Bwindi Gorilla Trekking in April

Bwindi Gorilla Trekking in April

Experience the best of Bwindi gorilla trekking in April, the off-peak month of the year and also a suitable time to book budget gorilla tours in Uganda. April marks mid-wet or low/off-peak season on the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park calendar. It offers a unique alternative for tourists seeking affordable gorilla trekking safaris or those who want a gorilla adventure without crowds. Below are the quick benefits of booking the Bwindi gorilla trekking in April;

Why book the Bwindi Gorilla Trekking in April

1. Secure more affordable gorilla trekking packages. April is a low month of the year when most accommodation options provide discounted offers. This means that you can get a comfortable safari lodge to stay at a relatively lower rate than during the peak season. The difference is that during the peak season, the majority of the lodges tend to maintain their standard rates/prices. Off-peak months is when they offer discounts in order to attract guests to their premises. But a careful move should be taken when choosing a place to stay because lodges have their own peak and low season. With guidance from your expert Native Africa Tours, expect to have the right accommodation for your stay during the April gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi National Park.
2. No crowds. Visiting Bwindi gorillas in April provides a more intimate experience than any other period of the year. Visitors can enjoy exclusive adventure, and if you are not a fan of crowds, then securing a gorilla trek slot in Bwindi around April should be a must.
3. Scenic environment. It is during April when Bwindi tends to be lush green and also offers a higher chance for tourists to sight several migratory bird species. Heavy rainfall that the park receives in this month supports abundant growth of plants, making it the best time for visitors who enjoy scenic views.
4. Find mountain gorillas with ease. Trekking with Bwindi mountain gorillas in April often makes the sessions shorter than the peak season. Abundant plant life that results from heavy rains mean gorillas have plenty to feed on. As a result, these apes have no reason to move long distances to search for what to eat.

Cons of Bwindi Gorilla Trekking in April

• Muddy or slippery trails. April comes with heavy rainfall, and forest trails often become muddy, thus posing a huge challenge, especially when navigating through the park in search of gorillas. To enjoy a smooth trek with the Bwindi gorillas in April, you should consider being fit for the trek and also finding the ideal footwear.
• Inconvenience from heavy rainfalls. Around April, the rains can’t be predicted. It can rain at any time of the year, with the frequent showers often inconveniencing normal gorilla treks.
• Interference from insects. Most insects, like mosquitoes, become rampant around wet months like April. To ensure a trek without being disrupted, you should have a tin of effective insect repellent.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Quick Facts

Located in the Kigezi region, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park borders stretch to the districts of Kabale, Kanungu, Rubanda, and Kisoro. The park was established in 1991, and the primary goal was to shelter today’s mountain gorillas, whose population is estimated to be 1063. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone, there exist about half of the global gorilla population, with over 24 habituated gorilla groups.

While on an April gorilla trekking tour, expect to begin your day from any of the 4 regions or sectors in Bwindi National Park. These include Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Rushaga –with each of these regions having gorilla groups for you to explore.

Beyond gorillas, Bwindi supports diversity of other species, including bush pigs, forest hogs, chimpanzees, elephants, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, and about 350 species of birds. The birds comprise mainly the Albertine rift endemics and resident species such as the Shelley’s crimsonwing, regal sunbird, Kivu ground thrush, handsome francolin, and African green pigeon.

The April Weather in Bwindi

In April, Bwindi experiences heavy rainfall, being the wet month of the year. Temperatures also vary with daytime having 22 degrees Celsius. Early morning, there can be a drop to about 12 degrees Celsius. April falls in the list of the wettest months of the year in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and forest trails tend to be more slippery or muddy. Visitors get challenged walking through environmental conditions such as these and at a higher elevation.

Normal day of gorilla trek in April

Visitor day with Bwindi mountain gorillas starts with gathering at the park offices for a briefing. This session involves learning more about gorilla trekking regulations and rules, plus allocation of gorilla families. Expect to begin the day trek in the scenic Bwindi Forest in April by 8:00 am, and this is expected to extend for about 2-6 hours. The daily gorilla trekking adventure covers an hour of interacting with a group of mountain gorillas and taking photos.

Gorilla groups to be assigned to you are available in the 4 sectors. Among the gorilla families to visit are the Katwe gorilla group, Nshongi family, Rushegura group, Binyindo, Muyambi, Habinyanja, Oruzogo group, Bushaho family, Christmas, Nkuringo, Posho gorilla group, and Busingye. Bwindi also supports gorilla families such as Rwigi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, and others. Each of these gorilla groups has a capacity of up to 8 (eight) pax, and during the daily gorilla trek, expect to be accompanied by an experienced guide from Bwindi National Park.

Additional Activities to do

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known not only for gorilla trekking safaris but also for other experiences. The park offers other unique adventures, including;

Mountain gorilla habituation experience. This is a special primate adventure that lets you enjoy longer hours in the tropical forest with mountain gorillas. It is only done while in the Rushaga sector, the Southern end of Bwindi and the target is exploring the semi-habituated gorilla groups. During the unusual gorilla habituation, expect to enjoy 4 hours while observing a family of gorillas, which is far better than one hour during the traditional treks.

Birding (bird-watching). A total of about 350 species of birds survive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and they reside in the different habitats. During the birding excursion, expect to enjoy great sights of birds, including handsome spurfowl, regal sunbirds, black bee-eaters, Lagden’s bush shrikes, Doherty bushshrikes, Chapin’s flycatchers, Grauer’s broadbill, Kivu ground thrush, and more.

What to carry for your April gorilla trek tour in Bwindi

April, being the peak wet month, requires you to choose what to pack with ultimate care. To begin with, the ideal gear/items to include on your packing list are: sunglasses, a safari hat, long trousers, a rain jacket, a daypack, long-sleeved shirts, hiking boots, a safari hat, first-aid kit, gardening gloves, and a sweater etc.

Book your April gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with an expert –Native Africa Tours. We are the trusted gorilla company in Uganda with an extensive record of offering affordable gorilla trekking experiences.

Note, as you plan to go trekking with gorillas in April, ensure that you prepare yourself well. Keep fit to manage the general conditions that define Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as the key habitat for mountain gorillas.

Choose the best package to fit your travel plans to see gorillas in Bwindi in April. At Native Africa Tours, we can customize a gorilla safari package with consideration of your budget and travel interests.