Every day, starting from 9:00 a.m. and also 2:00 p.m., enjoy nature walks in Bwindi National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in Uganda, but in the southwestern part. The similarity of a nature walk to a Bwindi gorilla trekking tour is that it is a guided experience done on foot. Inside Bwindi forest, you start with a briefing session, organized by the park ranger. This is a time to gain knowledge on how to start and complete a nature walk successfully. Remember, this is a jungle with so many dangerous and vulnerable wildlife species, including the mountain gorilla.
Why do a Nature Walk?
It is immensely cheaper than a gorilla trek to offer an immersive encounter with so many natural wonders. The natural wonders you can see include waterfalls, open waters, mountains, primates, birds, mammals and butterflies etc. Without specific landmark, flora or fauna to see, such a tour makes it so compelling to experience. There is a chance you might encounter a gorilla family, which is the most popular attraction at Bwindi. Also, a nature walk is one way to soak in some cool fresh air, a different atmosphere from busy city streets.
Popular Nature Trails in Bwindi.
There is a range of trails for nature walks in Bwindi National Park for visitors to walk on. But, we can describe a few of them. They include,
Kashasha River Trail
It is 17 kilometers and passes through the forest at Nkuringo park office to the Buhoma sector. The hilly terrain along the Kashasha River trail offers 6-7 hours of walking. Meanwhile, you pass via indigenous people’s gardens, Afromontane forests and others. Biodiversity species to sight include primate species, bird species, flora and butterflies etc.
Ivy River Trail
The Ivy River Trail is 14 kilometers from the Nkuringo Sector, until Buhoma in the north. A lot of flora and fauna can be seen along the way. Travelers often sight duikers, forest pigs and giant forest hogs among others along Ivy trail
Munyanga River Trail
Follow the Munyaga River towards Munyaga Falls on this 5 kilometer trail in Bwindi forest. This is an ideal trail for travelers with limited time at Bwindi. It offers more than you would expect for such a short trail. There are lots of epiphytes, lianas, primates like monkeys, and the waterfalls among others.
Muzabajiro Loop Trail
This is a 6 kilometer trail situated in the Buhoma Sector of the park. While on your guided nature walk, you will not miss the sight of primates, birds, butterflies and so much more. L’hoest’s monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys are so common on this trail. Birds are plenty and there are high chances of sighting cuckoos, African grey parrots and great blue turacos. Along the Muzabajiro loop trail you can climb the summit of Rukubira hill. You can also view the Virunga volcanoes and the Albertine Rift Valley.
Bamboo Trail
Birders and ornithologists will love this trail for their nature walks in Bwindi National Park. It takes you to relatively elevated terrain where you can see a lot of birds. The bamboo trail rises up to 2,607 meters above sea level at Rwamunyonyi Hill. Therefore, it offers some of the most challenging walks in the forest.
Rushura Hill Trail
Found in Buhoma, this trail offers 6-7 kilometers of walking to a maximum altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level. Views of both lakes, George and Edward are offered. Travelers who chose to walk along the Rushura trail get the opportunity to view a lot. Physical features like the Rwenzori mountains, Lake Edward and the Albertine Rift Valley can be observed.
Cost of Bwindi Nature Walk?
For nature walks in Bwindi National Park, you will pay only $40 if you are a foreign nonresident. For a foreign resident a $30 fee is charged, while 30,000 Uganda shillings is for the East African Community. Bear in mind that these rates only apply for the activity. But you will also need to pay for park entrance. The cost of Bwindi park entrance is $40 for foreign nonresident and $30 for a foreign resident. For Rest of Africa and East African Community, the rates are $25 and 20,000 Uganda shillings respectively.
How to Travel for Bwindi Nature Walk?
The truth about traveling to Bwindi is that you can only use 2 modes of transport, which are road or air. Here is why road transport is loved by most travelers: it offers scenic views from start to finish. But, you drive for a significantly longer distance, that is 501 kilometers from Kampala through Masaka, Mbarara and Kabale etc. On the other hand, air transport is more of a luxury mode. Yet, you only travel for 1 hour 15 minutes. That is when your flight starts from Entebbe International Airport to either Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip. From the airstrip you will need to use road transportation to complete the journey to Bwindi. It takes you less than 2 hours of driving.
Best time to visit Bwindi?
For decades, travelers believe that the dry season is the best period to go for nature walks in Bwindi National Park. While this period offers the best conditions to walk in the forest, visits can be done all year around. What is loved about the dry season, is that the rains are far less frequent compared to the wet season. This is good to ensure that nature trails remain drier and less slippery. If rainfall is rare, travelers can have continuous nature walks without pauses. With clear skies, the forest is not dark thus flora or fauna are clearly visible. Dry seasons in a year mostly fall between June to August and December to February.
