead you through and as well help you to understand the natural system in the park.

Visitors can hike in the impenetrable forest via six trails of Buhoma, Ruhnja, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. These walks usually start at 9:00 am after breakfast and at 2:15 pm after lunch.

4. Birdwatching in Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The diverse habitats in Uganda’s most ancient forest harbor a diversity of bird species.  About 350 species have been recorded, with 23 endemics.

Birdwatching in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi

Birders with a limited amount of time in Buhoma are strongly urged to stick to the Munyaga River Trail, which starts on the edge of the park behind the gorilla trekking trailhead, and follows the same old road through the forest south of Buhoma as the Waterfall Trail.

The open road provides better birding opportunities than narrow forest paths and on a good morning, you could hope to see around 50 – 60 species, a high proportion of which are more easily seen here than in any similarly accessible part of Uganda.

Below are the remarkable birds commonly seen and more readily identifiable in Bwindi Forest.

• Great blue turaco
• Black-billed turaco
• Barred long-tailed cuckoo
• Bar-tailed trogon
• Black bee-eater
• Grey-throated barbet
• Petit’s cuckoo-shrike
• Elliot’s woodpecker
• Red-tailed greenbul
• Mountain greenbul
• Icterine greenbul
• Yellow-whiskered greenbul
• White-bellied robin-chat
• White-tailed ant thrush
• Rusty-faced woodland warbler
• White-browed crombec
• Yellow-eyed black flycatcher
• White-tailed blue flycatcher
• White-tailed crested flycatcher
• Narrow-tailed starling
• McKinnon’s shrike
• Doherty’s bush shrike, and
• Black-headed waxbill

In addition to outstanding birding, this road supports a dazzling array of colorful butterflies and lovely L’Hoest’s monkey is often encountered.

Birders who specify their area of interest when they book a walk could ask for one of the several UWA guides with above-average birding skills

5. Cultural Visits & Community Walks In  Bwindi

Community tours/visits and Village Walks are the best way for tourists to Bwindi to interact with local people. They give travelers and a golden opportunity to listen to historical stories, participate in traditional activities like digging, milking.

Community tours in Bwindi give a great insight into the daily life of the people around e.g how they sleep, marital customs, local beer, food preparation, etc.

You will have fun as well! take part in traditional dances, singing, local bear testing, etc in any of the regions of Bwindi.

i) Buhoma Sector

Village Walks

This 3-hour stroll through Buhoma and its margin immerses visitors in the customs and practices of the Bakiga and Batwa people. The tour takes in varied activities such as;

• Farming
• Brewing local beer
• Dispensing traditional medicines, and
• Concludes with dancing displays by members of the Batwa community.

ii) Rushaga Sector

Community Walks

The 3-4-hour Reformed Poacher walk, guided by and offering the opportunity to chat to former poachers, takes in two waterfalls close to Rubuguri as well as visits to local smallholdings and a coffee roaster.

iii) Nkuringo Sector

Nkuringo community walk

This community-run activity provides insights into Bakiga life and culture, with visits to a traditional healer, blacksmith, brewer, and homestead in the vicinity of Nkuringo village.