« Bwindi Tourism | Main | Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Uganda »

Bwindi Tours, Bwindi Trails

By admin | January 22, 2008

Around the park:
Buhoma:
Bwindi’s busiest tourism site is Buhoma on the Northern edge of the forest. It is the-trailhead for tracking three gorilla groups and a wide range of accommodation is available. Though gorilla tracking is the main attraction, a range of other walks provide more relaxed opportunities to spot birds and monkeys while exploring one of Uganda’s loveliest rainforests. These walks can be arranged to depart in the morning at 9:00am and the afternoon at 2:15pm.

§    Munyanga River Trail in the valley below Buhoma provides an ideal short walk to view birds and primates along the forest edge.
§    Waterfall Trail leads through one of Uganda’s most pristine tracts of rainforest, passing beneath tree ferns, epiphytic ferns and orchids, to visit three sparkling water falls.
§    Rushura Hill Trail provides expansive views across the plains of the Western Rift Valley to the west and (on clear day0 Lake Edward and the Rwenzori to the north.
§    Muzabajiro Loop climbs to the summit of Rukubira Hill for breathtaking views of Bwindi forest, the Western Rift Valley and the Virunga volcanoes.
§    River Ivi Trail follows an old road through beautiful forest emerging near Nkuringo on the Southern edge of the forest. It is highly recommended for bird watchers.

Buhoma community walk and cultural performances:
The local community operates a village walk, which takes up to three hours. This immerses visitors in village life. Sites visited include a typical homestead, the traditional healer and a banana beer brewery. Local dance groups also perform traditional dance and music in the evenings by arrangement. Proceeds from these events are used for community development projects.

Nkuringo:
As the crow flies, Buhoma is just 10km from Bwindi’s second gorilla-tracking location at Nkuringo on the Southern edge of the forest. However, this is covered by the Impenetrable Forest and the lovely walk between the two sites takes at least four hours. The Nkuringo trailhead lies on the isolated Nteko Ridge, which enjoys grandstand views across Bwindi Forest to the North and towards the Virunga volcanoes in the South.

Gorilla tracking is the primary activity at Nkuringo. Visitors should be fit as the park boundary lies in a steep valley 600m below the road. This provides good exercise before and after tracking gorillas.

Nkuringo Community Walk:
Villagers at Nkuringo operate a community walk that visits a traditional healer, rural homestead, blacksmith, and brewers.

Ruhija:
Visitors with their own vehicles should consider crossing the centre of the park from Buhoma park headquarters through Ruhija (a 4WD is essential). This ridge-top route offers vistas into deep valleys containing undisturbed rainforest. Watch out for duiker, primates and both forest and grassland bird species.
At Ruhija, birders should take the three-hour hike to visit the Mubwindi swamp. Visitors may also climb through the bamboo zone to find Afromontane vegetation and panoramic views towards Lake Bunyonyi and Mafuga forest.

Topics: bwindi |

Comments