Bwindi Impenetrable national park is located in South Western Uganda and occupies 331 sq km. It lies on the edge of the Western Rift valley (Albertine rift) and shared by Kanungu, Kabale and Kisoro districts. The park occupies different vegetation zones but predominantly a tropical rain forest. This is one of the few remaining forests in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age.
Bwindi Impenetrable national park is home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas (326 gorillas). In the World today, it is estimated that there are only 700 remaining mountain gorillas.
Apart from the rare mountain gorillas, the park also has over 120 mammalian species including 11 primates, 200 species of butterflies and about 324 different tree species. These primates include the black-and-white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail, L’Hoest Monkey, Red Tailed monkeys among others. The forest is also rich in birdlife (360 species) with 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics being present in the park. Among the notable bird species include the Short-tailed Warbler, Gruer’s Rush Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, Dusky Crimson Wing, White-tailed Blue Monarch, Wilcock’s Honey-guide, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler Kivu Ground Thrush, among others. These birds cannot be easily cited anywhere in East Africa.
Best known as the wealthiest gorilla trekking destination, Bwindi is home to almost half of the world remaining mountain gorillas.
Once threatened with extinction for years of conservation struggle, mountain gorillas are gradually increasing from time to time. In the local Lukiga language, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest means a dark, difficult, a fearful place, in some places of the park, the canopy of the trees is so thick that no light gets through. There is also a large swamp deep in the forest.
Thankfully the mystical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is not so impenetrable – in fact it is easier to accessible and it is the best place Uganda to track mountain gorillas and is arguably the best place to track them in the three countries where mountain gorillas exist.
Things to See in Bwindi
To support the argument, Bwindi is the only place in East and Central Africa where mountain gorillas and chimpanzees live in the same environment over 860 Chimpanzees – not habituated but often see, the park it is also a place of tremendous biodiversity rarely found – 310 species of trees, over 100 species luscious ferns, over 310 species of butterflies, 346 identified species of birds including birds that are only found in the Western Rift Valley. This wildlife offer can only be found in Bwindi National Park
Just outside of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, visit the Batwa known as pygmies the former forest people who surrendered their interests and ancestral land for the well being of the beautiful endangered primates. These Batwa people still behave in the ancient way despite them staying outside the forest. There dress code never changed, hunting habits still reign and many others.
There are the other tour activities that tourists to Bwindi enjoy most. Alternatively consider an afternoon forest nature walk to the park waterfalls, monkey resting point or A transfer to lake Bunyonyi a relaxing lake full of different islands and amazing water sports. Those are the most interesting tour adventures that keep Bwindi forest in the historical travel destinations.
Where to Go Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
- The Buhoma Area: The Buhoma area comprises of the lowest altitude in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it is also a less strenuous tracking location, it has the most lodging facilities from budget to luxurious with very beautiful views of the incredible forest. At times some of the lodging facilities are visited by some gorillas- an added advantage. Buhoma has three habituated of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Mubare Group – Habinyanja Group – Rushegura Group.
- Ruhija Area: The Ruhija area of te park comprises of the following gorilla family group :- Bitukura Group or the newly added Oruzogo Group it is best for you to stay in one of the lodging facilities locates in this area, unless you would like to take a 2 hour ride on a rocky road prior to your gorilla trekking experience at Ruhija. Ruhija 2350m altitude, 1000m higher than Buhoma. The Ruhija area has been a birders destination and one can have a guided walk to the Mubwindi swamp or the Bamboo trail with its various vegetation and the rewarding stunning view of Lake Bunyonyi when you reach the top – more reasons to make Bwindi Impenetrable forest the best place for Gorilla tracking.
- Rushaga Area: The Rushaga area is situated in the southern sector Bwindi national park. Relatively newly developed but there are up-market and rustic budget choices for you. Rushaga area comprises of the following forilla families:- Mishaya Group and the Nshongi Group. The Mishaya Group led by the silverback Mishaya broke off from the Nshongi Gorilla Family and started his own in the Rushaga area. The Nshongi Gorilla Family was a part of the “Friend a Gorilla” campaign as it was launched, a most wonderful celebration with various celebrities in attendance. In the Rushaga area once again you can not only track gorillas, but hike the trails, take a village walk
Nkuringo Area: The Nkuringo area offers the best views in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest but it also an area where you are going to burn a few calories gorilla tracking especially as you return from your gorilla trek climbing up a long distance toward the top – no one complains – the experience of visiting the Nkuringo Group or the newly habituated Kahugye Gorilla Family Group is well worth the effort. Other safari encounters in the area include a village walk where you get to taste locally brewed sorghum beer and some local food, meet the people, there is also the top of world walk with stunning panoramic views of the Virunga Volcano chain.
Gorilla Tracking
It is the main tourism activity in the park. There are four habituated gorilla groups Mubare group (10 gorillas, 1 silverback), Habinyanja group (18 gorillas, 1 silverback), Rushegura group (10 gorillas, 1 silverback) and Nkuringo group (19 gorillas).
Guided Forest Walks
In the park, there are four hiking trails. On these trails you have the opportunity to see and learn about different tree species, birds, butterflies, and other scenic features in the forest such as the Munyaga waterfalls on Munyaga River, as well as the spectacular views of Lake Edward and the Rwenzori mountains.
Cultural Walks
Visitors to the park participate in captivating and memorable traditional performances presented by Women and orphan groups and this is usually done in the evening.
Bird Watching
Bwindi is the bird watchers paradise! It holds 346 species of birds and contains 90% of the Albertine endemics which cannot easily be found in any other part of East Africa. The Ruhija and Buhoma areas offer any experienced tourists an opportunity to identify about 100 bird species in just one day!
UWA Tips on Gorilla Trekking
- Keep your voice down or be quiet while tracking. You will see and hear the gorillas if you observe that.
- Don’t get closer than 7 metres (21 feet) to the gorillas
- Don’t point or waive your arms to the gorillas- this can be seen as a threat.
- Move slowly. If approached by a gorilla, back away slowly to keep 5m separation.
- Don’t use flash while taking photos. This could threaten the gorillas and bother other visitors.
Getting There
Bwindi Impenetrable National park can be accessed by both road and air transport. From Kampala via Mbarara highway the drive takes 6-8 hours. From Queen Elizabeth National Park the journey takes 2-3 hours and from Kabale the park can be accessed in a period of 1-2 hours. For those who prefer accessing the park by air, private charter flights can be arranged for you at Kayonza airstrip from where transfer to the park can be made.