Photography Safari in Bwindi
Photography Safari in Bwindi
Are you a photographer and interested in a Photography Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, this is possible and Safari Vacations and Travel Services is here to assist you plan and booking this safari. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is among the only 4 national parks home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the world, however, other national parks include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in DR Congo.
With various species which including 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths, and 120 mammals, the park is also home to several primates including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the major one the Mountain Gorillas. The global population half of these magnificent Gorillas is in Bwindi Forest, with over 15 habituated gorilla family groups open for gorilla tracking with 8 gorilla permits allocated to each group per day.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is in 4 sectors which include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Buhoma sector is in the northern part of Bwindi and the Ruhija sector is in the Eastern part of Bwindi, with both sectors located close to Queen Elizabeth National Park making it easy to merge gorilla trekking with game viewing if you are trekking in these sectors. In the southern part of Bwindi, it is where Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are located close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking and Golden monkey tracking.
Every sector has different habituated mountain gorilla families open for gorilla trekking with the Rushaga sector having many families when you compare to other sectors.
Cost of a Photography Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
A Gorilla Permit costs USD800 per person per trek for Foreign Non-Residents, USD700 for East African Residents, and USD70 for East African Citizens while a Gorilla permit allows you to spend one hour encountering mountain gorillas in the Bwindi forest once you find them on your trek. If you are a commercial photographer then you will have to pay 40% of the gorilla permit on top of the gorilla permit as photography fees.
How to purchase a Gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi
Gorilla trekking permits are purchased from Uganda Wildlife Authority, at their headquarters in Kampala or Kisoro for tourists arriving in Uganda through Entebbe it is recommended to purchase their gorilla permits from Kampala and for tourists arriving in Uganda through Kigali they can purchase their permits at the branch headquarter of Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kisoro town which is 1-2 hours drive to Bwindi.
The best time for a Photography Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The best time to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.
Getting to Bwindi Forest for Gorilla Trekking
By Air;
You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo and then to Kihihi airstrip for the northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero Link and Fly Uganda.
By Road;
This will depend on which sector you will be doing your gorilla trek in Bwindi Forest; you can access Bwindi through the main high-way road from Entebbe/Kampala which is approximately 8-9 hour drive.
Packing for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
- Insect Repellent
- Water Bottle
- Camera, lenses, etc
- Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks
- Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking
- Hat and Sunscreen
- Rain Jacket
- Binoculars (game/bird watching)
Accommodation during Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park is in the northern part is Buhoma and Ruhija and in the southern part are Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors, however In Rushaga lodges, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Karungi Camp.
For Nkuringo lodges you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla trekking.
In the northern part, in the Buhoma sector, you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, and Ride 4 a Woman among others, In Ruhija you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.
The best sector for Photography Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Many tour operators and tourists choose the Rushaga sector as the best sector for gorilla tracking in Bwindi because of the many habituated gorilla families here it is easy to get a gorilla tracking permit here comparing it to other sectors, however, according to the nature/elevation Buhoma is the best sector for gorilla trekking given the fact sometimes you can only spend 3-4 hours on your trek and some trackers are already through by 11 am.
Among all the sectors it is the Nkuringo sector that has more strenuous treks. therefore gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest whichever sector you book for your trek, you will be able to see the mountain gorillas and you have a 99% chance of seeing them.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native, we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with Uganda Wildlife Authority making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
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