Much as Mountain Gorilla Trekking is the main activity for visitors to Buhoma Region, there are more things to see and do in Buhoma Region besides trekking to see the Gorillas. In this article, we will discuss all the activities and attractions in the Buhoma Region of the greater Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park.
Top things to see and do in Buhoma Region (Northern Bwindi Forest)
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Go Mountain Gorilla Tracking/trekking in Buhoma Region (Very Popular):
Buhoma Region was the first place in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to be opened for mountain Gorilla trekking in 1992. Then there was only one habituated mountain gorilla group called Mubare. But as we write this article, the Buhoma region now boasts of six (06) Fully habituated mountain gorilla groups and is the busiest gorilla trekking region and a favorite for many upmarket travelers seeking to trek Gorillas whilst staying at luxury lodges; Sanctuary’s Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Lodge, or Buhoma Lodge.
Mountain Gorilla trekking/tracking in the Buhoma region starts at 8:00 am after a thorough briefing about the exercise has been conducted by a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger – your companion for the day. during the briefing, a set of gorilla trekking rules and guidelines will be mentioned – kindly listen attentively and comply for both your safety and that of the mountain Gorillas. After the Briefing, you will be led into the forest where the gorillas freely roam hence the reason it’s called gorilla tracking or trekking – you are going to search the forest for them while climbing (trekking) hills & mountains. The activity of tracking or trekking mountain gorillas lasts from 30 minutes to 6 hours – depending on where they are on the day of your trek.
We can’t promise you a set appointment with the free-roaming gorillas in Bwindi, but what we know is that Uganda does present a 99% success rate for all our previous treks – you will definitely see the gorillas.
The pre-requisite for anyone to go gorilla trekking is a Gorilla Permit. Mountain gorilla permits are strictly issued to persons aged 15 years and above. Only 08 tourists are allowed to track a particular gorilla family, there are five (05) habituated Mountain gorilla families in the Buhoma region which translates into forty (40) Gorilla permits available daily in the Buhoma region. Because Gorilla Permits are very competitive to reserve and do get sold out in the peak season months of June to September and January to February, we recommend booking and fully paying for your gorilla permit at least six (06) months in advance. Realm Africa Safaris™ can assist your pre-book gorilla permits for up to 02 years in advance.
Mountain gorilla permits to trek in Buhoma region cost;
- $700 per person for foreign Non Residents.
- $600 per person for Foreign Residents.
- UGX per person for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania).
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Visit the Ride 4 A Woman Centre Things to see and do in Buhoma Region
The Ride 4 a Woman charity was set up in 2009 by Evelyn and her husband to support local women struggling at home with issues associated with HIV, domestic violence, and poverty. Visitors are invited to view the women working at the local center – sewing, weaving, and learning new skills for making a living and helping towards education for their children.
Learn More about Visiting the Ride 4 A Woman Charity.
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Go on a guided Community Walk around Buhoma Region.
The Buhoma community walk allows visitors to directly interact with the locals of the region, learn about their lifestyle and even participate in some of the activities like tea and coffee picking, traditional/ cultural dances, and many others.
The Buhoma Community walk is a highly customizable walk but will typically last from 1 – 3 hours. During the walk, you will visit Ride 4 A woman – a local charity that is empowering women in the Buhoma region. Feel free to donate or support their cause by buying from crafts, fabric, baskets, etc.
Learn more about what to expect when you go on a guided community walk-in Buhoma Region.
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Visit the Batwa Pygmies in Buhoma Region.
Known as the “Keepers of the Forest” the enchanting Batwa pygmies of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are a hunter-gatherer tribe that has lived side-by-side with the wildlife of this ancient park for thousands of years.
Strap on your hiking boots for this full-day adventure as it kick-starts with a 3-hour hike through the forest to a Batwa settlement. While at this Batwa homestead observe how the women prepare, cook, and serve a meal.
Engage with medicine men and learn about the medicinal properties of the lush forest flora. Hear ancient legends and traditional songs. After a warm welcome, your 1-hour cultural immersion begins. Enjoy a live music performance, learn about the Batwa’s fascinating way of life; from religion to their food gathering and hunting techniques, and interact with the tribesmen.
Living in harmony with the forest and surviving by hunting small game using bows and arrows, this fascinating excursion gives great insight into how this ancient tribe exists. Foraging in the lush undergrowth and gathering plants for both food and medicinal purposes, the Batwa have a symbiotic relationship with the wild. In an effort to reveal their amazing heritage and traditions to the world, this is a magnificent opportunity to experience the forest through their eyes. Once acknowledged as the owners of the high impenetrable mountain forest, there are very few Batwa in existence today – It is the reason we recommend seeing them Now or Never.
Learn more about Meeting the Batwa of Buhoma Region.
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Visit the Bwindi Community Hospital in Buhoma Region.
Established in 2003 by Scott and Carol Kellermann, the Bwindi community Hospital in the Buhoma region has grown from humble beginnings to become an essential service provider for the people of Buhoma Region and neighboring towns/villages caring for more than 100,000 patients/clients. Visit it to learn how it is helping to improve the quality of many lives.
Learn more about Visiting Bwindi Community Hospital
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Visit the Gorilla Research Clinic in Buhoma Region.
The Gorilla Research Clinic in Buhoma region is a Gorilla Health and Community Conservation Center with a panoramic view of Bwindi forest, where we give tourists a behind-the-scenes tour of gorilla conservation through explaining our programs including gorilla health monitoring, community health, and livelihoods.
Learn More about the Gorilla Research Clinic in Buhoma Region.
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Go on a guided Nature Walk inside Bwindi (Buhoma region)
This can be undertaken with a Uganda Wildlife Authority guide to allow you to hike along the trails and enjoy the forest flora, fauna, and wildlife such as monkeys in close proximity. A popular choice is the 3-4 hour hike to the waterfall.
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Experience Bird watching in Buhoma Region. Things to see and do in Buhoma
Birdwatching in Buhoma Region can be done around your lodge surrounding and inside Bwindi forest with a local qualified bird guide. Over 350 bird species have been spotted in the Buhoma region of the greater Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. Of particular interest are the 23 species endemic to the Albertine Rift and at least 14 recorded nowhere else in Uganda
Learn more about Birding in Buhoma Region.
