Visit Uganda for a captivating gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Lake Mburo National Park tours. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park spans 331 square kilometers within the Albertine Rift Valley. The park is located in southwestern Uganda and is one of the best places in Africa to see gorillas in the wild. There are at least 459 mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which comprises almost half of the global mountain gorilla population. Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are done in Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo sectors.
Bwindi sits on elevations that range from 1,160-2,607 meters above sea level. The Vegetation in Bwindi is dense tropical jungles, Afromontane forests, and bamboo with thick undergrowth and a plush canopy. These provide habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas, forest elephants, antelopes, chimpanzees, buffalos, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, Rwenzori turaco, and Rwenzori batis to mention but a few. Besides gorilla trekking tours you could engage in birdwatching excursions, gorilla habituation experiences, Batwa trail experiences, nature walks, and many others.
The climate at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is tropical, characterized by two distinct dry and wet seasons. The park experiences two wet seasons, one occurring from March to May, and the second from September to November. Bwindi receives an average annual rainfall that ranges from 1,400-1,900 millimeters. Also, the dry seasons at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park occur from December to February and June to August. These rains have relatively lower rainfall quantities compared to the wetter months.
The distance of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda is at least 498 kilometers by road. A visitor can reach by both road and air transportation. By road takes 10-11 hours via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale highway to reach the park headquarters.
On the more convenient air transport, a scheduled flight takes 1-2 hours from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to the nearby Kihihi, Kisoro, and Kayonza Airstrips. From Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is at least 196 kilometers via Kabale-Katuna, a 5-hour scenic road trip.
Lake Mburo National Park is at least 260 square kilometers in size and is at least 228 kilometers from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Lake Mburo National Park is home to at least 68 species of mammals, and about 350 species of birds. Lake Mburo National Park is the only place in Uganda to view impalas and zebras in the wild. Other animals include topis, crocodiles, hippos and buffalos, hyenas, giraffes, elands, leopards, and many others. The birds include the mosque swallow, heron, African fish eagle, shoebill, and Ruppell’s sterling to mention but a few.
Lake Mburo National Park offers a chance for a visitor to engage in game drives, birdwatching, nature walks, boat rides, sport fishing, cultural encounters, and cycling among others. A visitor can also explore the landscape dominated by acacia woodland, 5 lakes, swamps, savannah grasslands, and others. Additionally, the equator monument is explored on your way after a Lake Mburo National Park tour.
Lake Mburo National Park experiences a tropical climate with two marked seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy seasons are experienced between March to May and September to November. Lake Mburo National Park receives a bimodal low rainfall that ranges between 500-1000 millimeters. The dry seasons at Lake Mburo National Park typically occur from December to March and from June to August.
Visitors can access Lake Mburo National Park for safaris via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara highway. This is a 235-kilometer road trip that takes 4-5 hours from Kampala city center. Air transportation is more convenient for a much shorter trip. A visitor takes a booked chartered and scheduled flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Sanga Airstrip in Lake Mburo. This can also be done at Kigali International Airport in Kigali.
Optimal time to visit Uganda for Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Mburo National Park tours
Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Mburo National Park tours are conducted throughout the year but with the optimal time being the dry seasons. Dry seasons in Bwindi and Lake Mburo National Parks typically occur from December to February and June to August.
During the dry seasons, the roads are dry and navigable compared to the muddy and slippery roads of the rainy seasons. Additionally, the vegetation in both parks is less dense which offers better viewing experiences of wildlife compared to the rainy seasons, during which the vegetation is relatively denser to shade the wild animals.
Additionally, the dry season leads to a scarcity of water sources which forces wildlife to gather around a few of them thus making it easier to encounter.
Packing for Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo tours
- Strong hiking boots with a firm grip to suit all terrain
- Insect or Mosquito repellent
- Long-sleeved shirt or blouse that is lightweight and made of dull-colored material
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Wide-brimmed hat/cap
- Rain jacket
- Basic first-aid kit
- Guidebook, GPS, and map
