Visiting Bwindi on Christmas Day – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is usually the number one destination for nature lovers and adventure-seeking travelers on Christmas Day.
The park is home to almost half of the critically endangered mountain gorillas, along with other wild animals such as elephants, black and white colobus, L’Hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, buffaloes, birds, and more.
During Christmas, most countries outside Africa experience winter. Therefore, visiting Bwindi over the Christmas holiday is a great opportunity to escape the cold and enjoy nature with family and friends.
What makes the Christmas holiday a fantastic season are the wonderful packages that service providers and tour operators offer to travelers.
Gorilla permits are in very high demand because the festive season is a peak time when many travelers want to go on safaris in Bwindi.
Therefore, tourists are advised to book their permits 2 to 3 months before Christmas Day.
How to Plan a Christmas Tour to Bwindi
- Choose the Region to Visit: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 4 sectors open for trekking: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo. Tourists should choose the region they prefer.
- Book Gorilla Permits in Advance: Tourists are advised to book their permits 2 to 3 months before Christmas Day because they sell out quickly.
- Book Accommodation in Advance: Since many people visit Bwindi during Christmas, booking your accommodation early helps secure your place.
- Book Your Transport to Bwindi: Tourists should book their transport in advance to avoid last-minute inconveniences.
Top Activities to Enjoy on Christmas in Bwindi
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking: Bwindi is famous for mountain gorillas. There are about 500 gorilla individuals in the park, living in over 20 families. A visit to Bwindi on Christmas allows you to go gorilla trekking. There are special packages from tour operators depending on the number of days you spend.
- Gorilla Habituation Experience: Gorilla habituation is an activity where gorillas are trained to get used to humans.
During Christmas, tourists are assigned to families undergoing gorilla habituation. It takes about 2 years for gorillas to get used to humans. - Birding: Bwindi is a birdwatcher’s paradise. During the Christmas holiday, tourists can spot birds in their natural habitat.
Bird species include: black-faced rufous warbler, Shelley’s greenbul, red-throated alethe, handsome francolin, black bee-eaters, and fine-banded woodpeckers. - Guided Nature Walks: Nature walks allow tourists to connect with nature. The walks take about 2 to 5 hours and provide opportunities to spot wildlife like birds, butterflies, primates, and more.
- Batwa Cultural Experience: The Batwa people were the original inhabitants of the Bwindi forest. On Christmas Day, tourists can interact with them and learn about their cultures and traditions.
By visiting Bwindi on Christmas, tourists can enjoy the true beauty of nature and create unforgettable memories.
