The Ivy River trail is 13 km long hiking trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). Ivy River trail is notably the oldest hiking trail that passes through the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and connects Buhoma and Nkuringo regions. It is often hiked by tourists on gorilla trekking tour in Buhoma. The hikes are often done after gorilla trekking in Buhoma meaning nature enthusiasts can include Ivy River trail hiking tour on their gorilla safari itineraries.
Length of the hike & what to see
Hiking on the Ivy river trail takes about 4-6 hours and trail connects Buhoma to Nkuringo sector. The extensive hike through this scenic route brings you to great interaction. You can come across the different mammals, meet the locals especially the Batwa pygmies, view the scenic water sources, and more.
Expect to see wildlife like the red-tailed monkeys, elephants, giant forest hogs, buffaloes, bush pigs, blue monkeys, duikers, olive baboons, and chimpanzees.
Birds to expect to encounter on a guided hike through the Ivy River trail include the bronze sunbird, olive thrush, common waxbill, grey apalis, tiny sunbird, Rwenzori nightjars, African harrier hawks, olive woodpeckers, great blue turacos, bronze sunbird, yellow bishops, collared sunbird, black billed weavers, pied crows, scarce swift, cape robin chat, and tit hylia.
What to carry for your hike
Items to include on your Ivy River trail hiking expedition include waterproof hiking boots, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved shirts, a pair of binoculars, bottled drinking water, trousers, a camera, daypack, insect repellents, a sweater, and others.
When to go hiking Ivy River trail in Buhoma
Hiking tours to explore the Ivy River trail can be organized and done at any time of the year. However, the dry season is the best time to experience a smooth hiking adventure on the Ivy River trail and this begins from June to September or December to February. It is around the dry months when Bwindi records low rainfall and the forest floor remains drier with clear vegetation cover.
Other visitors may also prefer visiting the park for hiking adventures during the wet or rainy season, especially those on budget. But the challenge about the wet/rainy season is that too much rainfall is experienced and often, the floor can be slippery or muddy. The vegetation cover can be dense making it challenging to have a complete hike and also capturing the best pictures.
What else to do
Gorilla trekking: Visitors can also engage in the thrilling gorilla trekking expedition in Buhoma or Nkuringo. The two sectors feature already habituated gorilla groups worth exploring by enthusiastic primate trekkers. You can be part of the great gorilla trekking experience if you have a valid permit and each costs USD 800 per visitor.
Birding: Over 350 bird species are hosted in Bwindi and include many Albertine rift endemics. Birds of interest in Bwindi include the Rwenzori turacos, Shelley’s crimsonwing, African green broadbill, dusky crimsonwing, strange weaver bird, Yellow-eyed black flycatchers, Grauer’s warbler’, Red-faced woodland warblers, Lagden’s bush shrikes, Regal sunbird, Mountain masked apalis, Short tailed warblers, Chestnut-throated apalis, Brown-capped weaver bird, and black bee-eaters.
Additional bird species in Bwindi include Kivu ground thrush, Western green tinker bird, African wood owl, handsome francolins, White-bellied robin-chat, Short tailed warblers, Shelley’s greenbul, Fine-banded woodpeckers, Rwenzori nightjars, Dwarf honey guide, and Mountain yellow warblers.
Batwa experience: Embark on a cultural tour and explore more about the Batwa pygmies also renowned as the original forest keepers/dwellers. Explore how they lived for 1000s of years in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, discover their ancient hunting and gathering techniques as well experience great entertainment as they display unique dances.
Cycling: Visitors can also be part of the enriching cycling tours in the nearby community and around the park borders. A guided cycling expedition brings you on a close interaction with local communities and expect to observe residents as carryon with their daily activities.
Accommodation options
When planning for your hiking adventure in the Ivy River trail, you should also think about where to stay. The possible accommodation options exist around Buhoma region and they range from budget to luxury. They include Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, and Engagi Lodge. You can also opt for Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and many others.
How to get there
By road: You can drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Buhoma/Nkuringo about 8-9 hours’ drive in a 4WD vehicle. Or depart from Kigali via Katuna/Chanika border approximately 4-5 hours’ drive to Buhoma/Nkuringo region.
By air: Take a flight arranged by your expert and departure point can be Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip. Upon arrival, you will meet an experienced driver guide to take you to the lodge pre-booked by your safari company/tour operator.