Things To Do
In addition to the gorillas, Bwindi is also home to rare forest elephants, giant forest hogs and eleven kinds of primates, such as red tailed and blue monkeys, black and white colobus and baboons. You can also find forest duiker antelopes, bush buck antelopes and over 200 species of butterflies. Key wildlife include: gorilla, baboon, monkey, duiker, giant forest hog, warthog, civet, birds.
The following activities are included in your stay:
Community Walk
Bwindi is surrounded by the Bakiga community and Batwa people. The walk takes about two hours and begins with a stroll through a small tea farming project. Here you can stop to meet the tea pickers and perhaps even learn how to pluck tea leaves along the way. Then visit a local beer brewery and see how they mash bananas to make a fermented brew which is mixed and distilled to make banana beer - a popular local drink in the area. From here walk a short distance to the local hospital which Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp supports through various projects. Learn about how it started and the work they do for the community. Continue your walk to a nearby village and visit a traditional medicine man.
Addition
Gorilla Tracking
Gorilla tracking is the main activity at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. The gorillas we track belong to one of the ‘habituated’ family groups in northern Bwindi. Experienced guides accompany the tracking, many of who have been involved in the habituation process themselves. Gorilla tracking is a year-round activity and tracking commences at 8:30 am. There is a daily maximum of eight visitors able to meet each gorilla group. The terrain is testing in places but is fine if you are physically fit. Guides are always on hand to help and assist should you need it. Once the gorillas are located, the group can enjoy their company for one hour. Permits need to be bought in advance. Thanks to a unique sedan chair, guests who are unable to trek on foot can be carried into the rainforest by the porters.
Batwa Tribe Experience
Learn about and interact with the local Batwa People. This full day activity involves a three hour walk followed by about an hour spent with the Batwa. The walk back to camp is two hours. The visit includes a music performance, visitation by the goddess, hunting and gathering demonstration and an opportunity to see how they live. The Twa tribe who are also known as the Batwa are the oldest inhabitants of the Great Lakes region of Central Africa. Like most of the tribes in Africa, they have moved from place to place and are now found in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and eastern portions of the DRC. Statistics show that by the year 2000 their numbers were approximately 80,000 people, making them a significant minority group in these countries.
Birding Walks
Bwindi boasts over 350 bird species, including 24 that are endemic to these highlands straddling Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo - the so-called the “Albertine Rift Endemics”. For keen birders, we can arrange for a local expert to guide you on a fascinating 2-3 hour walk through the park.
Forest Walks
We can offer a guided forest walk on the Munyaga waterfall trail. This trail starts from the Park office and ends at the magnificent Munyaga waterfall. The walk to and from the waterfall takes about three hours and is a good way to practice or cool down a day before or after the gorilla tracking.
Game Drives
Game drives are done in the Queen Elizabeth National Park on request and at an additional charge.
Spa Treatments
The mini spa at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp offers the perfect way to end a long day of gorilla tracking. Treatments include a deep herbal massage, hydrating facial, foot massage, manicures and pedicures. Additional activities are at an additional cost and can be pre-booked or while guests are in camp.
