Nombe Forest walk offers the best on-foot-walk experience to nature lovers on Uganda safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The walk through Nombe Forest takes a round trip of 5-6 hours. Visitors can spend about 2 hours to walk through the forest and also approximately 2 to get to the edge of the forest and 2 hours to return. You will navigate through stunning farms in the nearby villages.
Nombe Forest is found next to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, about 5kms from Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. This is found in the southern gorilla trekking region of Bwindi-Nkuringo sector which is popular for its 3 gorilla families. This famous ‘pocket forest’ is credited for its amazing birding experiences. Most birders come to enjoy bird watching in this forest.
Birds in Nombe Forest
Nombe Forest is rich with diverse bird species. The notable birds to expect to come across on Nombe forest walk trail include Kivu ground thrush, Grauer’s warblers, collared apalis, handsome francolin, regal sunbird, dusky crimson wing, purple breasted sunbird, Shelley’s crimson wings, Grauer’s rush warblers, strip-breasted tit, mountain masked apalis, dwarf honey guide, archer’s robin chat, short tailed warblers to mention but a few.
To have a memorable birding experience on Nombe forest walk, ensure that you have a good camera, pair of binoculars, appropriate clothing, rain jacket, insect repellents and other essentials. Forest walks or birding tours in Nombe Forest can be combined with thrilling gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or community visit.
Other birding trails to explore in Bwindi include Kashasha river valley, Ivy river trail, Mubwindi swamp trail Ruhija, Buhoma waterfall trail. Bwindi alone has over 360 bird species and they include among others shelley’s crimson wings, short tailed warblers, blue headed sunbirds, African sooty flycatchers, bee-eaters, African green broadbill.
Access to Nombe Forest
Nombe Forest is accessible 1 hour’s drive from Rushaga gorilla trekking area of Bwindi and half an hour’s drive from Nkuringo region. All these 2 make up the southern gorilla trekking areas/sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a home to 459 mountain gorillas.