Mubwindi Swamp trail is one of the best hiking trails located in Ruhija area in Eastern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is a 4-5 hour enriching trail leading nature enthusiasts through the lush jungles and slopes of a lush tropical rainforest. This trail comes with breathtaking views of the undulating valleys and the surrounding Virunga Volcanoes.
Mubwindi trail is a preferred birding trail in Bwindi. While on a guided walk through Mubwindi, there is a chance to enjoy sight of endemic and localized birds. These include the African green broadbill, blue headed sunbird, short-tailed warblers, and Shelley’s crimson wings.
Other bird species to identify along this trail include African fish eagle, cattle egrets, pigeons, bat hawks, black crakes, crowned hornbills, giant kingfishers, African jacanas, hadada ibis, black bee-eaters, common cuckoos, sacred ibis, ross turacos, greater honey guide to mention but a few.
Mubwindi also enriches visitors with great sights of diverse primates including chimpanzees, monkeys, bush pigs, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, buffaloes, duikers, bushbucks, and on a lucky day mountain gorillas. Embarking on this trail may require you to have permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Best time to go hiking Mubwindi trail
The dry season is the most ideal period for you to successfully conquer the Mubwindi trail. This is from June to September, December to February –favorable months with low or no rainfall and the trails are generally passable. There is still a chance to get there to explore Mubwindi during the wet or rainy season. This is from March to May, October to November but the challenge with these months is that they come with heavy rains and vegetation can be dense while the trail becomes slippery.
What to carry for hiking tour in Mubwindi
Some of the essentials for you to carry on Mubwindi hiking experience include gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, trousers, light daypack, a good camera, a pair of binoculars, energy giving snacks, rain jacket, long cotton shocks, sunscreen, extra camera battery and memory card, waterproof hiking boots, a sweater, and more.
Where to stay
If Mubwindi swamp trail is your favorite hiking trail then consider booking accommodation around Ruhija area. The numerous lodges to consider for a night stay in or around Ruhija sector include Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Eco Marvel Gorilla Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Broadbill Forest Camp, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp and others.
How to get there
By road –Ruhija is accessible from Kampala through Masaka city-Mbarara, Kabale, Kanungu route and this is 8-10 hours’ drive. From Kigali, you can also drive for 4 to 5 hours via Katuna or Cyanika border to Ruhija. By air, you can get to Ruhija by flight starting from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip. From Kisoro airstrip, you can spend 1.45 hours to get to the eastern sector to check in at your pre-booked accommodation.
Other popular trails in Bwindi NP include Kashasha river trail, Munyanga river trail, Ivy river trail, waterfall trail, Rushura, Rusizi river trails, bamboo trail, Muzabajiro trail, and Habinyanja trail.
Other key things to do in Bwindi besides hiking include gorilla trekking –the premier experience enjoyable in this park. Engaging on this adventure requires a valid permit which costs USD 800 per person. Birding –a total of 350 species of birds survive within Bwindi NP and include the rare endemic Albertine rift species and resident species, cycling around communities and bikes are available for hire from the Ride 4 a Woman; and Batwa community/cultural experience.