Walking Safaris from Buhoma to Nkuringo

Walking Safaris from Buhoma to Nkuringo – A Trek into the Heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Embarking on the Less-Traveled Path

Experience the wild side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest through an extraordinary walking safari from Buhoma to Nkuringo. Venture off the beaten track and immerse yourself in the heart of this lush jungle paradise. Guided by expert naturalists, you’ll uncover the secrets of Bwindi’s flora and fauna as you traverse this dense jungle on foot. While this trek takes around 6 to 7 hours, it promises a remarkable journey filled with discoveries.

A Journey from Buhoma to Nkuringo: The Trek Details

Your adventure commences in Buhoma, situated in the northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. From here, you’ll head north through the captivating forest, accompanied by your knowledgeable trek leader, as you make your way to Nkuringo in the southern part of the park. Along this route, you’ll gain insights into the myriad of plants and wildlife that call this forest home, offering you a fresh perspective of this remarkable ecosystem.

It’s important to note that this trek can be undertaken in either direction, but typically, this route presents an uphill climb from Buhoma to Nkuringo and a downhill descent from Nkuringo to Buhoma.

Discovering Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: A Natural Wonder

Nestled in the southwestern region of Uganda, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park boasts a unique charm. This pristine forest shares its western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is conveniently located 29 kilometers from Kabale town to the southeast.

Spanning an area of 331 square kilometers, Bwindi National Park is situated in the elevated heights of the Kigezi highlands, with an altitude ranging from 1,190 to 2,607 meters above sea level. Impressively, approximately 60% of this enchanting park is situated at elevations exceeding 2,000 meters above sea level. The highest point in the park is Rwamunyonyi hill at its eastern edge, while the lowest portion is found at its northern tip.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest gained worldwide recognition primarily for its incredible mountain gorilla population. This dense forest is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, with more than 360 individuals thriving here. Unfortunately, these gentle giants are critically endangered due to factors such as poaching, habitat loss, and diseases. Nonetheless, Bwindi National Park stands as one of Uganda Wildlife Authority’s top revenue-generating national parks.

Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Guided Nature Walks:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers an array of nature walks along different trails, revealing the forest’s beauty, waterfalls, swamps, and rivers. These walks provide opportunities to spot other primates, such as black monkeys, blue monkeys, and colobus monkeys, enhancing your experience beyond gorilla trekking.

Gorilla Trekking:

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is renowned for its mountain gorilla families, offering visitors the chance to encounter these majestic creatures. Each family can be booked for a maximum of eight tourists per group per day. Gorilla trekking can vary in duration, taking anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, with a permitted one-hour visitation time once the gorillas are found. A single Gorilla Trekking permit costs USD 600.00 per permit per trek.

Gorilla Habituation Experience:

For those interested in a deeper understanding of mountain gorillas, Bwindi National Park offers the Gorilla Habituation Experience. This four-hour experience allows you to observe researchers habituating gorillas, providing insights into their daily lives. The Gorilla Habituation Permit costs USD 1,500.00 per person per trek, with the four hours beginning upon finding fresh gorilla trails.

Bird Watching:

Bwindi boasts over 346 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Species such as the honey guide, dusky crimson, yellow eye, black flycatcher, and bar-tailed trogon are among the many fascinating birds you can spot.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by road from Kampala/Entebbe or by air, flying from Kigali International Airport in Rwanda to Kisoro Airstrip, which is a quicker alternative. The park is accessible year-round, ensuring a fantastic experience at any time.

Encounter the Batwa Pygmies of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

During your visit to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, the Batwa Experience, or Pygmies walk, is an exceptional excursion you shouldn’t miss. Before Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was designated as a national park, this tropical rainforest was inhabited by the Batwa people, known as the original dwellers and guardians of this pristine environment. The forest was gazetted as a national park in 1993, leading to the relocation of the Batwa from the forest to nearby villages and small towns.

Exploring Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: A Jewel in Uganda’s Crown

Established in 1991, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of Uganda’s most remarkable national parks, nestled in the Kisoro region. Covering an area of about 33.7 square kilometers, it stands as the smallest protected area in Uganda. Despite its size, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a treasure trove of unique wildlife, including endangered mountain gorillas, rare golden monkeys, diverse bird species, and more.

Hiking Adventures and Guided Nature Walks

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers the chance to explore its captivating landscapes. Hike through the dense forest to Sabyinyo gorge, renowned for birding safaris and a chance to glimpse the Rwenzori Turaco. Hikes in the Rugezi area, known for birding, allow you to explore different vegetation zones along the Congo border and encounter several calderas. Don’t miss the opportunity to spot the elusive golden monkeys in the Bamboo jungle.

Cultural Encounters

After your mesmerizing mountain gorilla experience, take the time to visit the cultural communities surrounding the national park and interact with the Batwa people. This immersive Batwa trail allows you to delve into their rich cultural heritage and gain a deeper understanding of their ancient way of life. The experience of being in their cave is truly remarkable and may leave you longing for another visit.

Trek Africa Tours can help you organize walking safaris from Buhoma to Nkuringo, offering a unique connection between your gorilla trek and a memorable journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.