The Bwindi Impenetrable national park is one of the remaining ancient thick rain forests of East and central Africa. Was declared a “World Heritage Site” in 1994 by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its rich bio-diversity. The park is home to half a population of world’s rare and critically endangered mountain gorilla species, as well as other wildlife species like Chimpanzees, lots of monkey species, forest Elephants, Antelopes, birds including endemic birds, among many.
Popular tours to Bwindi forest are majorly gorilla trekking tours and these attract travelers from all over the world to meet the few remaining individuals of the most threatened species on planet. Meeting these incredible gentle giants in their natural habitat is a thrilling moment and a lifetime experience. Much as the rain forest found in the remotest of places in the world, there is improved eco-friendly infrastructure that cater for all kinds of travelers including luxury tourists.
In this discussion, we will be guiding you on how one can enjoy a luxury gorilla trekking tour to this Uganda’s far west park to explore this amazingly untouched part of the world with a luxury touch deep in the forested jungle of Africa.
Use a local flight to Kisoro Airstrip or Kihihi Airstrip
Bwindi is surrounded by two Airstrips, one in the north of the park (Kihihi Airstrip) and the other in the southwest (Kisoro Airstrip). The choice of airstrip to use will totally depend on which sector you’ll be trekking and this is clearly indicated on your gorilla trekking permit. The choice of safari lodge is also dependent on which sector you managed to secure your trekking permit, Bwindi has four sectors from which you can start your gorilla trek, Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhijah in the East, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south.
Gorilla trekking permits are on a higher demand especially during peak seasons of June to September and December to March, prior booking at least three months in advance in highly recommended. The permit will indicate the sector to trek but not the family, the family to trek will be assigned to you at the park station where you will start your trek.
Aerolink limited operates local flights from either Entebbe or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro or Kihihi near Bwindi Park. This is about 45minutes flight and guests will be picked by their travel agent driver guide to extend them to their preferred lodge, the drive can take between 30 minutes to one hour. The Kampala-Kihihi or Kisoro flight is for guests who are afraid of long driving hours about 8-9 hours while sited in the vehicle from Entebbe or Kampala.
Pay for a luxury suite
There are a couple of luxury lodges both in the north sectors and south sectors of the impenetrable park, these luxury accommodation units including a range luxury cottages to Executive suites or even presidential suites. Luxury lodges range from 3 star to even 4 – 5 star lodges with facilities such as Restaurant, library, Massage rooms, Spa, Steam birth, lounge, bar, fire place, fitness area, Swimming pool, sunbeds and umbrellas. These give you a splendid stay in the Jungle and complement your luxury gorilla trekking adventure to IUCN red list, World heritage site, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Request for an Exclusive Gorilla family to Visit
On a normal day, 8 persons above the age of 15 years are allowed to visit a single gorilla family in their natural habitat each day. With the company of at least 3 rangers, trekkers are allowed one hour stay with the gorilla family once they find them. However, for anyone looking to exclusively visit a family can seek firsthand information from Uganda Wildlife Authority directly (UWA) through their website or through a travel agent to know how much one can pay for exclusive gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Some gorilla companies like Gorilla hub tours limited are experts in exclusive gorilla trekking tours to gorilla hub destination.
Do Gorilla habituation Experience
This obviously the best alternative for luxury gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable national Park. Gorilla habituation experience in only done in Uganda and allows guests 4 hours in the presence of a mountain gorilla family, with the help of researchers. This exercise has no particular definition but an act of gently introduce a family of wild gorillas human presence, this involves following the family as they do their daily activities, emulate them like picking and eating a leaf not to look strange, interact like the way interact with each other. All this is done under the watchful eye of the dominant male, the silverback.
This unique experience costs $1,500 per person and offers a more relaxed and enriching encounter with the rare Mountain gorillas. You’ll feel less rushed if you are a primate enthusiastic as you will have plenty of time available for you to fully absorb this incredible wildlife experience. Wild gorillas are habituated by researchers who study the species, treat them for sickness and injuries, protect them from hunters, and boost their conservation efforts with sustainable tourism.
A double gorilla trek is Ideal
If you are primate enthusiastic, the best way to immerse yourself into this Africa’s adventure highlight – gorilla trekking is to opt for a double gorilla trekking experience in this impenetrable forest of Bwindi. Double mountain gorilla trek allows one to visit two different gorilla families in their natural habitat one day at a time. This option allows one to make a comparison between the two gorilla families, this is not common to trekkers in this IUCN world heritage site.
Exclusive visit to endangered Batwa family
While in Bwindi, reserve an afternoon to visit a community for one of the remarkable cultural emersions of the Batwa pygmy people who once lived and thrived in the gorilla forest. They so much depended on the forest for their survival, hunting and fruit gathering, medicinal plants and shelter. They were forcefully evicted from the land they owned for centuries without compensation and support in the process many lost life since they could not cope with life outside the forest. They are now squatters on the forest dotted land. A visit to one of the family is hope to this endangered tribe which is on verge of extinction as they can perform for you music and dance, demonstrate their hunting and fire making skills and you can as well buy some of their beautiful handmade craft as souvenir and gifts to your loved ones back home.