Bwindi Gorilla Trekking from Lake Bunyonyi
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking from Lake Bunyonyi: Many travelers believe it’s hard to stay at Lake Bunyonyi and trek to see gorillas in Bwindi the next day, but it’s actually quite doable. Lake Bunyonyi offers adventure activities and stunning views, making it a great spot to enjoy both experiences. Located in southwestern Uganda, it is the country’s deepest lake with over 29 islands, including the well-known Akampene island, which has a tragic history.
The best destination in the country for honeymoons and leisure is Lake Bunyonyi. It is ideally situated between Kigezi’s terraced hills. You can engage in a range of adventurous activities while visiting Lake Bunyonyi, including canoeing, which allows you to visit several islands; swimming, which is free of bilharzia and harmful animals; birding, which allows you to see a variety of species; and community visits around the lake.
Since the national park is close to Lake Bunyonyi, visitors can lodge there and hike the Bwindi gorillas. Ruhija, located on the park’s eastern border, is the area of Bwindi closest to Lake Bunyonyi. For anyone planning to visit Bwindi while lodging near Lake Bunyonyi, Ruhija is the conveniently accessible area of Bwindi Gorilla Park. The Ruhija sector is 59 kilometres from Lake Bunyonyi, and if you drive a reliable safari vehicle, the trip takes about 1.5 hours. In order to attend the registration and briefing exercise and be permitted to trek, visitors staying at Lake Bunyonyi will be required to rise very early and begin their journey by 5:00 am.
Where to stay in Lake Bunyonyi
When on a safari to see Bwindi gorillas, visitors can stay in a variety of lodging options near Lake Bunyonyi. Where to stay depends on the traveler’s budget because these lodging alternatives range from affordable to luxurious. Milele Lodge, Birdnest Bunyonyi, Bushara Island Camp, Heritage Lodge, Paradise Eco Hub, Arcadia Cottages, Seeds of Hope Itambira, Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort, and Bunyonyi View Resort are a few of the lodging options.
Trekking Bwindi Gorillas from Lake Bunyonyi
The primary activity for visitors from Lake Bunyonyi in the Ruhija area of Bwindi Gorilla Park is gorilla trekking. The Oruzogo gorilla family, Kyaguliro gorilla family, and Bitukura gorilla family are the three mountain gorilla families in the Ruhija sector that may be hiked from Lake Bunyonyi. If you obtain a gorilla trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, you can walk these families at any time of year.
There are only 24 gorilla licenses in the Ruhija region because a gorilla group can only have up to 8 members. In order to minimise disappointments, visitors, particularly those travelling from Lake Bunyonyi to Ruhija during peak season, are urged to reserve their permits at least three to four months in advance of the last day. For the same price, gorilla permits can be obtained directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a reputable local tour operator.
The cost of each gorilla trekking permit, which allows you to trek Ruhija gorillas, is $800 for foreign visitors, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX300,000 for East African citizens. Permits for gorilla trekking from Lake Bunyonyi to Ruhija include park admission, ranger guide and community fees; transportation is not included.
Gorilla Trekking Experience
The Ruhija sector of the park, where 4 mountain gorilla families are fully acclimated, is where gorilla trekking in Bwindi from Lake Bunyonyi takes place. On the day of gorilla trekking, visitors will depart Lake Bunyonyi at 5:00 am in the morning and drive 1-2 hours, depending on the state of the roads, to reach the Ruhija sector. When you get at the briefing, park wardens and other trekkers will greet you and explain the guidelines for the gorilla trekking activities.
Trekkers in groups of no more than eight are supervised by park wardens, and each party is led through the jungle by armed ranger guides. You have the chance to come across many park creatures, birds, and primates while walking through the bush in quest of gorillas. Depending on the location of the gorilla group and the trekkers’ pace, the hunt for the designated gorilla family may take two to seven hours. Trekkers are allowed an hour to spend with the gorilla family after they are located, during which time they can snap pictures, film movies, and see the members going about their everyday lives.
What is the Best Time to Visit Bwindi from Lake Bunyonyi?
Although visitors can visit Bwindi Gorilla Park from Lake Bunyonyi at any time of year, some months are better than others. The best times to visit Bwindi Gorilla Park are during the dry months of June through September and December through February. These months are ideal for visiting Ruhija from Lake Bunyonyi because there is little to no rainfall, which keeps the roads leading to the park in good shape, the park’s hiking trails are dry and non-slip, and the short, dispersed vegetation provides clear views of the mountain gorillas.
During the rainy season, travellers, particularly those on a tight budget, can visit Bwindi Gorilla Park and take advantage of reduced lodging options. The rainy season, which runs from March to May and October to November, is marked by excessive rainfall, which makes the roads leading to the park in bad shape, the vegetation is tall and obscures views of the mountain gorillas, and the hiking trails muddy and slick.
Things to pack for Bwindi gorilla trekking from Lake Bunyonyi
We recommended that you bring waterproof hiking shoes, long cotton stocks, a rain jacket, a sweater, a scarf, long-sleeved trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellents, sanitiser, a facemask, a camera, a light backpack, a drinking water bottle and energy-boosting snacks when you leave Lake Bunyonyi for the Bwindi gorilla trek.
