It’s undeniable that Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park is a must visit on all Uganda safaris complementing other tourism spots all over the country. The national park is extensively known for gorilla tours being the home to the highest population of mountain gorillas in the world.  Each day, thousands of travelers flock into this impenetrable forest to enjoy this memorable encounter with the critically endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. The forest is a home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas, which have been habituated in 12 gorilla families available for trekking everyday. The other populations of mountain gorillas live in Virunga conservation area shared   by Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.  Much as Bwindi is famous for gorilla treks the national park offers much more than mountains gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park is blessed with a variety of attractions and activities, which together make a complete safari package to satisfy and exceed every travelers needs.

Activities in Bwindi include beyond mountain gorillas
Mountain gorilla habituation experience
It’s in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park where travelers can enjoy the memorable gorilla habituation experience.  Here travelers have a chance to spend four hours roughly half day with these critically endangered species. Gorilla habituation is an act of training wild gorillas before they are opened up to travelers. In Habituation a group of 4 travelers hike together with park rangers, conservationist, gorilla doctors and researchers to train wild gorillas making them familiar with human presence. Like in gorilla trekking, each traveler taking part in the habituation experience is required to have a valid permit, which cost 1500usd. The cost of a gorilla habituation experience make it quite expensive compared to gorilla trekking but the experience is worth it.  At present, 2 gorilla families namely Bushaho and Bikyingi family which are all in Rushaga sector south of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.

Forest walks
Exploring Bwindi impenetrable forest national park on foot is the best way to enjoy nature.  Armed park rangers guide travelers to different spots within the forest such as waterfalls such as Muyanga waterfall in buhoma, rivers and rocks located at different spots. Various tracks have been made in the forest starting and ending at respective points. A forest walk/ hike is the best way to enjoy a calm, and peaceful environment accompanied with sweet sounds of birds singing up in the trees. Also, a forest walk is an opportunity for travelers to meet and interact with other wild animals such as colubus monkeys, forest elephants, bush pig and baboons among other animals. Forest walks are normally done in the morning and evening hours when animals are active browsing u in the jungle.  Also, forest walks expose travelers with lots of colorful butterflies, tree ferns, epiphytic ferns, orchids and ferns among other vegetation in the park.

Bird watching
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is a home to over 340 bird species some of which are endemic to the area. Experienced birders help you spot different birds, which fly continuously above you.  The most seen birds include African emerald cuckoo, Red headed blue bill, Shinning African blue, White tailed blue flycatcher, Western green tinker bird, Francolin white tailed crested, Rwenzori batis, Flycatcher, Short tailed warbler, Collared apalis, fine banded woodpecker chestnut throated apalis, African emerald, Shinning African blue, grauer’s rush warbler, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater and Blue headed sun bird among others. Binoculars are recommended as the help to zoom far away birds closer.

Community visits
Travelers are guided to local communities adjacent to the national park.  Most of these local people were the initial dwellers of the forest that were chased out when the forest was transformed into national park.  Batwa pygmies demonstrate their traditional forest life like hunting, fruit gathering and collecting honey, which expand their knowledge about these indigenous people. Also, travelers get a chance to take part in local activities such as preparing local food, cultivation and traditional dances which make them part of the local community an experience for a lifetime.

Scenic viewing
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is good for scenic viewing. The national park is surrounded by local communities, local p[people’s homes, gardens and Virunga volcanoes and activities   which really look beautiful. A stand at one of the lodges rewards you with spectacular views of these volcanoes. The mots seen volcanoes are Mt Muhabura, Mt Gahinga and Mt Sabyinyo in Mgahinga gorilla national park and Mt karisimbi in volcanoes national park. 

In conclusion, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park offers it all to meet, satisfy and exceed every travelers expectations. Book a Uganda safari to Bwindi, enjoy gorilla treks, habituation experience, nature forest walks and community visits all rewarding you with a lifetime experience.