Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in South Western Uganda has so much for everyone and you will truly be spoilt for choice wondering where to begin from when it comes to amazing tour adventures.Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BNIP) is in the Kanungu district of south western Uganda. It is around 600km from the capital, Kampala.
Bwindi means muddy, swampy place full of darkness – or ‘impenetrable’. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a tropical rainforest largely contained within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). It is located in south western Uganda, within the triangle of mountains where Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR) converge. It is about 25km north of the Virunga volcanoes and on the edge of the western Rift valley.
In 1991 the Ugandan part of the forest became a national park, ‘Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’ protecting 127 square metres of rainforest, home to around 340 endangered mountain gorillas – about half of the world’s mountain gorillas remaining in the wild.
Bwindi is also famous for “Albertine rift Endemic”, a group of Birds specific to the Western Rift valley. Bwindi Inpenetrable National Park (BINP) is found in south Western Uganda, about 600KM from Kampala (Uganda’s Capital).
The region has one of the richest ecosystems in Africa with more than 160 species of trees, over 100 species of ferns, and over 200 butterfly species. Bwindi is also famous for the “Albertine rift Endemic”, a group of Birds specific to the Western Rift valley. Over 346 species of birds have been recorded in the region. Amongst the many species of mammals are a number of other primate species including red tailed guenon, blue guenon, L’Hoest’s guenon, black & white colobus, ververt and baboon, as well as nocturnal prosimians. The chimp population is estimated at 300-400. Bwindi is the only place in the world in which mountain gorillas and chimpanzees still co-exist. Other animals found in the region include elephants, duiker, bushpig, giant forest hog and several small cat species.
Quick Facts About Bwindi
Did you know that Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a premier destination for gorilla trekking in the world and is the magnet that brings many primate and nature lovers to Uganda. The park has half of the living mountain gorilla population that it shares with Mgahinga national park but there is plenty of other adventure activities to engage in during a gorilla safari through the vast lush thick hilly forested landscape. This is truly a nature lovers paradise with abundance of tree species, flora and fauna, birds, butterflies, reptiles and many other primates that is spotted during the trek.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was first gazetted as a forest Reserve in 1942. Later it was upgraded to the Bwindi Impenetrable National park in the year 1992. Today Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most popular of all national parks in Uganda. It has been recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in East Africa. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and is situated along the Democratic Republic of Congo border next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the western Rift Valley.
- Bwindi National Park comprises 331 Sq Kms of jungle forests and contains both montane and lowland forest. It has series of hills ranging from 1000-2000 meters.
- The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is most famous destination for gorilla trekking safaris in Africa.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is best known for its thriving mountain gorilla population. Almost half of the remaining gorilla population resides here and this forest has become a conservation value site for the great mountain gorillas in Africa.
Where is Bwindi?
It is situated in south western Uganda on the edge of the Western Rift Valley with an area of 331 sq. km. Bakiga and Bafumbira people neighboring the park constitute the most dense settlements in Uganda. Few Batwa pygmies are also found. Tourists here find classic green vegetation scenery, lush rain forest, landscape, mountain gorillas, rich culture and a bonus of comfortable accommodation facilities both within and outside the park.
Things to See in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Flora & Fauna Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Apart from the the mountain gorillas, Bwindi National Park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black-and-white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail, is the most prominent.
Bwindi is also a bird watchers’ haven; over 360 bird species have been recorded. It contains 90% of the Albertine Rift Valley endemics that are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa. There are also over 200 species of butterflies recorded in the park.
Mountain Gorillas
The Park is home to approximately 340 mountain gorillas and inhabits 4 different gorilla groups for trekking such as Nkuringo group with 19 gorillas and 2 silverbacks, Rushegura with 10 gorillas and 1 silverback, Mubare with 16 gorillas and 1 silverback and Habinyanja with 23 gorillas and 2 silver backs. Other animal species including the Colubus monkey, chimpanzee, elephant, antelope species: bushbuck and forest duiker, buffalo, golden cat, civet, bush pig, giant forest hog, black-fronted duiker, clawless otter, genet and many species of bats and rodents. There are over 350 species of birds. Visitors can observe Yellow Eyed Black Flycatcher, Black Bee Eater, Kivu Ground Trush, Grauers Wabler, Bar Tailed Trogon, Brown Necked Parrot, Black Billed Turaco, White Bellied Robin Chat, Frazer’s Eagle Owl and 200 species of butterflies and over 324 tree species, 14 of which are nowhere else found in Uganda.
Apart from mountain gorillas, Bwindi forest is a home to some wonderful bird species, butterflies, reptiles and other primates that entertain tourists during the search of mountain gorillas. As the most tourist popular tourist attraction in Uganda see what every tourist to Bwindi enjoy all through.
Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi’s major adventure activity is mountain gorilla tracking. The gorilla trekking activity attracts the majority of visitors to the park. Bwindi is home to 15 habituated groups of Mountain Gorillas. In the 1990s, there were only namely the Mubare group of 16 gorillas and the Habiyanja group 23 gorillas. Both groups are tracked daily by not more than 6 visitors who are escorted by National Park rangers and guides.
A guided nature walk follows the Munyaga River trail that will help you to discover the forest interior. Primates including the L’horst’s monkey may be seen. The trail leads you to 3 delightful crystal clear water falls that typify ones impression of a tropical rain forest. On clear days the Western part of Congo, Congo’s Parc National Des Virungas, the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountains are visible.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park can be visited any time, though conditions are more challenging during the rainy season.
Gorilla Trekking
Normally visitors to Bwindi forest take 2-3 days and explore the magical land of gorillas in Africa-Bwindi national park on a life changing wildlife encounter gorilla trekking an activity where tourists explore the jungle to see the largest giant forest primates. The one hour time duration with the mountain gorillas makes visitors forget all the hassles, hikes and treks and instead cherish the terrific moment with the beautiful primates.
Hiking and guided walks:
Four beautiful hiking trails are available in the park:
- Munyaga river trail is a good way to see, in a short time, birds and primates leading to the popular waterfall with many tree and epiphytic ferns, orchids and butterflies.
- Rushura trail leads along the border of the Congo’s Virunga Park giving wonderful views on the western rift valley floor.
- Muzabajiro loop trail offers breathtaking views of Bwindi forest, Virungas NP and western rift valley passing through hundreds of prehistoric tree ferns.
- River Ivi trail is the longest trail of the park, taking a full day, and highly recommended to bird watchers.
Additional to these trails it is possible to go to the Buhoma village visiting a local bee keeping venture, Batwa traditional dancing group, a primary
school, observe banana beer brewing, a medicinal healer, a Butterfly pool and end at a handicraft site.
Batwa Culture Trail
Known as forest people and Mountain gorilla friends, the Batwa tail in Bwindi forest is another thing tourists want to experience after wondering how a human being can live and depend on the forest in every life aspect. It’s something you will get excited about after your gorilla trekking safari adventure or before depending on your interest and gorilla safari arrangement. Be part of the batwa cultural trail a nature walk activity in Bwindi national park to discover the history and culture of the Batwa people of Uganda. During this tour adventure, tourists are free to join any activity but usually the hunting, local herb gathering, , music and dance are some of the activities I would highly recommend.
Bird Watching
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a great bird watching destination in Uganda despite it being famous for Uganda gorilla tracking safaris. Common bird species found in the park include Apalis,Montane Oriole, and Shorttailed Warbler,Kivu Ground-Thrush,Chapin’s Flycatcher and African Green Broadbill, Western Green Tinker bird,African Wood Owl,Archer’s Robin-Chat,Red-throated Alethe,Fine-banded Woodpecker etc. However, also bird watching tourists find Bwindi national park paradise and a home of their favorite bird species.
Other tourist activities to enjoy in Bwindi forest is the community walk to homesteads and also taste the locally made coffee in Buhoma sector of the park. Also there are many community projects that aim at lifting a local individual and other community members like rid a bicycle for a woman and the Bwindi hospital retreat, and schools that you can support through simple donations hence making your trip just what you wanted. Shopping can also be done at the gorilla park though its by choice but slovenlier shops are always open and ready to offer you Gorilla carvings that will remind you of your visit to Uganda.
Gorilla Permits
One must have a Uganda gorilla permit to see gorillas a thing that every tourist to Bwindi forest carry along as agate pass to the eyes of the silver back gorilla and its family members.
Getting There
The distance from Kampala to Bwindi is 550 km with some 400 km on bitumen surface via Kabale. The Kampala via Rukungiri route is a slightly shorter distance however either route will necessitate 9-10 hours on the road to reach your accommodation in Buhoma. To travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park it is advisable to travel using 4×4 wheel drive vehicles.
Where to Stay:
There are several places where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These include up-market tented camps, budget lodges and community-run budget rooms and camping are available within the different sectors of the park.