Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda has the biggest safari attractions including the rare mountain gorillas. What to see in Bwindi Gorilla Park remains a lot, take a visit to Bwindi forests national park that holds the largest population of Gorillas in the entire world. Apart from the Mountain Gorillas, expect a lot to see in Bwindi Forest Uganda Park. Many of the visitors to Bwindi Forest are eager to take the most thrilling Gorilla trekking tour in to the forest ye the forest offers much more including birds, waterfalls, local community experience. You can take on bird watching safaris in Bwindi Forests, guided nature walks, River Munyaga walk, the Ivy River walk, the Bamboo trail walk and the Batwa community/village foot safari.BOOK NOW
Bird Watching in Bwindi.
Top on the list of what to see in Bwindi gorilla Park include Bird watching with over 350 species, including 23 Albertine endemic species around the waterfall trail and in the Mubwindi swamp land – from where Bwindi derives her name – in the Ruhija sector makes Bwindi Impenetrable forest one of Africa’s leading birding destinations. A walk in this rain forest, with its misty covering, you could catch a glimpse of a northern double collared sunbird.
Buhoma Village Tourist Walk
The village walk, usually takes about three hours, is managed by the local community and received proceeds in the community invested so their welfare. During this walk you will be introduced to some interesting places like a typical rural farmhouse, a visit to a local traditional pharmacy, a demonstration on a banana beer brewery and much more.
Guided Nature Walk in Bwindi
You will see how people make local crafts such as baskets with the most intricate designs – beer made from Bananas, and a distillery that makes the local Waragi Gin from Bananas, meet a traditional healer and learn of what is gathered in the ancient forest and how it is taken and applied to ailments – you will be amazed. See how the growing of local produce is done and harvested, food preparation and meet the Batwa Pygmy community.
Buniga Forest Trail Walk – 3 hours
This project is run by USAID and the local Batwa community. The Batwa tribe had to leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1991 when it was declared a UNESCO world Heritage site for the gorillas only. As the Batwa had been living in the forest as nomads surviving on the flora and fauna around them, moving out and suddenly living in communities with a completely different way of life has proven to be a huge challenge.
Forest Walk in Bwindi
This walk is truly an experience. Not challenging at all but rather informative and exciting, it is an eye opener to see how the Batwa managed to survive in the forest.
Canoeing & Boat ride along Lake Mutanda
The lodge has a motorized boat that offers a scenic ride and adventure about the Lake Mutanda. Enjoy great views of the terraced & verdant highlands in all directions. An alternative to the motor boat is the dugout Canoe which is more active and adventurous.
Visit some of the Islands of Lake Mutanda
Track pythons on the python island, visit the 2 punishment islands that possess skeletal remains of punished criminals, and trek on the Mutanda Island which is the biggest and unlike other islands is inhibited by the community that practice farming. You also get to enjoy excellent views from the islands.
Coffee tour, Lake Mutanda, Nkuringo
When you arrive in Kisoro, have your first cup of coffee at Gorilla Junction and go for a coffee tour. After, you can be transferred to Lake Mutanda for a 2.5 hours canoe tour. Admire the Islands and surrounding volcanoes that skirt the edge of the lake. The last part of the hike takes you through communities, past farmers. You won’t hear the sound of vehicles or heavy machinery, just the hum and energy of village life. A truly special experience.
Hike through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
There are 2 routes through Bwindi Impenetrable forest which take you from Nkuringo in the South to Buhoma in the North. These trails serve two purposes, 1) Trekking through thick primary rain forest with fantastic primates, birding and spectacular scenery, 2) As means of getting from the North to south of Bwindi or vice versa to continue your safari. This is the most popular hike.
Ivy River Trail – 4 hours
This Ivy River route ascends and descends gently through beautiful areas of the rain forest with several viewpoints from the marram road to Nkuringo overlooking lush mist shrouded valleys. The trail is also an important footpath for local people travelling to and from Nkuringo particularly on market days to Nteko village on the southern boundary of the park.
Kashasha River Trail – 6-7 hours
Slightly more challenging than the Ivy River Trail the Kashasha River Trail offers visitors an up close experience of the natural wonders within a rain forest environment. Birds are prolific in Bwindi and your guide will point these out to you during your walk. Upon arrival in Buhoma you may opt to proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park entrance and ranger guide fees required.
Suma Water Fall & Nombe Walk
It is also a community walk across villages. The waterfall is found in a village called Suma. It’s a 6 kms walk from Nkuringo. When going to the waterfalls you pass one of the biggest villages in the area; with more than 500 people. The village has a man famous for having 16 wives. The waterfall is surrounded by different species of trees that are home to plenty of endemic bird species. This can be done any time but the best time is in the morning hours.
Nombe Pocket Forest Walk – 5 to 6 hours
The pocket forest was part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is still quite impenetrable. It was cut off from the forest as people needed more land to live on and cultivate. It takes around 2 hours to get there, 2 hours on the edge of the forest and 2 hours to walk back. The walk takes you through beautiful little farming villages. Nombe Pocket Forest is exceptional for birding.
The Batwa Cultural Experience
The Batwa were the original people of the forest, they were here for thousands of years before the Bantu People, and the Cultivators of the Land arrived. The Batwa People – are pygmies – were hunter-gatherers and lived in the forests of Southwest Uganda and beyond. They left a small ecological footprint on the forest and lived in harmony with nature. You can visit the forest with the Batwa People and learn of their traditional ways.
Trek to the top of the world – 2 to 3 hours
A short walk from Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. You stroll through Nkuringo village and take some small foot paths to the top of the world. Beautiful views overlooking the surrounding mountains, valleys and ridges. A great way to stretch your legs after gorilla tracking. Beautiful in the afternoon when the sun is setting.
Buffer Zone Walk – 2 to 3 hours
You will always remain surprised of What to see in Bwindi gorilla Park. A buffer zone is a transition zone between Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the cultivated areas where the people live. Nowadays a lot of tea is grown in the buffer zone because gorillas do not like tea, therefore they go back into the forest instead of eating whatever they can find in the farmers gardens.
Visit Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale
More of what to see in Bwindi gorilla park is the lava dammed Lake Bunyonyi, a stunning stretch of water with 29 little islands dispersed throughout, overlooked by the volcanoes. It is one of the safest lakes in Africa for activities such as swimming and canoeing. On a boat ride, look out for “akampene” – the punishment island – where until 1940’s unmarried pregnant girls (getting pregnant before marriage was against cultural norms) were dropped.
Cultural Performances
This must be on your list of what to see in Bwindi gorilla Park. In the evenings you can attend performances of fascinating traditional women’s groups’ presentation. The proceeds will be invested in the welfare of families around the park.
Mountain Bike Rides – Buhoma Area
Ride 4 a Woman which is a community support group offers mountain bike rentals and guided bike in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Buhoma area of the park. You can even do the Village Walk on a bike with a guide. There are Birding Bike Rides, or simply a ride into the Forest such as the Ivy River Trail. The average Bike Ride is 3 hours or longer in length with much to see along the trail or road.
Walking Safaris in Nkuringo
Among what to see in bwindi gorilla park is the Walking Safaris in Nkuringo. We believe that the best way to see Uganda is on foot; especially where there are hardly any roads and the nature barely touched. Nkuringo is a perfect example of this and we have designed some hikes which are led by our expert guides who are well conversant with the area’s flora and fauna and culture. It is possible to get a taste of this area with some shorter treks.