Hiking trails in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The Best Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Hiking Trails in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is famous for Mountain Gorilla Tracking, however, there is still more, not only Gorilla tracking. Several travelers are exploring the hikes and nature walks, trails that cross this earliest forest that is also known as the number one birding site for bird lovers in the all of Africa.

Most Bwindi impenetrable forest climbing Tracks & Nature treads are easy to adequate strength Tracks, and a few are hard and more of a trial.

Apart from the existence of mountain Gorillas and being housed in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it also shelters about a total of 120 species of mammals involving Primates such as the Chimpanzees, Black and White Colobus, Red-Tailed Guenon, L’Hoest’s Guenon, Baboons, Nocturnal Pro simians, Forest Elephants (hairier, smaller, smaller tusks, 1 extra toe on each foot), lesser antelopes like the Duikers, Bush pigs, Giant Forest Hogs, Several trivial species of Cats and note carefully that these endangered species of Chimpanzees in here are not tracked.

There is an existence of a number of bird species in this forest totaling to about 348 involving African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimson-wing. Others involve birds like the Francolin, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Green Tinkerbird, Mountain, and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls, Mountain Masked, and Chestnut –throated Apalises, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, White-browed Crombec, Ruwenzori Batis and White-tailed fly-catcher, to mention but a few. There is also a sheltered number of 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos and so on of which many you will spot on your Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Hiking activity.

Hiking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and beyond

The Hiking activity via Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can take approximately 1 day or the considered long hikes embarked from the North of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the South referred to as – Nkuringo, where one can stay overnight and proceed the following day down to picturesque of Lake Mutanda where you oar across in a wooden dugout and continue to the town of Kisoro.

This hike embarked from north – south – Bwindi Impenetrable or the opposite is a most satisfying 1/2 days for those that take the test.

The test’s hardest level is halfway and is from 5- 8 hrs in interval. There are 2 variations & both defined below: –

•  The Ivy River Trail
•  Kashasha River Trail

Hiking via the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a 2 Day do activity– 2 Day & hollow canoe safari across Lake Mutanda complements to the venture, one can also do Gorilla tracking at both ends of the park (Buhoma & Nkuringo)).

Munyanga River Trail-Buhoma Area

This directed track will take you length ways the picturesque Bizenga Creek which connects the Munyanga River to your start at Buhoma section and finish up from there.

An exceptional trail that Birders will find most satisfying with a fantastic Birding director at your side you will not error too many of the exclusive and widespread species of birds in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. (1/2 hrs in length – hardest level is easy – Location – Buhoma section)

This is an easy activity (hiking) and carries much with it in terms of what you spot in the Forest. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reason being that it has gotten plenty to offer.

Waterfall Trail-Buhoma

Discover the mysteries of Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, the fact that it contains the plants, trees, spot its butterflies, its birds exclusive to the section on this trace, it is always astonishing what you encounter along this trail.

It is a directed trail, and one of the most famous ones are the birds, butterflies, monkeys, picturesque beauty of the forest, your director will argue out things to you that you might not or error, and it will be a heartening part of your time at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Buhoma section of the park.

This trail was met to be a road leading to the town of Kisoro when the gentle giants and preservation were not an ideal for politicians, thank goodness it was never concluded, and you can relish it at present without vehicles. (3 hrs/ the longer – hardest level is inter-mediate – location – Buhoma section).

However, on this activity of hiking /trailing you are most likely to find several residents, and it is the most famous tourist hike.  There is another Waterfall Trail in the Rushaga section of Bwindi Impenetrable in the South.

Muzabajiro Loop Trail-Buhoma

Muzabajiro loop trail has gotten a high spot of which you soar via the forest to the Rukubira Hill and are satisfied with fabulous spots of the Virunga Volcanoes restraint – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Western Rift Valley below – another satisfying hike in the Buhoma section of Bwindi Impenetrable National forest. Remember that some traces in the Buhoma section of Bwindi Impenetrable forest can be completed by a mountain Bike of which you can rent from probably Ride 4 a woman self help group.

During the wet season is the finest time of the year to spot because at this time the area below is vacant of smoke from the villages that might vague the view. (The Trail is 3- 4 hrs in length – hardest level is intermediate-location Buhoma section).

Rushura Hill Trail

Rushura Hill is the highest mountain in the Buhoma section of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s preparatory/starting point is close to the Buhoma section Park headquarters, from then it purely is up via the detached fields, and forests to along the trail are picturesque spot points – once on topmost, you have implausible spots across the Western Rift Valley, the Virunga Volcanoes and Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest.

This is a most picturesque hike because it moves you to the topmost of a mountain from where you will have a fine spotting of the rotating places/environment.

The elevation on top is 1,915 meters to the hike, however, it is well worth it, as always on an extended walk, you are advised to carry with you a backpack with water and maybe something simply to eat. (3 to 4 hrs in length – hardest level is somewhat persistent -Location – Buhoma section).

Ivy River Trail

This trail tails an old road via the forest. This is a full day’s activity (hike) with raise increase & only a most tremendous encounter, we have had customers that have taken this trail after having been involved in the activity of Gorilla Tracking at the section of Buhoma and then also after reaching Nkuringo section.

It is a very picturesque route, spot points via the way, monkeys, bush pigs, butterflies, birds, villagers on the road or coming out of/from the market. This trail can also be started from Nkuringo section to Buhoma section.

Where does one start – Buhoma or Nkuringo?

It’s better/best if one begun from the section of Buhoma and hike towards Nkuringo section, stay overnight – track Gorillas the following day and on the next day proceed to Lake Mutanda and Kisoro town. (6 1/2 to 7 1/2 hrs in length –the hardest level – intermediate – Location –the beginning of this hike is either Buhoma section or Nkuringo section).

Kashasha River Trail

This trail does consume a period of about 4- 5 hrs in extent and once again you spot the earliest rain forest up close, this trail includes vertical slants especially if you take the Buhoma section- Nkuringo section route, it is approximately 600 meters up at the finish of the trail, your guides will argue/point out to you the wildlife, birds, plants, flowers, ferns, trees,etc.

The high spots along this trail are most spectacular. Surprisingly to transfer by vehicle from Buhoma section – Nkuringo section consumes 7 hrs plus and is much shorter taking the Kashasha River Trail. (5- 6 hrs in length – the hardest level – intermediate – The beginning of this hike is either Buhoma section/ Nkuringo section of the park).

Bamboo Trail

Hiking in this specific area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest implies a vertical climb hike up to about 2607 meters.  The plants and vegetation areas will continuously vary involving the Bamboo forest (14 different ones) until you get to the Afro-montane vegetation.  Grass and forest birds via the way, up to the topmost point within the park – Rwamunyonyi hill (2607 m)

The high spot from the topmost is incredibly attractive, Lake Bunyonyi – that enchanted – magical lake below – Mafuga Forest Reserve – Bwindi Forest – the Virunga Volcanoes it’s quite worth the hike-climb.

Ruhija section is approximately an hour and more from Buhoma section, if you embark on this hike, it is the finest, you stay in the Ruhija section of the park. (7 hrs in length – the hardest level – energetic – location – Ruhija section).

Mubwindi Swamp Trail 

This trail goes via a path inside the forest that inclines through the regal rain-forest with a picturesque spot points along the way of green valleys & the Virunga Volcano restraint. You might spot mammals like Forest Elephants, Chimpanzees, even Gorillas, Bushbucks, Monkeys, and Bush Pigs since they are all sheltered by the Bwindi Rain forest.

This part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and this hike in specifically, to Mubwindi Swamp requires a distinct authorization from the Uganda Wildlife Authority Staff in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Mubwindi Swamp Trail is a must do for bird lovers, and a well-informed guide will be at your side.

Before gorilla tracking activity was done in the Ruhija section of the park, Bird lovers gathered here. (Bird lovers can spend the whole day here-others a 4 – 5 hr hike – the hardest level – intermediate – location – Ruhija section.)

Hiking tips and advice

These 2 activities (Hiking & Nature walks) being engaged in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest take some grounding, wearing the right clothing, boots, etc.

Planning for a hike or nature walk will make it a lot more satisfying for you.  We can also help you in case you have gotten any questions and we would also love to help you in producing a travel plan that not only involves gorilla tracking but other several activities such as outlined above and a hike in/ through the forest might be right for you.

Hiking in Uganda purely varies from what you are used to, many hikes are in the varied rain forest, the altitude is higher, and in most cases, it is not hot, because of the raise of the park.

Our Advice on hitting the Bwindi Forest Hiking Trails

Once you are here and have engaged in the Gorilla Trekking activity, later on do spend a few extra nights in the area exploring the Park by ‘hitting the trails’ of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A number of travelers do not have any idea as to what they can feel as it regards hiking in the forest.

The hiking activity from Buhoma section to Nkuringo section is one of the most famous hikes with our customers, and some decide to track Gorillas in Buhoma section and the southern area of the park and the next day proceed or push through with the trek down to the picturesque Lake Mutanda and oar across it in a dugout canoe as in the days of old.