Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma and Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Are you planning to go for Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma and Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park? Yes, this is very possible as we can take you to both places for gorilla trekking Buhoma in Bwindi and then proceed for wildlife viewing safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National is the most used for game drives for visitors to spot various animals. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the savannah Parks found in the Kasese district in Western Uganda, it spreads to the western arm of the Great Rift Valley and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds.  With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the park includes the southern Ishasha area with its tree-climbing lions and Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda.  The northern Mweya area, traversed by the equator and dominated by the scenery of crater lakes, is often occupied by large flocks of flamingos. This Park is such a beauty and has attracted many visitors throughout the years.

Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Buhoma is one of the four gorilla sector headquarters found in the North of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kanungu district where gorilla tracking of different gorilla families takes Place and other activities. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in southwestern Uganda and is a habitat to half of the remaining population of Mountain gorillas in the World, and this gives you 98% chances for you to view and see the gorillas in their natural habitat in the world, Bwindi Forest National park is divided into different sections/sectors where you can do the Gorilla tracking experience namely Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija and Nkuringo sector. Buhoma region is such a beauty to visit, there are two options to either fly from Mweya or by road to Buhoma, and it is approximately 4-5 hours’ drive.

Top things to do in Buhoma

Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma region                                           

Gorilla tracking is the primary activity to do in Buhoma region of Bwindi impenetrable National park from Mweya. Bwindi is a home to half of world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas in the world meaning your visit here you have 98% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Having a gorilla permit is the key priority for you to have a gorilla trek in Buhoma region. The gorilla permit has to be purchased in advance to secure a spot for your trek for any date depending on your travel dates and availability of the permits that day. Gorilla tracking is done in a group of eight people per gorilla family meaning eight permits only are available for each gorilla family, for you to secure a place for a day’s gorilla trek you will need to secure your gorilla permit in advance months or days prior visiting buhoma region of  Bwindi Forest National park. All you need to do is to send us your actual dates when you prefer trekking gorillas and we will check the availability of permits online. We will reserve your permit tentatively and send you a permit payment invoice. Once you make payment, we will go ahead and secure your permit and thereafter send you scanned copies of receipts from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Bird watching Experience           

Bwindi Forest National Park is a home to various unique bird species including the Albertine Rift Endemic birds and it is a place to be for Bird watchers, Key bird species to spot on your birding tour in buhoma in Bwindi National Park include Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing. We do organize birding packages to Bwindi Forest National Park, with professional birding guides you are able to identify different birds.

Batwa Cultural experience

The Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet, a profusion of exotic plants and animals that includes the endangered mountain gorilla. For thousands of years, the forest was also home to an indigenous people called the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa were known as “The Keepers of the Forest.” Of the ancient Bwindi Jungle. The Batwa survived by hunting small game using arrows or nets and gathering plants and fruit in the rain forest. They lived in huts constructed of leaves and branches, moving frequently in search of fresh supplies of food. The Batwa lived in harmony with the forest and its creatures, including the mountain gorillas, for millennia. Some anthropologists estimate that pygmy tribes such as the Batwa have existed in the equatorial forests of Africa for 60,000 years or more.

In 1992, the Batwa were removed/Evicted from the forest when the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest became a national park and World Heritage Site to protect the 350 endangered mountain gorillas within its boundaries, so they had to occupy unforested Land. The Batwa cultural experiences is one of the top most things to do in Buhoma s you will an opportunity to experience this unique culture, dances, traditions like hunting, fruit gathering among others.

Community Walks in Buhoma

There is  three-hour village walk begins with a visit to the handcraft shop selling handmade artefacts such as fabrics, beeswax candles and wood carvings, all produced by talented local craftsmen and women. The neighboring Batwa community performs songs and dances about their former life in the forest, introducing you to another unique local culture. You will also meet the traditional healer who treats the sick with medicinal plants, and the teachers and pupils of the local primary school. Finally, you can learn how bananas are used to make juice, beer and gin and taste the results. You will encounter the local community members as you experience the African culture.

Shopping Local Crafts

Going shopping at local shops especially the Batwa Craft Bandas for authentic and unique craft items which are locally made by the local people in the community.  You will be able to shop souvenirs made by raw materials locally and this will support the communities in Buhoma region of Bwindi.

Conservation through public health (CTPH)

Conservation through Public Health (CTPH) is a grassroots organization that has improved the health of wildlife, livestock and some of the poorest people in Africa. In Buhoma, visitors can take a tour of the Gorilla Health Centre to learn about their health and how diseases are transmitted between wild animals and livestock, as well as other conservation issues addressed by CTPH.

You will tour the Village Aquaponics project where you will learn about sustainable methods of farming fish, which is then sold to local lodges. If booked in advance, CTPH staff can also offer presentations on conservation issues in Bwindi and guided tours of local communities to demonstrate how improving the health and livelihoods of people and their livestock supports the conservation of gorillas.

Nature and Forest walks

Forest walks are ideal when you visit Buhoma region of Bwindi impenetrable National park from Mweya. Bwindi is made up of a tropical forest which is one of the oldest forests in the world existing for more of the past 250,000 years back; it has ancient tree species and some of them endemic to this forest. It is as well known to be impenetrable due to its thick canopy making nature walks enjoyable, on your nature walking  safari in Bwindi Forest you will have a chance to learn about different tree species, spot different bird species as well have a chance to sight different animals including rare forest elephants if lucky, monkeys, baboons.

We do offer Nature walking packages from Buhoma sector to Nkuringo Sector, crossing Ivy River, Kashasha trail, these nature walks also given you a chance to blend yourself with nature including a visit to the beautiful waterfalls and rivers in the Buhoma region, you can choose a package that can be tailored with all these activities to best suit your interest.

Where to stay in Buhoma region of Bwindi.

Buhoma being the backbone of gorilla tourism in Uganda, It has a lot of infrastructure in terms of Lodges and hotels ranging from Budget, Midrange, Luxury and Upmarket. Depending on your budget and availability of space, Eco Adventure Safaris will book you the best lodge with en-suite private toilet and bathroom, access to power, Wi-Fi and standard service as per the gorilla tour package booked with us, You can opt to stay at Buhoma community rest camp as budget, Buhoma Havens as Midrange, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany springs as a luxury option and Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp as the Upmarket Lodge. All these lodges have great views of the forest and very calm and comfortable for your stay.

Why book with us safari to Buhoma region of Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park

Eco Adventure Safaris is a local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Eco Adventure Safaris is run and owned by Ugandans. We specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries with cultural experiences. We are members of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and are registered by UTB (Uganda Tourism Board). We have a good and long working relationship with UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) and Local communities making it easy to book entrance fees and activities on safari. Contact us here to help you book for you Gorilla Trekking in Buhoma and Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.