Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi impenetrable national park also referred to as Bwindi Forest national park is a prime Uganda Safari destination popular for being the most rewarding mountain gorilla destination in the world, the park is located in the Southwestern Uganda.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 1994 because of its rich biodiversity in hosting different flora and fauna and being a home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a true African jungle with droplets of the sun coming through the thick forest cover thus giving a feeling of being in paradise with zero pollution, the park is dominated by thick impenetrable forest and it covers an area of 321 square kilometers. Some areas of the park are covered by bamboo and shrubs and the forest lies on steep slippery valleys with ridge and hilltops.
Because of the immerse canopy, the weather in Bwindi is chilly so visitors are advised to carry some warm clothing such as sweaters for evenings and long sleeved shirts and trousers for the trekking.
Bwindi impenetrable national park lies at an altitude between 1160 meters – 2607 meters above the sea level, the park’s terrain is hilly which why visitors need to been in good physical state.
Bwindi impenetrable national park’s prime attraction is the mountain gorillas which are critically endangered, Bwindi is one of the 4 protected areas in the world where you can find the gorillas. The other 3 are Mgahinga Gorilla national park also found in Uganda, Virunga national park found in Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes national park found in Rwanda.
Gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is divided into 4 trail heads / gorilla sectors where gorilla trekking happens, these are Nkuringo sector, Ruhija Sector, Rushaga and Buhoma Sector.
The park currently hosts 20 gorilla families which are habituated for tourists, each of the 4 gorilla sectors hosts its own gorilla families
Note: when visitors decide to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park for gorilla trekking, they are allocated a gorilla sector and gorilla family to trek.
Gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park include
- Mubare Gorilla Family – Buhoma
- Habinyanja Gorilla Family – Buhoma
- Rushegura Gorilla Family – Buhoma
- Bitukura Gorilla Family- Ruhija
- Oruzogo Gorilla Family – Ruhija
- Nkuringo Gorilla Family – Nkuringo
- Nshongi Gorilla Family – Rushaga
- Mishaya Gorilla Family – Rushaga
- Kahungye Gorilla Family – Rushaga
- Bweza Gorilla Family- Rushaga
- Busingye Gorilla Family – Rushaga
- Kyaguriro Gorilla Family – (Ruhija)
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home to approximately 120 mammal species though they are rarely seen as they hide in the thickets of the dense forests, animals in Bwindi include large and small mammals.
Animals in Bwindi impenetrable national park include Elephants, duikers, buffaloes, golden cats, bush pigs, and giant forest hogs, black-fronted Duiker, yellow-backed duiker, clawless otter, side-striped jackal, civet, numerous bats and rodents among others.
In addition to Mountain gorillas, Bwindi impenetrable national park hosts other 10 primate species that are black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, De Brazza monkeys, Red-tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey, Potto, Demidoff’sGalago, Spectacled Galago, Baboons and Chimpanzee.
Birds in Bwindi impenetrable National Park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home to about 350 species of birds include 23 Albertine Rift endemics and 14 of which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda, Bwindi forest is the best place for birding in Uganda that is because of its unique bird species. There are also globally threatened species including Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimson-wing. Other bird species in Bwindi include Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, White-bellied Robin Chat, Black billed Turaco, Fraser’s Eagle, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds among others.
Birding in Bwindi impenetrable national park is mainly done in the Mubwindi Swamp found in the Ruhija sector, The Neck is a stretch of the forest joining Ruhija to the Buhoma Sector, the Buhoma area best for bird watching is on the waterfall.
Butterflies and Amphibians
Bwindi impenetrable national park hosts over 200 butterfly species including 8 Albertine Rift Endemics including African giant swallowtail and Cream-banded swallowtail, other amphibian species in Bwindi forest are 27 species with 11 endemic to the Albertine Rift, 14 snake species and 14 lizard species.
Activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest
Bwindi impenetrable national park is most rewarding gorilla destination in the world hosting half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, gorilla trekking offers you an opportunity to stay in amidst the gorillas in their natural habitat for one hour.
This activity starts early in morning with briefing and it is done in groups of 8 people, only individuals above the age of 15 are allowed to participate in gorilla trekking and anyone with any sort of illness are not allowed to participate in this activity.
Before you trek into the forests, you are taken through rules and regulations to follow, grouped into groups of 8 people and then be assigned a gorilla family to trek. With guidance of a ranger guide, you hike into the jungle looking for mountain gorillas. The trek lasts for about 4-6 hours depending on the movement of the mountain gorillas and the group you are trekking, when you located the gorillas you are allowed to stay in their presence for one hour while taking pictures and observing their behavior.
Note: visitors are advised to keep a distance of 8 meters between them and mountain gorillas.
For visitor who wish to spend more time with the mountain gorillas, they can Gorilla habituation experience which allows you to spend a full day in the presence of mountains together with researchers.
Bird watching
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a primate Uganda birding spot and it was named as Africa’s number birding spot by Africa Bird Club, bird watching in this jungle is done on several birding trails running. The park is a home to over 350 bird species including 23 Albertine Rift Endemics and 14 species which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda
Birds to lookout for during bird watching in Bwindi impenetrable national park include Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimson-wing. Other bird species in Bwindi include Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, White-bellied Robin Chat, Black billed Turaco, Fraser’s Eagle, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds among others.
Nature and waterfalls walks
Nature and forest walks in Bwindi impenetrable national park are done on several trails leading you to beautiful waterfalls where you can swim in water pools, this activity is done under the supervision of an armed Uganda Wildlife ranger for your protection from wild animals.
Trails used for Nature and waterfalls include
- Buhoma – Nkuringo trail which takes 4 – 5 hours crossing through the national park.
- Rushura Hill walk – a trail through forest shared between Congo and Uganda. Muyanga waterfall wal
- Ivi River Walk – 14 kms and takes about 7 hours.
- Muzubijiro Loop – 6km walk around the hill where you have chances of interacting with primates and birds.
Mountain Hiking and biking
Bwindi impenetrable national park is found in a mountainous area with beautiful scenery offering adventurous mountain hiking and biking experiences, bikes can be rented from the safari lodges and hotels. Mountain biking is done on special trails created in the community and some of them include the Ivi river trail starting from Buhoma Park headquarters to the Ivi river, this trail is organized by ride for a woman.
Community walks and Cultural experiences
Bwindi forest is surrounded by communities of the Batwa – who lived in the forests of Bwindi for years before being forcefully evicted, during a visit to the Batwa village you will get an insight into the life the Batwa lived while in the forest. You will be entertained by local dances and drama, demonstration of their hunting skills, get a taste of their local food and be entertained by local dances and drama.
Community walks and cultural experiences are done on different walks including
- Buniga Forest nature walk – forest reserve in Nkuringo and is adjacent to Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Nyundo Community Eco trails
- King Bakyara’s waterfall trail
- You’re the village Aquaponics project with Conservation through Public Health (CTPH)
- Buhoma Community tours taking you on a visit to the Batwa community, traditional healer, primary school, handcraft shops and learn how bananas are used to make juice, beer, gin and taste them.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the South western Uganda and to there, road and air means of transport are used.
By Air
There are scheduled / charter flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjanis to Kihihi Town connecting to Buhoma Sector or to Kisoro Airstrip if you are connecting to Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sector. These flights are offered by several flight companies such as Aerolink, Bar Aviation among others.
By road
By road it is a drive of approximately 8-9 hours of drive from Kampala to Bwindi, there are several routes used when visiting the park and they are
- Kampala – Kabale – Ruhija
- Kampala – Ntungamo – Rukungiri – Kihihi – Buhoma/Nyondo
- Kampala – Kabale – Kisoro – Rushaga/Nkuringo.
Where to stay in Bwindi impenetrable national park
In the park, there are several accommodation options located in the 4 sectors, visitors are advised to book their accommodations basing on the sector they are doing gorilla trekking.
Buhoma Sector
Buhoma Lodge
Bwindi Lodge
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge
Mahogany Springs
Buhoma Haven Lodge
Silverback Lodge
Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Rushaga Sector
Chameleon Hill
Bwindi Jungle Lodge
Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Gorilla Valley Lodge
Ruhija Sector
Bakiga Lodge
Broadbill Forest Camp
Agandi Lodge
Nkuringo Sector
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Nkuringo Safari Lodge
