Mubwindi Swamp
Mubwindi Swamp is one of the most popular birding spots located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, southwestern Uganda. The swamp is an enriching bird-watching destination, and nature enthusiasts can explore it through its existing hiking trail. Mubwindi swamp is found in the Ruhija region/sector, Eastern Bwindi National Park. This swamp is one of the best sites to unearth Bwindi’s hidden gems.
Hiking the Mubwindi swamp
A complete hike through the Mubwindi swamp requires about 4 to 5 hours. Visitors embark on a guided walk through the Mubwindi swamp hiking trail. This trail introduces you to Mubwindi swamp/wetland itself, the scenic forest, while you keep an eye on diverse birds and mammals.
What to find in Mubwindi Swamp, Ruhija?
Mubwindi swamp holds abundant attractions that visitors should expect to explore on their guided hiking excursions. The swamp is inhabited by the following;
The birds;
Birds are the top attractions to explore in Mubwindi. The common birds to find in this swamp include the Rwenzori turacos, African green broadbill, yellow-eyed black flycatchers, Shelley’s crimson wing, Regal sunbird, Doherty’s bush-shrikes, strange weaver birds, red-throated alethe, sacred ibis, speckled pigeon, grey-chested babblers, long-tailed cuckoos, and sacred ibis.
Additional birds to identify on Mubwindi swamp walk include handsome spurfowl, Archer’s robin-chat, black-billed turacos, lagden’s bush-shrike, black bee-eaters, blue-headed sunbird, fine-banded woodpeckers, African wood owl, giant kingfishers, yellow-streaked greenbul, and more.
Wildlife/mammals
Mubwindi lies in Bwindi, home to diverse mammal species. The available mammal species that live in the varying habitats where Mubwindi is found include bush pigs, duikers, forest hogs, buffaloes, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Other common mammal species, especially primates that thrive in the Mubwindi area, include blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and colobus monkeys.
Activities to expect to do in Mubwindi Swamp
The best way to explore Mubwindi swamp is by engaging in some of the exciting safari experiences/activities listed below;
Birding/bird-watching
Mubwindi swamp is one of Bwindi’s premier bird-watching sites. The swamp offers astonishing bird sightings from rare to endangered avifaunal species. On a guided birding tour, expect to explore a variety of birds, including African green broadbill, bee-eaters, and more. A total of about 100 species of birds have been recorded in the Mubwindi Swamp alone, and during the guided birding excursion, you stand a chance to come across diverse resident and migratory species. Come with your pair of binoculars when fully prepared for action packed birding expedition through Mubwindi trail in Ruhija.
Primate/Nature walks.
Guided nature walks shouldn’t be missed in Mubwindi. Expect to embark on the hiking tour through the 5-km trail and enjoy about 4-5 hours of exploring Mubwindi’s wonders. The guided nature walk to see primates and other mammals in Mubwindi begins from the Ruhija Gorilla Trekking Center/trailhead. The primate-nature walk in Mubwindi offers incredible sightings of primates ranging from the blue monkeys, olive baboons, colobus monkeys to vervet monkeys. Guests also stand a higher chance of locating a variety of bird species. Visitors on a guided nature walk through Mubwindi are led by the experienced ranger guides with vast knowledge on the species or attractions in this swamp.
Mubwindi Experiences combined with other tour activities in the Ruhija sector
Beyond birding and nature walking excursions in Mubwindi, visitors still have a lot to enjoy within the Ruhija sector. The key alternative experiences to add to your list include mountain gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural visits.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking shouldn’t be left out of the list of unique experiences to enjoy in Ruhija. Nature walks in Mubwindi can be added to a gorilla trekking tour. In the Ruhija, visitors can embark on the trek to explore the habituated gorilla groups such as Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, and Mukiza gorilla families.
To be able to engage in the trek with any of the Ruhija sectors’ gorilla families, you should have a valid gorilla permit. The cost of gorilla trekking permits for Ruhija varies as follows: USD 800 per person for Non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for citizens in East Africa (Including Ugandans). Ruhija gorilla permits can easily be booked through a reliable company like Native Africa Tours.
Community visits/tours
Visitors can also have an addition of guided community visits/tours. This is a perfect option to spice up your nature walks or birding tours in Mubwindi swamp. The adjacent communities to visit for a cultural safari experience include the Batwa pygmies’ community or the Bakiga community. The Batwa community is the most famous cultural community that visitors often consider visiting for cultural tours.
The Batwa are known for their unique cultures, traditions, and practices. They inhabited the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for decades before it was converted into a National Park in 1991. The establishment of Bwindi as a National Park rendered the displacement of the Batwa pygmies from the forest, and they found themselves in the surrounding area. The Batwa are among Uganda’s few notable indigenous people.
The best time to visit Mubwindi Swamp, Ruhija
The dry season is undoubtedly the best time to visit Mubwindi Swamp in Ruhija. You can choose to travel during the first phase of the dry season which happens from June, July, and August to September. Or plan your Mubwindi tour during the short dry season that is from December, January, to February. Access through the Mubwindi swamp trail is easier, making it more convenient for you to explore the swamp and its wonders. The dry season offers excellent conditions for nature enthusiasts interested in nature or primate walks.
Birders with plans to explore birds in Mubwindi can consider embarking on a vacation around March, April, May, or anytime from October to November. These are the best months of the year to find most resident and migratory birds when they are active.
What to bring on the Mubwindi Swamp Tour in Ruhija
List of items to carry for your Mubwindi tour includes gardening gloves, insect repellents, long pants, a camera, a rain jacket, a sweater, a first aid kit, waterproof hiking boots, and a pair of binoculars.
Where to stay
If you plan to explore Mubwindi, you can secure the best accommodation options around the Ruhija sector. The popular lodges and camps to book in the Ruhija region include Agandi Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, and Ruhija Gorilla Lodge.
Getting to Mubwindi Swamp
Mubwindi is found in Bwindi, which is also located in Southwestern Uganda. Visitors can first reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, then proceed with the Mubwindi swamp hiking trail. Getting to Bwindi is possible by road/air, and the two options can be arranged through the tour operator, like Native Africa Tours. Driving to the Ruhija sector in Eastern Bwindi takes about 9-10 hours, and the journey involves navigating through the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route.
Via Kigali
Or you can reduce on the long hours by setting off from Kigali, crossing through Chanika or Katuna border to Uganda. Continue from the border crossing up to the Ruhija sector. Using air transportation, you can book a scheduled or chartered flights which depart from Entebbe International Airport/Kajjansi Airfield and land at the Kisoro/Kihihi Airstrip. From the airstrips in Southwestern Uganda, you connect to Ruhija in just a 1.5-hour drive. Domestic flights to Bwindi are currently offered by Aero Link Uganda.
Conclusion: Mubwindi Swamp is one of the vital wetlands in Bwindi and plays a conservation role. Visiting Mubwindi offers you a unique opportunity to explore its rich biodiversity. These include; Albertine Rift endemic species, and also engage in a myriad of experiences. Book now your Uganda safari with Native Africa Tours to explore the hidden wonders in Mubwindi.
