WATERFALLS IN BWINDI NATIONAL PARK?

Hiking or nature walk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park doesn’t only reward hikers with astonishing sights at variety of primates, birds but a magical view at the scenic waterfalls-the hidden treasures. Waterfalls in Bwindi National Park have not been fully explored and hikers on Uganda safari get a reward of authentic experiences

Discover Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while on hiking or nature walk and explore the magical Muyanga and Bayenda waterfalls. The trails to these waterfalls come with amazing sights at variety of primates, birds and floral species. Bwindi National Park is found in Kisoro, Kabale and Kanungu in southwestern Uganda just at the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This park inhabits several species of mammals including half of all the 1004 mountain gorillas that thrive on earth, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons; over 350 birds including the African broadbill, about 400 plants among others

Muyanga waterfall

Muyanga waterfalls are hidden treasures within Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This region is in the northern side of this pristine park and it is not only popular for thrilling gorilla trekking experiences but also rewarding hikes that lead hikers to such magical sites especially the Muyanga waterfalls. Exploring these waterfalls can be best done after gorilla trek

Hikers to Muyanga waterfalls wind through the lush montane rain-forest and bush track with log bridges at river crossings. It is 9kms hike which also comes with astonishing sights along the way including the unique flora and variety of species. The park rangers take hikers on Uganda safari through their hike to this scenic site. Hikes always begin from Buhoma region via River Ivi Nkuringo trail. Muyanga waterfalls consist of 3 levels and come with picturesque view especially, as they plummet 33 meters. A hike to these waterfalls comes with incredible sights at variety of primates, birds and flora.

Bayenda waterfalls

Bayenda waterfalls offer picturesque view to hikers on Uganda safari. These waterfalls are found in Rushaga region of Bwindi National Park and little is known about them. They strategically set between the large trees and rocks thus offering the best scenic view to hikers with a feel of water drops while enjoying the strong roar and the fresh air.

Trekkers on gorilla safari in Rushaga area are at an added advantage as they can also hike to explore these magical waterfalls. This means, you will be in position to trek habituated families in the southern sector of Bwindi National Park; Kutu, Mucunguzi, Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Bweza, Bikingi and Rwingi group. 

Visitors who wish to explore Bayenda waterfalls can spend a night in the nearby gorilla lodges like Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nshongi Gorilla Camp and Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Best time to visit Bwindi National Park

Bwindi National Park is open to hikers all year round. However, the dry season is preferably the best to hike to these scenic waterfalls. This season begins from June-September and December-February. It is also fine to visit this park during the wet months of the year. The wet or rainy season in Bwindi National Park is experienced in the months of March, April, May and October, November. During this season, the vegetation is greenish offering you that feel of nature

Getting to Bwindi National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accessible by road, 8-9 hours’ drive and from Kigali, it is 4 hours’ drive. Visitors who start their journey from Kigali will cross Katuna or Chanika border. If you wish to save time, then fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kayonza airfield.

UTC LISTS MORE THAN 1061 BIRD SPECIES IN UGANDA

The Uganda Tourism Center (UTC) lists more than 1061 bird species in Uganda making it an ideal bird watching safari destination in Africa. UTC is an independent tourism and holiday resource center in charge marketing Uganda as tourist destination across the world. Over 1061 distinct bird species were recorded in the UTC listing that was based on orders, families and species as well as common and scientific names.

Most of birding safaris in Uganda are conducted in the 10 national parks, wetlands, forests among other tourist sites. The bird species to identify on Uganda bird watching safari tour include;

Ostriches (Ostrich Struthio camelus)

Ostriches are not only the largest birds but also the fastest birds and animals in Africa. They are flightless bird native to Africa and they come with unique appearance, long necks, legs and capable of taking off at high gear.

Bitterns, herons and egrets

The family Ardeidae consists of bitterns, herons and egrets. Only 61 species of these birds exist worldwide and 17 species are all in Uganda including the Striated Heron (Butorides striata); Black-crowned Night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax); White-backed Night-heron (Gorsachius leuconotus); Dwarf Bittern (Ixobrychus sturmii); Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea); Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala0); Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath); Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea); Little Egret (Egretta garzetta); Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides); Madagascar Pond-Heron (Ardeola idae); Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris); Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis); Great Egret (Ardea alba); Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca); Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia).

Shoe bill
The Shoebills are the most sought-after bird species by birders on Uganda birding safari tour. They in large sizes with shoe-like beaks

Ibises and spoonbills

The Threskiornithidae are a family of large terrestrial and wading birds that include the ibises and spoonbills. About 36 species still thrive worldwide, 7 of which are in Uganda and they include Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia); Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus); Spot-breasted Ibis (Bostrychia rara); Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash); Glossy Ibis; (Plegadis falcinellus); African Spoonbill (Platalea alba); Olive Ibis (Bostrychia olivacea).

Flamingos
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds with about 3-5 feet high and they thrive mostly in Western and Eastern Hemispheres. In the world, they remain only 6 species and 2 species exist in Uganda-the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus); Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor).

Shearwaters and petrels

The procellariids belong to main group of medium-sized ‘true petrels’ characterized by united nostrils with a medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Only 75 species thrive worldwide and 1 species is in Uganda that is Antarctic Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus).

Grebes

Grebes come in small to medium large size and mostly freshwater diving birds. They feature lobed toes and they are the best swimmers and divers. Worldwide, about 20 species of these unique birds do exist and 3 of them are in Uganda; including the great crested (Grebe Podiceps cristatus), little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Eared grebe (Podiceps nigricollis).

Pelicans
Pelicans are water dwellers with a unique pouch under the beak. Like other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they feature webbed feet with 4 toes. In the world, there are only 8 species and 2 species are in Uganda; the Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus); Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens).

Cormorants
Crocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration differs with most of them having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colorful. With only 38 species left on earth, 2 species of these are in Uganda that is Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo); Long-tailed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus).

Darters
Darters are also best known as “snake-birds” due to their long thin neck, that gives them snake-like appearance when swimming with their bodies submerged. The males consist of black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage on the neck and underparts. Worldwide, only 4 species of these incredible birds are available and 1 species are in Uganda-the African Darter (Anhinga rufa).

Other bird species in Uganda include

•  Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta)
• Storks including Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis); African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus); Black Stork (Ciconia nigra); Abdim’s Stork (Ciconia abdimii); Woolly necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus); White Stork (Ciconia ciconia); Saddle-billed Stork; Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus). 
• Ducks geese and swans with 131 species remaining worldwide and 23 species in Uganda including the Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor); White-faced Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna viduata); White-backed Duck (Thalassornis leuconotus); Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus); Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis); Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos); Hartlaub’s Duck (Pteronetta hartlaubii); African Pygmy-goose (Nettapus auritus); African Black Duck (Anas sparsa); Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope); Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca); Cape Teal (Anas capensis); Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata); Northern Pintail (Anas acuta); Red-billed Duck (Anas erythrorhyncha); Hottentot Teal (Anas hottentota); Garganey Anas (querquedula); Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata); Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma); Common Pochard (Aythya ferina); Ferruginous Pochard (Aythya nyroca); Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula); Maccoa Duck (Oxyura maccoa)

• Hawks, Kites and eagles
•  Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
•  Secretary birds
•  Caracaras and falcons
• Jacanas
• Oystercatchers
•  Thick knees
• Gulls
• Sandpipers and allies
•   Terns
• Plovers and lapwings
• Sandgrouse
• Pigeons and doves  
• African green breasted pitta
• African green broadbill
• Great Blue Turaco