Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are very popular safaris in Uganda. These Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi National Park take place in four sectors in the park and visited through out the year as long as one secures a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
Sectors for Gorilla Trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park take place in four different sectors.
The different sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are;
Buhoma-
Buhoma has four habituated gorilla families visited throughout the year. This was the first place where gorilla trekking activities first took place. The gorilla families here include Mubare, Habinyaja, Rushegura among others.
There are different accommodations in Buhoma for every traveller. There is Bwindi Lodge for luxury travellers, The Haven Lodge Buhoma for mid-range clients and Buhoma community camo for budget travellers
Ruhija Sector-
Ruhija is the highest point of Bwindi at about 2000 meters above sea level and has about three gorilla families that include Oruzogo, Bitikura and Kyagurilo. These too trekked throughout the year. Travellers can stay in Kabale, Buhoma and Ruhija itself in order to visit these gorilla families. However, if one does not stay in Ruhija and stay in Buhoma or Kabale, they would have to wake up very early in order to be at the briefing are by 7am
Rushaga sector-
Rushaga has majority of habituated gorilla families. It is located in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National park. Gorilla families here include Nshongi, Mishaya, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye among others. There are many lodges here for every traveller’s budget. This sector also the only place for gorilla habituation, a new activity that was introduced by Uganda Wildlife Authority where travellers take part in habituating wild mountain gorillas to make them ready for gorilla trekking safaris. This park of Bwindi can also be accessed from Rwanda, a shorter distance of about 3 hours from Kigali to Bwindi instead of the 10 hours from Entebbe to the same park
Nkuringo-
Nkuringo also in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrabble national park. It has one habituated gorilla family called Nkuringo and another one is being habituated. It has one of the luxury lodges in Uganda called Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and a semi- luxury lodge called Nkuringo Safari Lodge
Best time for gorilla trekking safaris
The best time for gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is throughout the year. All you need is to pack appropriately (trekking shoes, waterproof jacket, hat, camera, back pack among others. We will send you a list)
How to Get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is very easy either using road transport in our 4 x 4 WD safari vehicles
The park also accessed by scheduled and charter flights to the different airstrips close to the park through our partners Aerolink
It can also be accessed by flying to Kigali Rwanda and crossing the border to Uganda for your gorilla trekking safaris.
Insurance on gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
We highly advise that all travellers coming for gorilla trekking safaris should be insured. There are so many insurance companies that cover travellers on African safaris. Consult with your doctor too
Fitness for Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
To be able to enjoy your gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one needs some level of fitness. There is a reason the forest is called impenetrable. But no worries, there are always porters available at the park offices at the time of briefing. For $15 dollars, you can hire a porter who will carry your lunch back pack and give you moral support throughout the hiking process.
Noted that during trekking, everyone goes by the slowest person. All the guides and ranger guides are supportive to make your gorilla trek a memorable and enjoyable one
Accommodation used
All sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park have great accommodation choices for every traveller. Ruhija sector has the least accommodations but Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo have many lodges.
In Buhoma we recommend Bwindi safari Lodge, Buhoma Lodge and Gorilla Forest Camp for the luxury category, Mahogany Springs for semi-luxury, SilverBack Lodge, The Havens Lodge for Midrange lodges and Buhoma Community rest camp for budget
In Ruhija, we recommend Gorilla forest camp for semi-midrange and Broadbill Forest Camp for Budget. Broadbill Forest Camp has a great view of Bwindi forest and birders are able to watch different Albertine birds from their balconies. In the morning, visitors here will wake up to the sounds of wild chimpanzees as their alarm clock.
Rushaga has got Chameleon Hill Lodge and Gorilla Safari Lodge for Semi-Luxury, Mutanda Lake Resort, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge for midrange and Rushaga Camp for Budget
Other activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Other activities on gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include forest walks, waterfall trails, bird watching, community walks, research, gorilla habituation, Batwa trail etc.
All the above activities combined with gorilla trekking or can be done independently