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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park still stands out as the world’s most preferred gorilla trekking destination with diverse ecosystems. It is one of the well-protected areas in Uganda, fully conserved by not only the Uganda Wildlife Authority but other partners such as the local governments.
The park holds the largest population of endangered mountain gorillas and several other wildlife species. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park features among the 4 parks where the massive mountain gorillas reside. The additional 3 gorilla safari parks include the Virunga National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes National Park.
Where is Bwindi found in Uganda- East Africa?
Bwindi is found in the far Southwestern region of Uganda at the edge of the rift valley and features an extensive Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The park is set close to the Uganda border with the D.R. Congo. This park is surrounded by the Kigezi districts, especially Kanungu and Kabale.
The altitude of the park
Bwindi lies in the highest altitudinal area of Kigezi, rising between the altitude of 1190 and 2607 meters. Its highest altitudinal area is Rwamunyonyi Hill located in the Ruhija sector, the Eastern gorilla trekking sector.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an officially designated Uganda National Park, created in 1991 and it was listed among the UNESCO Heritage Sites in 1994. It is comprised of four regions where gorilla trekking or other activities often begin, that is Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Buhoma.
Wildlife/Animals
Bwindi holds more than 120 species of mammals and most of the park’s animal species reside within the different habitats including the tropical rainforest, wetlands, etc.
The notable mammal species of Bwindi include clawless otters, black-fronted duikers, golden cats, buffaloes, mountain gorillas, rodents, side-striped jackals, giant forest hogs, chimpanzees, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, Demi doff’s galagos, spectacled galagos, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, pottos, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest -bird species
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers refuge to more than 350 bird species and includes 23 species of Albertine rift endemic and 14 species that don’t exist anywhere else in the country (Uganda).
On birding excursion, the park’s birds to search for include the red-throated alethe, dwarf honey guide, Chapin’s flycatchers, bar-tailed trogons, handsome francolins, African wood owl, western bronze napped pigeon, strange weavers, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, purple-breasted sunbird, western green tinker birds, white-bellied robin chats, mountain masked apalis, black-faced rufous warblers, bush shrikes, Neumann’s warblers, Shelley’s crimson wings, black-billed turacos, and others.
Other than birds and gorillas, Bwindi also supports 200 butterfly species, 27 species of amphibians, and floral species.
Things to do in Bwindi
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a hub of several forest activities. Below are some of the things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the leading safari experience Bwindi has to offer the world. Located in Western Uganda, Bwindi holds over 459 mountain gorillas, and four regions all have habituated gorilla families that can be trekked on a gorilla safari. The main gorilla safari sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
Visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park mountain gorillas is a dream come true but participants must have valid gorilla permits. All participants must be 15 years and above to be allowed to track a single family of mountain gorillas in Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
Purchasing a valid gorilla permit for Bwindi is possible at just USD 700 per person and to ensure you enjoy the most of your adventure, you must have waterproof hiking boots, a daypack, a walking stick, gardening gloves, insect repellents, cameras, and other essential items.
Bird watching
Birding in Bwindi takes you through the various habitats to identify a variety of birds, especially the Albertine rift endemic species.
The expected species of birds to keep an eye on a birding tour in Bwindi National Park include the black bee-eaters, Rwenzori Apalis, Shelley’s crimson wings, African broadbill, Neumann’s warblers, short-tailed warblers, Rwenzori nightjars, blue-headed sunbird, yellow streaked greenbul, black-billed turacos, handsome francolins, cinnamon chested bee-eaters, regal sunbirds, and more.
Gorilla habituation
The Gorilla habituation experience offers yet another remarkable opportunity for enthusiastic primate travelers to encounter a family of mountain gorillas, but the focus is visiting semi-habituated families.
Bwindi is the only spot where gorilla habituation is conducted in the world and this rewarding adventure is enjoyable while in the Rushaga sector. Engaging in a gorilla habituation experience is possible on the Uganda gorilla tour but you must have a valid permit, each costing USD1500 per person.
Forest/nature walks
Hiking/nature walking is another incredible experience offering visitors the opportunity to immerse in the dense Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The hikes are done on the various nature walking trails including the Munyaga River trail, Ivy River trail, Buhoma-Nkuringo trail, Muzubijiro Loop, Mubwindi trail, and others. Most of the park’s trails take about 3-4 hours depending on the visitors’ walking speed.
Biking experiences
Mountain biking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP is best conducted along the Buhoma Area. The biking/cycling experience is a local community initiative conducted by the Ride for a woman community group in the Buhoma area.
Community/cultural visits
Community visits should be a must-do on the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest tour. The cultural tours allow you to visit and interact with the Batwa or Bakiga residents in their communities.
The Batwa pygmies offer authentic experiences entailing how they managed to live in the forest for years. They were hunters and gatherers, with knowledge of important medicinal plant species.
When To visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Most activities in Bwindi such as gorilla trekking and hiking are excellently done during the dry season. The park experiences low or completely no rain during the dry months of the year.
This is from June, July, August to September, December, and January to February- these include short & long dry months. There is also the possibility of visiting the park during the wet/rainy season and the wet months start from March to May/October to November.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park lodges
The available places to consider for the overnight stay in Bwindi include Silverback Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, Gorilla Heights, Bakiga Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and others.
Getting to the park for a holiday
Access to Bwindi is possible by road and air- taking road travel involves driving from Kampala/Entebbe for 8-9 hours via the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route or leaving Kigali via Chanika/Katuna border to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. By air, we can arrange a flight for you and flights take off from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip.
