Top 5 activities to do in Bwindi & Mgahinga Parks besides Gorilla Trek
Of the ten National Parks in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park still stands amongst the most visited per year.
It’s not that there are the most fascinating but travelers flock in mainly with interest of beholding the rarely seen species of Gorillas. Meeting face to face with the giants of the Jungles is an unrivalled experience to remember for the rest of your time.
These two Parks are both found in the South western part of Uganda. Provide habitats to variety of Gorillas.
Gorilla trekking experience is everyone’s dream to achieve but most of travelers are hindered by the must have permit required, this permit in Uganda costs $600 USD per person usually booked in advance.
If you are among those limited by the Gorilla permit price tag, don’t worry it’s not the end, these two Parks still have other remarkable pursuits to turn your Safari in Uganda inimitable. Check out the list beneath.
Golden Monkey Tracking
If not Gorilla trekking, Golden monkey tracking can be a perfect alternative to occupy your days in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It rewards grand chances to encounter these species of the Old World monkey family.
Like Gorilla trekking, this expedition starts with a morning briefing at the Park offices to highlight trackers about all what it takes for the experience in the Jungles.
After, briefing the journey to the Jungle starts in a group following the trail heads to the Jungle with a park ranger guide to lead you through.
For this experience, there is no limit on the number of people to track but instead they depend on the number of people available for the excursion per day.
These primates are small in size which makes it difficult to locate where they spent the last night like it’s done for Gorillas. With that effect, trackers then trace for these species by fresh leftovers of bamboo shoot and stems.
Tracking for these primates is strenuous but rewarding if you fancy both primate and nature encounters. Physical fitness is an additional requirement for an ultimate Golden tracking experience to be achieved.
Distance moved in the Jungle and time taken depends on where these primates spent their last night. Lovers of Golden monkey photos are advised to set their cameras on fast shutter shot speed, because these primates are very active and Jumpy.
One hour is allowed while in presence of the Golden monkeys, seeing them playing, feeding, take photos, videos and more. The permit for the excursion in Mgahinga costs $50 USD per person.
Volcano Hike
Different hiking trails in Mgahinga National Park offers one of the best hiking experience in Uganda. Most adventure enthusiasts praise the Park for its three towering peaks including Mount Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo.
Amongst the three summits, Muhavura ranks the highest standing at a height of 4127 m. Eight hours are enough for the hike up to its top covering 12km via trails that winds through rolling hills and lush vegetation.
While on this hiking expedition to the top, you can’t stop admiring the bird’s eye views of Ruwenzori peaks, stretching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park along with Lake Edward.
Another case is Mountain Sabyinyo, it stands at3669m and travelers are inspired by the 14km steep ridge that offers unmatched views of landscapes.
Besides Muhavura and Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga is a perfect alternative, it dazzles a lot of travelers with its track that passes through bamboo forested areas where you can sight numerous Golden monkey primates. Hiking to and from the summit takes about six hours.
Nature Walks
If not the most, wandering via trails that pass through lush Jungles is among the best ways to explore and embrace nature in Bwindi and Mgahinga with no limitation.
Travelers usually set off as a group following the trails in the Jungles that lead to the exact points of interest as well as getting exposed to different Wildlife species.
This is as well the best opportunity to listen to the soothing sounds of birds and feel tranquil atmosphere within the Jungles.
Some of the common Wildlife species while on Nature walks include baboons, forest hogs, golden monkeys, bushbucks, Black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, Vervets and more.
Decision on which trail to follow depends on your spots of interest in the locality together with physical fitness due to the fact that some paths are strenuous.
This experience is possible both in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at a cost of $30 USD per person.
Batwa Cultural Trail.
This is one of the most outstanding cultural experiences to be part, if its culture in Uganda. It belongs and everything managed by the Batwa people.
These people migrated from the Ituri forest reserve of Democratic Republic of Congo, part settled in Rwanda and other group in the Western wing of Uganda.
They were hunters and used forests as their shelter, bush meat as food, tree leaves as medicine and back cloth as clothes.
For a deep insight about these people and their past life, join the Batwa Cultural trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
This cultural experience was introduced after the Batwa people were evicted from all areas occupied by National Parks. Major aim was to solicit some funds that can support the Batwa communities with health, and education facilities.
Travelers are often impressed by the cultural entertainments through singing and dancing, numerous demonstrations such as making of different artworks, hunting skills and more.
After the entertaining session, a walk around different villages of the Batwa is conducted with the help of the Batwa guides, visit the Garama caves. This is almost a full day experience and it costs $80 USD per person.
Gorilla Habituation Experience.
Gorilla habituation mainly involves nurturing the wild Gorilla species until they get used to presence of human beings. This process arrives the Gorillas to the state of being legal for trekking experiences.
It’s almost similar with Gorilla trekking but what differs is the time often spent with these apes in the Jungles.
During the habituation experience, travelers are allowed to stay with the Gorillas for four hours while following their movements. Take a lot of Photos and Videos. It’s only done in Bwindi – Rushaga sector at a cost of $1500 USD per person.