Bizenga River is a permanent river located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in the Buhoma region, which is the northern sector for gorilla trekking.
The river flows from a higher altitude, originating from the forests of Bwindi, downwards into the valley. Bizenga River can be explored easily using the Munyanga River trail, one of Buhoma sector’s trails, which tourists enjoy for about an hour.
It is favorable to visit Bizenga River during the dry season when the trails are dry for easier passage.
The Bizenga River in the Buhoma sector is near the first gorilla group to be opened for gorilla trekking—the Mubare gorilla group.
This means that as tourists trek to see these gorillas, they also get the chance to explore the river.
The Buhoma sector is home to other gorilla groups, including Katwe, Rushengura, and Habinyanja, among others.
Features and Attractions
Bizenga River is surrounded by various tourist attractions that showcase its natural beauty, including:
- Waterfalls: The Bizenga River features waterfalls, offering breathtaking displays of the power of nature.
- Rocks: The river is surrounded by rocks, creating natural sculptures that are both beautiful and intriguing.
- Birds: The river is home to various species of birds such as the Black bee-eater, Doherty’s bush shrike, Regal sunbird, Black-billed turaco, Shelley’s crimsonwing, Mountain oriole, Handsome spurfowl, Crowned hornbill, among others.
How to Access Bizenga
- By Road: Tourists can drive from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and then head to the Buhoma sector, a journey that takes about 8 to 10 hours. Tourists coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park can drive to the Buhoma sector within 3 hours.
- By Air: Visitors can take a plane from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield for about an hour to Kihihi and then drive to the Buhoma sector of the park.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Bizenga River is during the dry season when the trails are dry, making passage easier.
The dry months are from June to September and December to February.
How Bizenga River Contributes to the Ecosystem in the Park
Bizenga River is very important to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the following ways:
- Habitat: The river acts as a home to some aquatic wildlife such as otters, aquatic birds, and aquatic plants. Conserving the river means protecting the aquatic life.
- Climate Modification: Through evaporation, the river contributes to the formation of rainfall in the national park.
- Nutrient Cycling: The river transports nutrients that facilitate the growth of vegetation in the park.
Activities to Engage In
- Birding
- Batwa cultural experience
- Guided nature walks
- Gorilla trekking
- Gorilla habituation
- Hiking
- Community walks
Bizenga River is a beautiful river that provides an amazing view of the park.
