Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in south-western Uganda at the edge of western Rift Valley. At an area of 321kilometres and an altitude of 1160-2607 kilometers above sea level, this gorilla safari park stretches of 32092 hectares and is one of the giant Afro-montane woodland forest in East Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was gazzetted as a national park in 1991 and it was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi is also a source of five major rivers that flow into Lake Edward due to the fact that it’s located in an area with steep ridges and valley. The gigantic rainforest is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorillas thus a major Uganda gorilla safari destination to visit the endangered mount gorillas. Gorillas are the most common and worldly known attraction in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Bwindi impenetrable forest national Park features dense undergrowth mixed with mature tropical trees on a rugged landscape all of which justify this as impenetrable forest.
The various sectors of the National park are; Buhoma, Ruhijja, Rushaga, and Nkurigo under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The forest is also a home for 120 species of mammals, including various primates like the colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, as well as antelopes and elephants, about 350 bird species for example the hornbills, turacos and many others, around 220 butterfly species, about 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos, and many other endangered species as well as about 23 Albertine Rift endemics. The forest itself has over 163 species of trees, over 1000 flowering plant species and about 104 species of ferns.
In some regions of Bwindi there are craft stalls and guiding services. And through village walks and workshops, there are opportunities of discovering and seeing the performances of the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures in this community
Tourist activities / attractions in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Gorilla trekking is definitely one of the activities which should not be missed out while on a Uganda safari. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is home to over 400 mountain gorillas and that gorilla trekking forms the major tourist activity in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Bwindi has about 20 habituated gorilla families currently that are ready to be visited by tourists every day. Each gorilla family shares unique history and experiences and they are distributed within 4 main trailheads where the usual treks normally kick start in this park including; Buhoma trailhead, Ruhija trailhead, Nkuringo trailhead and Rushaga trailhead. Gorilla trekking In Bwindi costs only $700 therefore tourists who want to go for gorilla trekking are required to have their Gorilla trekking permit which can be acquired through contacting the Uganda Wildlife Authority head offices or through a tour operator. Through gorilla trekking, tourists are only allowed to spend one hour with the gorillas and only 8 trekkers are allowed per gorilla family. The age limit for one to go for a gorilla trek is limited at 15 years therefore clients below 15 years are not accepted for gorilla trekking. Therefore through your trek through the forest, you will be able to view the colorful beautiful birds, butterflies, the black and white colobus monkeys and many other plant and animal species.
Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Since 2015, Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced the Gorilla Habituation Experience (GHE). This new adventure that was introduced in Bwindi impenetrable national park is a remarkable primate experience that takes you through the semi habituated gorilla families with researchers something different from normal treks. Visitors on this adventure can spend 4 hours on a face to face encounter with the great Apes in addition to the entire day following them in the wild unlike one hour of magical encounter during gorilla trekking. This primate experience rewards visitors with more about these great apes’ behavior and body gestures. This once in a lifetime opportunity is only, available in Uganda (Bwindi National Park). This is one of the interesting things that sets Bwindi National park from the other parks. Gorilla habituation experience permits Cost a fee of $1500 for foreign non residents
Bird Watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is the best birding safari tour destination. Bird Watching is an exciting experience in addition to mountain Gorilla Tracking. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the most popular birding sites in Africa. In 2011 it was voted Africa’s number one birding site which is an ideal habitat for a variety of birds, the recorded bird species are 360 with 14 of these not recorded elsewhere in Uganda and 90% of these are known to be Albertine rift endemics such as short tailed warbler and blue headed sunbird as well as seven IUCN red data listed species of birds. Other birds which are easy to see include; Common Bulbul, African Emerald cuckoo, African blue, White tailed blue, Fly catchers, African green pigeon, African harrier hawk, Cinnamon-chested bee eater, Crowned hornbill, Giant kingfisher, Kiev gerund thrush. The beauty of doing bird watching in Bwindi is that you may catch a sight of mountain gorillas and other wildlife which makes your adventure a memorable one. Bird Watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is commonly done along the main trail, the Buhoma Waterfall Trail, Bamboo Zone and Mubwindi Swamp Trail in Ruhija.
Hiking experiences in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
With over 6 designated nature trails in Buhoma sector, Bwindi impenetrable national park is a true paradise for nature lovers. A nature walk is one of the best ways to explore what this park has to offer to visitors. It exposes you to several incredible attractions most of which include splendid waterfalls, primates, butterflies, tree species, birds, plant among others. The key nature trails for you to explore while on a safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park include;
River Munyanga walk that comes with amazing sight of a variety of birds and primates as well as splendid Munyanga waterfalls.
Ivi river walk which is exceptional for bird watching. The other trails include the bamboo trail walk, Rushura hill walk, Muzubijiro loop that takes hikers through 6 kilometer walk around the beautiful hills and catch a glimpse at a number of primates and bird species, habiyanja trails which last between 4 to 6 hours walk among others.
Batwa cultural experience
The Batwa are believed to be the oldest indigenous tribe in Uganda. These people highly depend on the forest and had for a long time co-existed with animals and plant life .The Batwa cultural experience will have travelers reliving the lives and practices of the Batwa, they will share and demonstrate how they lived, hunted, cooked, use sticks to make fire, collected wild honey and share Knowledge of the plants that they used both for food and medicine. The sad songs and exotic dances will also be shared during the experience.
Cultural encounters around Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Diverse cultural groups surround Bwindi impenetrable national park, they include Bakiga, Bafumbira and the Batwa with their interesting traditions that are designed to entertain visitors to Uganda with a memorable rewarding experience. Some of the community groups that provide visitors with rich Uganda cultural tradition in Bwindi include; Buhoma community tours, Nkuringo community conservation and development foundation, Buninga forest nature walk, Nkuringo cultural center, Nyundo community eco trail and Rubuguri village walk among others.
Nature walks around Bwindi impenetrable national park.
There are mainly six nature trails that are designed to enable visitors explore Bwindi. They include; Munyange waterfall trail in Buhoma region- good for primates and bird watching, Rushura hill trail which provides tourists with the opportunities to view the peaks of Rwenzori and virunga mountain ranges and lakes like Lake Edward and Lake George as well as the scenery of the Rift Valley floor. Muzabajiro loop also allows the views of Virunga ranges, primates and birds. At the tops of this trails, picnicking is much rewarding.
When to Go See the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking can be conducted all year around in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the months of June, July, August, September and December. This is because there are less rains and the parks are drier, making it simple to hike and see the gorillas.
January and February: Low season offering less huge crowds With Very little or no rain.
March, April and May: It rains a lot during these months. Most challenging during the trek and the slopes are slippery.
June, July & August: Peak season, it’s important to buy your Gorilla trekking permits early since they run out. Best time for gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
Where to stay while at Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable has the highest range of accommodations given its division into 4 sectors each with its own accommodation. Buhoma and Nkuringo with favorable luxury lodges, restaurants, budget campsites and rustic Bandas.
Buhoma has a good number of high end lodges like Buhoma lodge, Mahogany springs Lodge, Bwindi lodge among others. Other luxury lodges include; silverback safari lodge, Nkuringo gorilla lodge, chameleon hill lodge among others.
Mid-range lodges include; gorilla mist lodge, Buhoma community haven lodge, Rushaga gorilla camp, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, trekkers tavern lodge among others.
Budget Lodges include; Bakiga lodge, Buhoma rest camp, Karungi camp, Ruhija friends resort.
Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National park
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is accessible both by road and by air.
By road, the journey takes about 9-10 hours while driving from Kampala city center or Entebbe airport. From Kampala to Kabale you will drive for a distance of about 414 Kilometers approximately 6 to 7 hours drive and then you will drive 120 kilometers from Kabale to Buhoma park headquarters through Kanungu and Kantantoorogo on murram road which takes you nearly 3 to 4 hours. You will need a 4X4 drive. From Kabale to Ruhija, you will drive for a distance of 95kilometres approximately 3 to 4 hours.
By air, you can fly from Entebbe international airport or kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro airfield or kihihi airstrip and then connect by road up-to the park. Aerolink Uganda has daily schedule flights from Entebbe to Bwindi impenetrable national park.
