Kashasha River trail is one of the best hiking trails you should expect to explore in Buhoma sector. Kashasha River trail is found in the Northern region in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda. Kashasha trail is known to offer the breathtaking scenery of the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Kashasha River trail is 17 km long and is popular for its challenging hiking experiences. Compared to the Ivy River trail, the Kashasha trail requires a little more fitness to have a round hike considering its hilly terrains.
How long can you hike through Kashasha River trail
The Kashasha River trail requires about 6-7 hours for you to experience the best of hiking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The hike involves connecting to the Nkuringo region in the Southern end of the park and Buhoma area in the Northern section of Bwindi National Park.
The Kashasha River trail is exceptional in that visitors get a chance to explore the Buhoma-Nkuringo path. Thus allowing you to enjoy incredible views of many floral species, birds, and colorful butterfly species.
What to expect to encounter on Kashasha River trail hike in Bwindi
Embarking on the guided hike along the Kashasha River trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers you a chance to explore a range of wildlife. The likely species to spot on a guided hike on the Kashasha River trail include buffaloes, chimpanzees, bushbucks, elephants, duikers, baboons, and warthogs.
The Kashasha River trail also offers great bird sightings to enthusiastic birders on a safari in Uganda. On a guided walk through the Kashasha River trail, expect to spot birds such as black kite, Rwenzori turacos, and hornbills. Other birds include African jacanas, hadada ibis, purple herons, grey-crowned cranes, Great blue turacos, lesser honey guide, and olive pigeons, etc.
What to carry on Kashasha River trail hiking tour
Things to expect to carry for your Kashasha River trail hiking adventure include long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, gardening gloves, waterproof hiking shoes, a pair of gaiters, insect repellents, and a pair of binoculars. Additional items to carry include a pack of energy giving snacks, backpack, a sweater, bottled drinking water, and many others.
Best time to go for Kashasha River trail hiking tour
To experience the best of the Kashasha River trail hiking adventure, the dry season is the best time to embark on guided walking tour on this trail. The dry season in Bwindi National Park usually falls around June, July, August to September then December, January to February. The peak dry season is characterized by low/no rainfall making it easier for visitors to walk through the jungle.
It is also possible to embark on a guided walk through the Kashasha trail around the wet/rainy season that is from March to May and October to November. However, the challenge with these months is that they record heavy rains making it challenging for you to enjoy a smooth walk.
Where to stay
When choosing a place to stay, we recommend that you book a safari lodge around Buhoma and Nkuringo region. There are many options to choose ranging from budget, midrange to luxury. They include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Haven Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, and Nshongi Camp, etc.
Getting there
To explore Kashasha River trail, you need to travel to Bwindi. Access to Bwindi can be by road or air. By road, nature enthusiasts can drive from Kampala/Entebbe via Masaka-Mbarara-Buhoma region about 8-9 hours. Or set off from Kigali capital via Katuna/Chanika to Buhoma which is 4-5 hours’ drive. Visitors interested in hiking Kashasha can also take a flight from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro/Kihihi airstrip.