The Ultimate Gorilla Experience
Uganda’s Gorilla Habitat and foremost tourist attraction and indeed one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife encounters.This is one of the most popular conservation areas in Uganda and home to more than 50% of the World’s endangered mountain Gorillas, though it also harbours other wildlife that includes; chimpanzees, monkeys, elephants and various small antelopes. It’s also known to be Africa’s number one birding spot, with over 350 recorded bird species and has 23 of the Albertine rift endemics. So mountain Gorilla trekking is one of the most popular activities here and a lifetime experience. The park has 4 tourism sectors, Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija and Buhoma sector where also the park headquarters are found. This one day activity normally starts in the morning with a briefing by the park rangers, at the park offices (depending on the family of Gorillas that one is booked for), before penetrating the impenetrable forest to have a glance at these endangered gentle giants. This being a highland, tropical rain forest, the trekking may involve walking under steep, slippery and muddy conditions and sometimes with rain over head. So you need to carry good walking boots, rain jackets, insect repellants and packed lunch, while going for this activity. Also birding and nature walks are some of the activities done in this park.
Bwindi impenetrable National park has abundant wildlife and other organisms or plants which are attractive to tourists. A permit to track gorillas costs $ 700 and the experience is a life time.
Birds.
This forest is endowed with a variety of bird species and most of them are rarely seen in other places. Bwindi hosts like 350 species of birds and most of them are Albertine rift endemics. Among the beautiful species that are found in this great forest include. The Short-tailed Warbler and Blue-headed Sunbird as well as seven IUCN red data listed species among others.
Take a visit to the Bafumbira, Bakiga, and Batawa Culture
Experience the great culture of Bafumbira, Bakiga and Batwa around the forest. These people have good cultural activities that are organized once paid a visit.
Nature walks.
There are so many trails around the forest which are rewarding with attractions like monkey and different species of birds. There is also some small rivers in the forest like the river Rushaga. All these can be an added on the gorilla tracking experience.
Plants and trees.
Besides all the above, there are also medicinal plants in the forest .some of them are very vital to gorillas like the Amariansus and the Abratinsha. These are commonly good for gorillas and are rarely found elsewhere in the world. There are l63 species of trees and 104 species of ferns recorded.
Silverback in Bwindi.
It is located in Kigezi Highlands of southwestern Uganda overlooking the western rift valley, covering an area of 331 square kilometers with in the Districts of Kabale, Kisoro and Kanungu. The Park borders Rwanda Democratic Republic of Congo on the west. The nearest main towns is Kabale 29 kilometers by road to the south east and Kisoro.
Bwindi is characterized by steep hills and narrow valleys, with a general incline from the north and west to the high deeply dissected south and southeast. 60% of the Park is over 2,000 m high. Together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary. Bwindi has 10 habituated gorilla groups.