Kashasha trail in Bwindi
Kashasha trail in Bwindi: Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. The national park is known for mountain gorilla trekking because it’s home to these endangered species of primates. Bwindi doesn’t only offer mountain gorilla trekking activities but also birding, biking, hiking, and nature walks to mention but a few.
Mountain gorilla trekking is the main activity in Bwindi but this is combined with other park activities among which include hiking and nature walks. Different nature walk trails have been constructed in the park and this is because they want tourists to explore the wild on foot. Each gorilla trekking region has got trails and they offer different opportunities.
Kashasha trail in Bwindi
Kishasha trail is one of the forest trails in Bwindi national park connecting Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors. Kashasha trail is 17km long and it’s from Buhoma sector in the north to Nkuringo sector in the south. Kashasha trail is one of the longest trails in Bwindi taking 6-7 hours to be completed. The trails offer tourists great views of the wild animals in the park and these include mammals, primates, birds, and plant species.
While going through Kashasha trail in Bwindi with a help of an armed ranger guide, you will encounter animals such as buffaloes, elephants, duikers, chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, otters, and giant forest hogs among others. Bird lovers are the ones that more use these trails to encounter some of the 350 bird species in the park and some of them include the great blue turaco, crowned hornbill, lesser honey guide, hadada ibis, black kite, shikra, purple heron, African jacana, ross turaco, black bee-eater, grey crowned crane, and olive pigeon, etc.
Things to pack for hiking in Bwindi
Travelers that are visiting Bwindi for gorilla trekking and later hiking safaris need to pack waterproof shoes, long cotton clothes, gardening gloves, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved pants, a rain jacket, a sweater, insect repellents, a light backpack, camera, a pair of binoculars, energy giving snacks and drinking water bottle among others.
When to go for forest walks in Bwindi
Travelers can use these forest walks in Bwindi national park any time of the year however the dry season is the best time to walk through these trails. The dry season occurs from June to September and December to February and they are characterized by little or no rainfall that makes the trail stay dry and passable, the vegetation is short and thin with clear views of the birds, mammals, and primates among others.
Tourists can still use Kishasha trail from Buhoma sector to Nkuringo and vice versa in the rainy seasons of March to May and October to November but they need to know that during that time, the trail is muddy and slippery which reduces the speed of walking and the vegetation is tall and thick with bad views of the wildlife in the park.
Accommodation facilities in Bwindi
Travelers that are planning to have Kashasha trail forest in Bwindi should book accommodation facilities in Bwindi and Nkuringo region because this is where the trail is located. The lodges in Buhoma and Nkuringo range from budget to mid-range to luxury options and they include Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Ride 4 Women Guest House, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, and Haven Lodge among others.
