Why visit Bwindi National Park 2024 – 2025 : There are many reasons why tourists should visit Bwindi national park which is part of the destinations located in the south western part of Uganda. Some of the reasons include the following;
- To see the gorillas
Gorillas are the main attraction found in Bwindi national park and Uganda is known for being home to over half the world’s population of mountain gorillas.
The high altitude nature of Bwindi national park acts as habitat for the mountain gorillas which can be seen around different parts of the dense forests of Bwindi where many other primates can also be encountered during tours.
- Different sectors for gorilla trekking
When visiting Bwindi national park, there are 4 sectors where tourists can visit the gorillas and enjoy spending time with them in their natural habitat.
The sectors of Bwindi national park include Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhija sector in the east, Nkuringo and Rushaga sector located in the southern part of the national park.
Because of the many sectors where the gorilla trekking experience can be done in Bwindi, tourists have many options to choose from when deciding where to engage in the activity of gorilla trekking.
Only individuals over the age of 15 years are allowed to engage in the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi national park.
- Affordable gorilla permits
Another reason why tourists visit Uganda is because the gorilla permits are affordable as compared to the Rwanda gorilla permit.
Gorilla permits in Uganda are issued for different sectors of Bwindi national park by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The cost of a gorilla permit for Bwindi national park is 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
A limited number of gorilla permits are issued daily for gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi national park and only 8 individuals visit one gorilla family in the national park per day.
- To engage in gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is among the activities which tourists can take part in when visiting Bwindi national park and it takes place in the different sectors of the park.
This activity starts with a briefing at the Bwindi park headquarters as early as 07:00 am. During the briefing, tourists are told about the different rules and regulations as well as safety precautions to be followed during the gorilla trekking experience.
After completing the briefing, tourists can head into the Bwindi forests with ranger guides to search for the gorillas. During gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi national park, tourists get 1 hour in the presence of the gorillas to enjoy recording videos and taking pictures of the gorillas.
- To experience gorilla habituation
Another activity which brings tourists to Bwindi national park is engaging in the gorilla habituation experience.
Gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park is done in the Rushaga sector where gorilla trekking tours can also be done when visiting Uganda. The cost of a permit for the gorilla habituation experience is 1500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 1000 USD for foreign residents and 750,000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens.
Tourists start the activity with a briefing at the Bwindi park headquarters before proceeding with ranger guides and researchers for the gorilla habituation experience. This activity involves closely observing the gorillas in their natural habitat for a period of 4 hours.
- Why visit Bwindi National Park 2024 – 2025 : To see different bird species
There are over 350 bird species found in Bwindi national park including Albertine rift endemic species which tourists can see as they explore the national park.
Bwindi national park also has different spots for bird watching making it an ideal destination to visit in Uganda for birders. Some of the bird species found in the national park include RwenzoriNightjar, Handsome Francolin, Black Billed Turaco, Black Bee eater, Kivu Ground Thrush, Strange weaver, African Pitta, Dusky long tailed Cuckoo, Dusky tit, Grey-headed Sparrow, Grey-Throated Barbet, Hairy Breasted Barbet, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Red-throated Alethe, Stripe-breasted tit, Rwenzori Turaco, Yellow Crested Helmet Shrike, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Rwenzori Batis among others.
- Why visit Bwindi National Park 2024 – 2025 : To experience the culture of the Batwa
Bwindi national park is also home to the Batwa people who have a unique culture that tourists can experience during their tours around the national park.
During tours with the Batwa people, tourists can learn how to make fire using sticks, experience the hunting skills and also take part in learning how the Batwa hunt and also enjoying traditional dance performances.
Apart from the Batwa, tourists can also interact with the Bakiga people during their tours around Bwindi national park.
- Why visit Bwindi National Park 2024 – 2025 : To hike around the Bwindi forests
Hiking is another activity which is done in Bwindi national park which draws tourists to the national park when visiting Uganda.
Different trails are used during the hikes around Bwindi national park which take about 4 to 7 hours and are carried out in the company of a ranger guide. The best time to engage in this activity is during the dry season when the trails are no slippery.
Tourists who prefer a more subtle way to explore the trails around Bwindi National Park can opt for guided nature walks around the park which also bring them closer to their natural surroundings in the forest where many bird and primate species can be seen.
Some of the trails used during tours around Bwindi national park include Mubwindi swamp trail, Ivy river trail, Bamboo trail among others.
- Why visit Bwindi National Park 2024 – 2025 : UNESCO World Heritage Site
Another reason to visit Bwindi national park is because it is a UNESCO world heritage site with a lot to offer during tours.
The biodiversity of Bwindi national park makes it a must visit destination to visit in Uganda and the park has over 163 tree species, various bird species, butterfly species and also different primate species including mountain gorillas can be seen in the park.
Many other wildlife species can also be seen in Bwindi national park including buffalos, elephants, bush pigs as well as primates like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys among others.
