Activities

Nearby Attractions and Things to Do Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda

Attractions

Waking up early to start your days adventuring with freshly cleaned and dried boots and clothes ready and waiting for you, along with a fresh coffee and the crisp jungle air: this is the quintessence of luxury adventure travel.

And then there are the little things; sitting around the campfire at night, the sounds from the surrounding forest a constant reminder that you're far from civilisation.

The Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience Mountain gorillas are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. However viewing success rates are over 90%. Once sighted, visitors are allowed an hour with the gorillas.

Overnighting in Bwindi is required the night before trekking due to your early morning start. As trekking can sometimes take a full day, a second nights accommodation is also highly recommended. Ideally 2 to 3 nights are suggested to enjoy this region.

Gorilla tracking timings and conditions vary tremendously as the gorillas move continuously through the rain forest.

It is good to be prepared and remember the weather can change with very little warning. The terrain is often steep and through areas where there are no marked paths.

It can be very strenuous – it may be just a couple of hours but it can also be for a full day of up to 8 hours or more of hiking in hot, high altitude conditions – please be prepared for this by being as fit as possible and discuss any doubts regarding your ability to cope with the trek before arriving in Uganda so we can make the best individual arrangement for you

Buhoma in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a full day’s drive from Entebbe or Kampala, six hours drive from Lake Mburo National Park, two hours drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park

Twice daily scheduled light-aircraft flights land at the nearby Kihihi airstrip approximately 90-120 minutes’ drive from Buhoma, depending upon road conditions.

It is also possible to charter a flight to Kihihi from Entebbe or various locations around Uganda or other major hubs in East Africa.

Tradition Meets Adventure Indulge in authentic African experiences cuisine, music, dance, and drama. Immerse in Kigezi and Uganda's vibrant history. Explore medicinal plants, African worship, and unique traditions. A truly unforgettable cultural journey.

Cultural Performances Experience the rich cultural heritage of the communities through traditional dance and music performances.

Golden monkey Golden monkeys bring ecological vitality to their habitat. Observe their harmonious blend of natural beauty.

Canoeing at Lake Mutanda Paddle through the calm waters of the lake, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Mountain Climbing Experience the thrill of conquering the towering peaks of the world's most iconic mountains, testing your courage and determination in the process.

Nature Walks Nature walks in Bwindi provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area.

Forest Walks with a Guide Guided forest walks in Bwindi's dense forests are an excellent way to discover the area's rich biodiversity.

Boat Cruise Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Mutanda at the foot of Virunga mountain ranges. Visit the famed “Skeleton Island” where the Abajesera clan embalmed their honored elders after death. Stop for lunch on Kaboko Peninsula and learn about the local culture.

This is also a great trip to see otters and water birds throughout the cruise and to float past fishermen in dugout canoes.

Experience the serenity of nature with the gentle mountain breeze, the melodic chirping of birds, and the ethereal sight of clouds drifting through the lodge. Your private balcony serves as a front-row seat to these unforgettable vistas, ensuring that the memories you create here will last a lifetime.

Gorilla families in Uganda that are habituated (made accustomed to human contact) are 23, and Rushaga boasts 8 of those 23, meaning it has the highest concentration of Gorilla families at 35%. This means trekking from Rushaga sector gives you the highest possible chance of seeing these magnificent creatures.

Gorilla Trekking This is a bucket list item that will leave you changed forever. The tracking experience involves moving on foot in the thick forest and crossing over streams: a brisk hike in pursuit of the elusive gentle giants.

It begins at dawn where you receive a briefing on the day’s activity before venturing into the Impenetrable Forest with your guides. Once the gorillas are located, you get to spend one hour with our closest cousins and this is truly what makes this experience so special.

From seeing the big silverback, to the mothers gently carrying their babies, and the playful young gorilla – the hour spent around a gorilla family is simply unforgettable. There are 23 gorilla families in Uganda that are habituated and trackable, with a maximum of 8 people allowed to track per gorilla family per day.

Gorilla Habituation Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only habitat where the gorilla habituation experience can be had in the whole of Africa. Mountain gorilla habituation is the process whereby the gorillas are taken through a period of getting familiar and comfortable with human presence, a process which takes about two years. Tourists can join the conservationists, researchers and rangers in their daily routines for an encounter of the wild mountain gorillas.

The gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi forest should be booked through a tour operator prior and a permit purchased early.

Birdwatching Bwindi Forest is recognized as Africa’s foremost birding destination: home of over 320 bird species that are native to the area. Visitors are entertained with sounds and melody of birds including the Graver’s Rush Warbler, Western Tinkerbird, African Wood Owl, Archer’s Robin-chat, Fine-banded Wood Pecker, Handsome Francolin, Chestnut Throated Apalis, Regal sunbird, Collared Apalis, Kivu Ground-Thrush, Chapin’s Fly Catcher, African Green Broadbill and so many more. Pack your binoculars, have your notepad and camera ready for the Ultimate Birding Experience.

Batwa Indigenous Forest People Experience The Batwa were the original human inhabitants of the Bwindi Forest, and lived in harmony with mountain gorillas for millennia. Engage with the Batwa community and gain insight into their traditional lifestyle, customs, and rich cultural heritage. Participate in their vibrant dances, listen to captivating ancient stories, and learn the art of bow and arrow making and spear throwing as they used them in hunting activities.

As dusk sets in, gather and learn traditional ways of how they used to get fire in the forest, savor the taste of roasted meat prepared by batwa elders, enhancing your overall cultural immersion. Let the rhythmic beats of batwa songs and dances captive your senses, making this a truly unforgettable experience.

Hiking And Nature Walks Don’t miss this opportunity to go on an enchanted walk, with clear views of Bwindi hills and Virunga volcanoes. Other hidden treasures you’ll learn about include the various medicinal plants, unique flora, and diverse wildlife of Bwindi that call this forest home.

Move right up to the edge of the forest with the community guide to find giant labialias and wild tree ferns, spot birds and primates, encounter enchanted trees that have been untouched for millennia, and learn the secrets of the Batwa traditional Forest culture and find how they live today.

While on this nature walk keep your eyes peeled to see wildlife species including Black and White Colobus, L’hoest’s monkey and the rare Blue monkey, small antelopes like the Duiker and a variety of different bird species especially Albertine Rift Endemics

Coffee Experience Ever wondered where your morning coffee comes from? Get to know the process of coffee making right from digging, planting, weeding, harvesting till it’s ready for consumption.

You can engage in a number of activities and get first hand experience. Join the team that does picking, sorting, roasting, grinding and even have a taste of your own freshly picked coffee!

From planting a coffee tree all the way to the black blew that gets you up in the morning: a good cup of coffee starts with a good coffee tree. Learn how coffee is produced at farm, prepare and roast your own bag of coffee from our berries. An experience unlike any other.

Airports Near by Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda

Entebbe International Airport (EBB) 49.2 miles Kihihi Airstrip 37 km Ruhengeri Airport 48 km Goma International Airport 79 km

Railway stations

• Kampala Railway Station

Most popular cities Near by Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda

• Kisoro
• Kabale
• Kanungu
• Mbarara
• Rukugiri

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