Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda sets itself apart as the ‘gorilla capital’ in the world, with half the world’s population of mountain gorillas. The national park, which is located in Kanungu district in the southwestern part of Uganda, is home to about 459 mountain gorillas.
The national park is part of the renowned Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which is one of the most impassable forest reserves on the African continent. The forest is also famous for its rich biological diversity of both flora and fauna species, with over 400 plant species and more than 350 species of birds, including 23 bird species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley region.
The park spans over a radius of about 321 square kilometers of rainforest. It lies at an altitude between 1,160 and 2,607 meters above sea level. Bwindi national park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government organization that manages nine other national parks in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable national park in Uganda was established in 1991 as a protected area and later the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. Given the park’s location within the rainforest, it receives up to 2,390 mm of rainfall annually.
Activities offered in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla Trekking:
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park is a must do for tourists visiting the national park. Tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi national park is the most commonly done activity in the national park.
Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda has a total of 18 habituated gorilla families, of which 15 of these gorilla groups can be tracked by tourists while the rest are strictly meant for research purposes.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park can be done in groups of a maximum of eight people per gorilla group. Each tracking group is allocated a park guide and ranger to ensure the protection of both the tourists and the gorillas alike.
Gorilla trekking activities in Bwindi national park commence at Buhoma visitor center for visitors doing gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector. Visitors can also track mountain gorillas from three other sectors in the park which include; Rushaga, Nkuringo in the southern part of the park and Ruhija in the eastern part of the park.
Gorilla trekking activities in Bwindi national park usually commence at 7am in the morning with visitor registration which is followed by a briefing from the park’s head ranger.
Visitors interested in tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park can purchase a gorilla trekking permit at a fee of USD 700 dollars per person. The national park provides eight trekking permits for each of the gorilla groups, thus issuing a daily maximum of 120 permits.
However, visitors are advised to book their gorilla trekking permits at least six months in advance in order to avoid any inconveniences that come with late bookings and permit unavailability, especially during the peak seasons when gorilla trekking activities in Bwindi are on high demand.
Birding:
Birding in Bwindi forest national park is quite an experience for any bird lovers out there. The national park has about 350 recorded bird species that reside within the Bwindi impenetrable forest.
Bird watching in Bwindi national park is best done from River Ivi trailhead which is strategically located between Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors. Other recommended bird-watching spots in Bwindi national park include; Munyaga River trail, Mubwindi Swamp trail and the Bamboo trail in Ruhija.
Guided Nature Walks:
Although gorilla trekking is the main activity in Bwindi national park, visitors can also opt to take a guided nature walk in the Bwindi forest. While on a guided nature walk in the park, you will be able to view lots of wildlife animals that call the forest home for example; forest elephants, duikers, warthogs, and various species of birds such as broadbill, ross’s Turaco, black bee-eater, handsome francolin, Rwenzori batis, and the red faced woodland warbler to mention but a few.
Community Cultural Tours:
Community Cultural Tours in Bwindi Impenetrable national park in Uganda are nothing but a phenomenal experience for anyone visiting the park. Community cultural tours can be combined with gorilla trekking in the park.
While on a community cultural tour in Bwindi national park, you will have an opportunity to interact with local Bakiga and Batwa (pygmy) communities, interact with the locals and get to learn more about their indigenous cultures.
Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Visitors looking to spend a night or two in the park can always find accommodation in the following facilities; Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi, Gorilla Resort, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge among others.
Getting to the Park.
Visitors can access Bwindi forest national park in Uganda either by road or air. The park is located about 460kms from Kampala. This is convenient for visitors driving to Buhoma which are the park’s headquarters. The national park can also be accessed from Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is approximately 160kms from Bwindi.
