Weather in Bwindi forest is one of the major concerns for travelers coming to trek gorillas in Uganda. Upcoming travelers frequently ask when is the best time to trek gorillas in Bwindi forest considering the difference in seasons. Bwindi is a tropical rain forest whose altitude ranges from 1,190 to 2,607 meters above sea level. Rwamunyonyi hill is the highest point of Bwindi Forest at the eastern edge of the park. The forest is all covered with mist and fog during morning hours, which stays up to 10:00 am. Bwindi is a first stop Centre for all Uganda gorilla safaris being home to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the whole world. Each day, hundreds of travelers check into the jungles of Bwindi forest to trek gorillas at a very close range. Well,
Rainfall in Bwindi Forest
Mist in Bwindi Forest National Park
The Bwindi forest receives rainfall throughout the year. The annual rainfall received in Bwindi forest reaches up to 2390mm categorized into short and long rains. Short rains are from March through April to May associated with a short time of raining. On the other hand, long rains are between September to November associated with heavy rains with a long time of soft drizzles at times. Rains can fall any day at any time despite the season. Rainy/wet season is the best time for bird watching in Bwindi forest. During this time, numerous migratory birds fly from all parts of the world and come to breed in Bwindi Forest giving travelers a memorable birding experience.
Temperature in Bwindi forest
Regarding temperatures in Bwindi forest, it ranges from 7⁰C – 27⁰C. The minimum temperatures are between 7⁰C -20⁰C while maximum temperature range from 20⁰C -27⁰C. During the dry season in June, July, December, and February, temperatures in Bwindi forest become high reaching about 30⁰C especially during the day. This temperature, however, drops drastically to as low as 9⁰C during night and morning hours. The dry season is the best time to trek mountain gorillas and do forest walks through Bwindi. During this time, forest grounds are less slippery hence easy to walk through.
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest
Hiking boots for gorilla trekking
The fact that weather in Bwindi forest is difficult to predict, you ought to keep ready and pack all necessary essentials to deal with the forest weather. Among the things you must pack when visiting Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park include:
• Rain jacket/gear; t can rain any time of the day ad season
• Hiking boots/shoes to ease movements through the jungle forest
• Sweaters and Ponchos for warmth at night and in the morning
• Gardening gloves to protect your hands
• Long pants to cover your legs
• Insect repellent; the forest is home to numerous small insects which can infect you
• Sunglasses for your eyes
• Hat for your head
• Long-sleeved shirts and blouses to protect your arms
• Scaff
• First aid kit for emergency
Top activities to do in Bwindi Forest National park
Travelers on a Uganda tour to Bwindi forest have an endless list of exceptional tourist activities to do. Among the must-do activities in Bwindi Forest include:
1. Mountain gorilla trekking
Visiting to trek mountain gorillas is the number one travel activity in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. Over 99.9% of travelers to Bwindi trek gorillas as their top bucket list. The impenetrable forest is home to over 600 mountain gorillas dwelling in the four sectors, which make up Bwindi forest park. The four gorilla regions in Bwindi are Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo sector in the south. Altogether, Bwindi forest shelters 17 gorilla families, which have been habituated for trekking. Each gorilla group is visited by eight people a day for an hour. Each travelers to trek gorillas in Bwindi must have a valid gorilla permit which cost $600 to be increased to $700 with effect from1st July in 2020. Gorilla groups in Bwindi forest are Mubare, Rushegura, Habinyanja, Busingye, Nkuringo, Oruzogo, Bweza, Kahungye, Katwe, Christmas, Kyaguliro, Bitukura, Mishaya, Each gorilla family is unique in its own kind in terms of gorilla numbers, history of formation and location.
2. Gorilla habituation experience
Besides gorilla trekking, Bwindi offer visitors with experimental gorilla habituation experience, a half-day interaction with the endangered gorillas. Here travelers take part in training wild gorilla, making them familiar with human presence before they are declared free and safe for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience takes place in Rushaga sector, south of Bwindi Forest where 2 gorilla families (Bushaho and Bikyingi) are undergoing habituation. You will need a habituation permits, which costs $1500 to allow you to spend four hours habituating gorillas. Unlike in gorilla trekking where 8 travelers visit a group of gorillas, only 4 people visit a gorilla group in habituation experience.
3. Batwa cultural tours
Visit Batwa pygmies to experience their traditional forest life before gorilla tourism was introduced. At present, Batwa live at the edge of Bwindi forest where they work as porters for Bakiga. During a Batwa cultural tour, you will be guided into the forest to perform Batwa’s cultural activities like hunting, fruit gathering, collecting honey and a traditional dance that tells about Batwa’s lifestyle.
4. Bird watching
Bird watching in Bwindi Forest
Being home to over 348 bird species, Bwindi forest is the best spot for bird watching in Uganda. The rain forest shelters numerous bird species some of which are endemic to the Albertine region. During the wet season, the forest hosts countless migratory birds. Among the birds in Bwindi forest include African green broadbill, Pink-footed puff back, White-headed saw-wing, crested guinea fowl, Waller’s Starling, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird and Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo. Birding is best done in the morning and evening hours during a forest walk. Listening to the sweet melodies of birds singing up in the trees make the whole experience magical.
5. Forest walks
Walking through the impenetrable forest of Bwindi on foot is magical. Nature walking is the best way to enjoy and discover all the hidden treasures of Bwindi Forest. The serenity and quietness of the rain forest give you a fresh feeling of a natural environment. Different trails have been made leading to certain points. The common hiking trails in Bwindi forest include Munyanga river trail, Waterfall trail, Rushura hill trail, Muzabajiro loop trail, River lvi trail, bamboo trail and Kashasha river trail among others. Bwindi forest walks are best done during the dry season. A walking stick is highly recommended to ease walking.
In general, extensive understanding of Bwindi Forest weather is key for a successful Uganda gorilla tour to this rain forest. Visit Bwindi anytime, trek gorillas, visit Batwa pygmies, and enjoy forest walks with Gorilla trek Africa.
