Hiking and Nature Walks in Bwindi Forest National Park

Hiking and Nature walks in Bwindi forest National Park, Hiking Trials are a pivotal part of exploring Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, while other parks are explored in safari vehicles, jeeps and more, Bwindi’s impenetrable woodlands are explored on foot and the park boasts being one of the few parks where most of its tourist activities are done on foot. These routes lead to various corners of the park where one gets a chance to engage and sight on numerous tourist attractions like gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, Birding, Hiking, Nature walks among others. While hiking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you’re guaranteed a chance to get exposed to its spectacular environment, flowers, insects, mosses, vines, tree species, reptiles, bird species, Primates, Mountain Gorillas, elephants among others.

The hikes are guided and your guide will take you depending on your interests, you will identify and talk about each and every thing in details. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has some of the best hiking trails in the world. They provide amazing views, though a little bit challenging because of the rocky terrain. While exploring the park, the following are the hiking trails used to venture in different activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Best Hiking Trails in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

River Ivi Trail

River Ivi Trail is one of the best birding trails in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it covers 14 kilometers that can be hiked for about 7 hours to full day taking you put to Ivi river hence the name . The trail takes you through the Nkuringo Sector all through Mukempunu which means a place of pigs,” and as the name suggests, it’s infested with a lot of warth hogs. The trail can be started from Buhoma or Nkuringo and an alternative route for the hike can be Buhoma to Nkuringo trail.

While on this trail tourist can sight on a number of wildlife like warthogs, primate species, beautifully colored butterfly species, local communities among others. This trail is usually used by locals traveling from or to Nkuringo, especially to the the market in Nteko Village located on the southern boundary of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Munyanga Waterfall Walk

Munyanga Waterfall trails is stunning trail taking you along River Ivi up to Munyaga waterfalls the park’s waterfalls. The trails take about 4 hours of hiking. Munyanga waterfall has crystal clear waters that are 108 feet tall. For those with limited time for birding can us this trail as well as bird buffs, other species to sight on are tree species like Orchids, colorful butterfly species, epithetic ferns and various bird species.

Habinyanja Trail (Railegh)

Habinyanja Trail is another trail best for bird watching, it is a 4-6 hours trail taking you past the Munyanga river after passing through the river hikers use gently steep slope of Habigorogoro, Riyoyi Ridge overlooking River Buhooma. Habinyanja Trail is the same trail used by trekkers to trek the Habinyanja gorilla family. The most beautiful and eye-catching part of the trail is the African corner named after a rock that represents the map of Africa.

Bird lovers can sight Black Bee-eaters, Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Back Duck. Keen hikers can reach a more relaxed, gentle slope to the Habinyanja Swamp.

Kashasha River Trail

Kashasha River Trail is situated between Nkuringo and Buhoma sector, this trail is 5-7 hours of hiking and the end of the trail is 600 meters high. The trail starts from Nkuringo Park headquarters and passes through two rivers in Bwindi forest up to the park Buffer Zone. This trail offers the most stunning views amongst all the trails because of its exceptional natural wonders within the impenetrable forest.

Tourists on this route can spot several bird species, tree species (especially ferns), plants and flowers

Bamboo Trail

Bamboo Trail is best for birding and takes about 6 hours to trek, the trail is from Ruhija sector and about 1 hour to Buhooma which makes it easier to connect to the two sectors.

The trail takes you to Rwamunyonyi peak and involves climbing a steep area of about 2607 meters above sea level to the peak. This trail offers encounter with different bird species, different vegetation and plant species in the Bamboo forest which is home to over 14 plant species up to the Afro-Montane Vegetation zone. The top of the hill offers views of Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi Impenetrable forest and the Virunga Volcanoes.

Muzabajira Trail / Loop

Muzabajira Trail is of 6 km, it offers beautiful views of the Virunga Volcanoes, ferns, countless bird species and magical views of the western rift valley. This circular trail is home to baboons and other monkey species that be spotted during the trek.

Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail

Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail connects Buhoma sector to Nkuringo sector and runs through the park, this trail takes about 3 -4 hours.

Rushura Hill Walk

Rushura Hill Walks is perfect to use on a clear day because it offers clear views of the Rwenzori Mountain, Virunga Mountains, Lake George and Edward when one gets to the top of Rushura Hill. Rushura Hill is the highest point of Buhooma sector, this trail offers several eye-catching viewpoints.

Mubwindi Swamp Trail

Mubwindi Swamp Trail takes you through the forest with magnificent stop over view points of the Virunga massif and rich valleys. This trail offers encounters with primates like chimpanzees, monkeys, forest elephants, bird species, bush pigs and also the mountain gorillas. Differing from other trails to use this trail one must seek permission from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The Ruizi River Trail

The Ruizi River Trail is most beneficial to bird watchers and lovers. This trail is the longest trail in the park and usually takes a full day of hiking it.

Note: all the hiking trails in Bwindi are fantastic for bird watching.