Kashasha River Trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Kashasha River trail is more challenging than any other trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It offers a view of the natural wonders of the park and its forested areas. Kashasha River Trail connects the southern part of the park (Nkuringo) to the northern part (Buhoma). Visitors in these two sectors can easily explore any of the two gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda within the Rift Valley escarpment. The park was established in 1991. The first gorilla family to be available for tracking in the park was the Mubare family in 1993. Now there are over 19 gorilla families available for tracking by travelers.
The park is also home to other wildlife like warthogs, bushbucks, elephants, butterfly species, bird species, small primates, and many others. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into four sectors that is Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija. Kashasha River trail is about 17 kilometers connecting the southern sector to the Northern sector of the park and it takes about 6 to 7 hours through this trail. In the park, it is considered to be the longest trail in the park.
What to see in Kashasha trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
While on the Kashasha trail, there are several attractions that travelers on their Uganda safaris can encounter and they include;
Bird species
In the park, there are over 400 bird species that travelers encounter during the safari and 23 of them are Albertine Rift Valley species. The bird species in the park include the Ruwenzori turaco, black kite, hornbill, and many others.
Butterfly species
Butterflies are other attractions that travelers encounter on their safaris on the Kashasha trail. There are over 200 butterfly species and 8 of them are Albertine rift valley species.
Wildlife
This trail also has several wildlife species that travelers encounter on their safaris. The wildlife in the park includes elephants, mountain gorillas, warthogs, chimpanzees, and many others. The other wildlife encountered by travelers is the reptiles like the 3 horned chameleons, snakes, lizards, and many others.
What to do in the Kashasha trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
While in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are several activities that travelers on their visit to the Kashasha trail can engage in and they include;
Hiking
Hiking is one of the activities that travelers on their Uganda safaris can engage in for a hike. The hike on this trail takes you through the densely vegetated areas of the park. During the hike on the Kashasha trail, there are several challenges that travelers encounter like a slippery trail, heavy rains, and many others.
Nature walk
Nature walks or long walks are among the key activities that travelers on their Uganda safaris engage in for a safari on the Kashasha trail in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The walk takes about 6 to 7 hours of the day connecting from Buhoma to Nkuringo.
Birding
While on a safari to this trail, there are several bird species that travelers on their Uganda safaris encounter. In this area, there are over 400 bird species and some of these include; mountain oriole, black-billed turaco, regal bird, Rwenzori batis, kivu ground thrush, and many others.
What to pack for a safari to the Kashasha River trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Travelers on their Uganda safaris to the Kashasha River trail in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are supposed to pack the following to consider a successful safari in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Waterproof shoes
- Long cotton jackets
- Water bottle to keep hydrated.
- Park entrance and guide fee.
- Pair of binoculars for sightseeing.
Is Kashasha River Trail in Bwindi challenging?
There are several challenges that travelers encounter during a safari to the Kashasha River trail and they include;
- Steep and rugged train of the trails of the Kashasha River trail
- High altitude of about 2000 meters above the sea level
- Mud and slippery paths which may hinder the walk in the park
- Bad weather conditions like heavy rains, fog, and many others
Accommodation facilities near Kashasha River Trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
While in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, travelers visit the Kashasha trail, and there are several accommodation facilities where travelers on their Uganda safaris can stay. The accommodation facilities are usually based in the Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors. These facilities range from midrange to luxury, and budget facilities. In the Buhoma sector, the facilities include; Buhoma Lodge, Ride 4 a Woman Community Lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Lodge, and many others. In the Nkuringo sector, the facilities include; Nkuringo Lodge, Virunga Volcano Lodge, Papyrus Guest House, Rushaga Gorilla Havens, and many others.
How to access Bwindi impenetrable National Park?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accessed by both road and air transport. By road, travelers will take about 8 to 9 hours to reach the park from Kampala using the Kampala-Kabale highway. Travelers can access the park from Rwanda where travelers will take about 6 to 7 hours to reach the park using either the Cyanika border or Katuna border. While using air transport, travelers will use scheduled chartered flights from either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to the different airstrips around the park. The airstrips include Kisoro Airstrip and Kihihi Airstrip. Travelers will take two hours to reach the park from the different airstrips.
What is the best time to visit Kashasha River Trail in Bwindi National Park?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is open for travelers throughout the year. The best time is usually the dry season June to September and December to February. This is the best time since the park is more clear and dry for a visit to the Kashasha trail in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park since the park is dry and clear for the viewing of the wildlife.
