Top Bwindi Travel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | Uganda Gorilla Safaris.

Common mistakes to avoid when visiting Bwindi: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that sits on 321 square kilometers with an ancient, thick, misty rainforest. It harbors over 400 endangered species; 120 mammals, including primates like monkeys, chimpanzees, and forest elephants; and over 1000 different plant species. Bwindi National Park is mainly known for gorilla trekking, which operates in the four sectors, namely Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. It offers various activities that include bird watching, gorilla habituation, cultural tours, and others. Bwindi National Park is best visited during the peaks between the months of June and August and from December to February. It has an altitude of about 1,607m to 2,607m above sea level.

Common mistakes to avoid when visiting Bwindi national park

When planning for any gorilla trekking safari, tourists should consider the trekking sectors, accommodation facilities, and transportation means before deciding the date and time to trek. Bwindi National Park has four sectors that include Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.

Booking gorilla permits late

Especially during the peak seasons, gorilla permits get sold out quickly and are competitive. Late booking may result in panic, where tourists will be unable to choose the right sector for their trekking experience. Late booking of gorilla permits may result in high charges for purchasing a permit due to the inconveniences. It results in difficulty in choosing the right trekking date and month. Therefore, early booking enables tourists to plan for their trek early and make proper preparations. During the peak season, tourists are advised to book 3 to 6 months early to avoid disappointments.

Choosing the wrong sector

It is highly advisable for tourists to first check their trekking sectors before accessing the park premises. Plan accordingly so that you get to know which sector your trek is in. When tourists arrive in the wrong sector, for example, if you are to trek gorillas in the Rushaga sector when you are in the Buhoma sector, this may result in a delay in the trekking time since there is a long distance from one sector to another. When tourists trek in the wrong sector, they are charged 50%, and a refund won’t be accepted because they would have arrived at the trekking points. Tourists should ensure that they check their permits so that they get to know which sectors they are going to trek from. Tourists should also keep in mind the accommodation booked should be near the trekking sector.

Accommodation mistakes

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four sectors: the Buhoma sector, located in the northern part of Bwindi; the Ruhija sector, located in the eastern part of Bwindi; and the Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors, located in the southern part of Bwindi. Each of these sectors is 3 to 5 hours apart; i.e., from Buhoma to Nkuringo, it takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach. When planning for a gorilla trekking safari, tourists should keep in mind the accommodation facilities of each sector. Tourists should book facilities near their trekking points so that they can successfully enjoy their adventure.

Packing mistakes

Bwindi National Park on a Uganda safari is a rainforest where rain is unpredictable. Rain in Bwindi can pour at any one moment. Mistakes tourists make when packing include wearing hiking boots that are not waterproof, thinking it won’t rain and failing to pack a rain jacket, forgetting to carry essential requirements like a first aid kit for quick emergencies and insect repellents, among others, and wearing clothes that are inappropriate. Overpacking makes your luggage heavy, yet gorilla treks are physically challenging and require energy, and some tourists underpack their bags, making them forget essential requirements like gloves, cameras, drinking water, and hiking boots, among others.

Budgeting errors

This is where tourists ignore small costs, resulting in missed treks or lack of funds on a gorilla trekking safari. Due to the steep, rugged terrain of Bwindi National Park, some tourists hire porters who help with the luggage but result in not tipping them. The porters’ charge is only $20 or even more if you appreciate their job. Failing to budget for other activities in the park, like bird watching and cultural tours, among others, and delaying booking for gorilla trekking, waiting for last-minute preparations. These result in inconveniences. Tourists should budget for the following costs when visiting Bwindi National Park: porter fees ($20 to $25), visa fees ($100 to $150), tips for the tour driver and gas, and supporting local communities with their craft items, which range between $5 and $50, among others.

Health and fitness oversights

It is important for tourists to know their physical fitness before participating in gorilla trekking sessions. Bwindi National Park has a high altitude and steep slopes that may make trekking difficult. Less fitness may result in injuries, knee and ankle pain, and this may cause failure to walk for some days due to the intense pain; dehydration of the body may occur. Less fitness may result in tourists falling back on the treks, feeling like they are racing or running. This results in health issues; therefore, visitors that would love to participate in a gorilla trekking safari should have the confidence and flexibility so that the experience is incredible.

Gorilla trekking mistakes

Common mistakes tourists do while on a trek are the following:

• failing to keep a 7-meter distance, making the gorillas susceptible to diseases
• wearing improper outfits like bright-colored clothes, short jeans, sandals, among others
• forgetting to carry personal documents to the park like passport and national Ids
• making noise and sudden movements when approaching a gorilla family
• failing to hire porters that help out with the luggage during your trekking safari
• failing to carry the required equipment for gorilla trekking, like garden gloves and a first aid kit, among others.

Cultural and Etiquette mistakes in Bwindi national park

Tourists ignore the local customs of the local communities in Bwindi, like wearing short dresses or skirts or revealing clothes that are not considered appropriate. Improper greeting of the local people, hence showing disrespect. Taking photos, especially of young children, without asking for any permission and not supporting the community through providing tips, among others.

In conclusion, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a life-changing experience when tourists avoid the following mistakes. Guidelines and precautions are put in place to promote conservation of the ecological system and ensure that tourists enjoy their safari.