Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable national park is a famous as one of the last places where the endangered mountain gorillas can be seen in their natural habitat, the forest is a home to a diversity of many species with some of them being threated.

Bwindi impenetrable national park was established in 1991 partly to protect the endangered mountain gorillas which are only found in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bwindi impenetrable national park has more than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, around 600 and it is the only place on earth where mountain gorillas and chimpanzees live in the same ecosystem.

The vast Bwindi impenetrable national park is high altitude forest mountains known for its thick vegetation, thick mists, streams and dew, endangered mountain gorillas and colorful birds.

Location of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in Southwest of Uganda stretching along the rim of the Great Rift Valley a western branch of the East African Rift, the park shares a border with the DR.Congo.

The most part of the park is over 2,000 meters above the sea level.

Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable National Park is home to half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas with over 600 individuals living in the four sectors of the park that are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors.

• Buhoma sector in the northwestern part of the park has three habituated gorilla families – Rushegura, Mubare and Habinyanja.
• Rushaga has five habituated gorilla groups including Busingye, Bweza, Kahungye, Mishaya and Nshongi.
• Ruhija sector on the eastern side of the park. has three habituated gorilla families including Oruzoojo, Kyaguriro and Bitukura
• Nkuringo sector is found in the southern part of the park has three habituated gorilla families including Nkuringo, Bushaho and Chritmas.

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

In addition to mountain gorillas, Bwindi impenetrable national park hosts 120 mammal species, 220 butterfly species and 27 frog species. Some of the notable mammals in the park include elephants, yellow – backed duikers, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red – tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys.

Birdlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable national park is a haven for birders with over 350 bird species with 14 of these species not seen anywhere else in Uganda and 23 Albertine species  such as Neumann’s warbler and the blue-headed sun bird. Other bird species include chapins fly catcher, Handsome francolin, Rwenzori Batis, Tit Hylia, Strange weaver, Dusky Twinspot, Montane Oriole, Regal sunbird, African wood owl, Bar-tailed trogon, Western green tinker bird, Black bee-eater, Bwarf honeyguide, Grey guckoo-shrike, Kivu ground-thrush, Yellow-sreaked greenbul, Shelly’s greenbul, Red-throated alethe, collared apalis, handsome francolin, Strange weaver among others.

Activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is the most remarkable and highlight activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park, this spectacular activity provides visitors with the opportunity to have a face to face encounter with mountain gorillas. The activity starts very early in the morning with briefing at 08:00 am at the headquarters where trekkers are taken through the rules and regulation to follow while in the presence of gorillas.

After the briefing, trekkers are grouped into 8 people and each group visits one gorilla family, the trek through the forest takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas are located. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend 1 hour in the presence of the gorillas while watching them take care of their young ones, the silverback protecting the whole family and as they go on with their normal life. Visitors are allowed to take pictures as long as their flashlight is off.

Gorilla Habituation Experience

Gorilla Habituation experience and incredible gorilla activity offering visitors an opportunity to spend one hour in the presence of the gorillas, Gorilla habituation is a process where the wild gorillas are trained to get used to human presence and takes approximately 2 to 3 years for completion.

On this experience, trekkers accompany researchers, scientists, rangers and conservationists involved in standing the gorillas and their way of life, learn about the naming process among others.

Gorilla Habituation experience is only done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

Bird watching

Bwindi impenetrable National Park is home to more than 360 recorded bird species including Albertine endemic species, forest species and resident species that is why it is one of the birder’s paradise.

Bird watching in Bwindi impenetrable national park is done along the Bamboo zone, Buhoma waterfall trail and Mubwindi Swamp trail where you will spot a variety of birds including Neumann’s warbler and the blue-headed sun bird. Other bird species include chapins fly catcher, Handsome francolin, Rwenzori Batis, Tit Hylia, Strange weaver, Dusky Twinspot, Montane Oriole, Regal sunbird, African wood owl, Bar-tailed trogon, Western green tinker bird, Black bee-eater, Bwarf honeyguide, Grey guckoo-shrike among others.

Nature Walking

Nature walk is an adventurous activity offering visitors an opportunity to get close to nature and explore the Bwindi forest on foot with a well-trained park guide and an armed park ranger for protection purposes.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a number of nature walks such as the Muyangwa waterfall trail in Buhoma sector, Muzubijiro loop trail, Rushura Hill walk, Buhoma – Nkuringo Trail, Ivi river trail and Habinyanja trail where nature walks are done.

During the nature walks visitors get to enjoy watching chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, various bird species, tree species and take amazing pictures.

Batwa Cultural Tour

The Batwa cultural tour is a very interesting cultural activity providing visitors with an opportunity to interact with the Batwa people who used to reside in the forests of Bwindi and lived harmoniously with gorillas and other forest creatures.

During the visit, you will be able to learn about their lifestyle such as gathering honey, foo, learn how to prepare their local dishes, listen to their local stories and be entertained by local dances and drama among others.

Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National Park can be done at any time of the year as the mountain gorillas do not migrate or hibernate. However during the rainy season the trails used for tracking the gorillas become very muddy and slippery. So the best time of the year to head to Bwindi impenetrable national park for gorilla trekking is during the two dry seasons of December to early February and June to September.

How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

From Kampala – the capital of Uganda, there are two ways of reaching Bwindi impenetrable national park that is by air or road. The park can also be reached from Kigali City of Rwanda.

Travelling from Kampala to Bwindi

Travelers have to fly to Entebbe International Airport and then head to the park either by road or air.

By air: there are domestic flights from Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi airstrip to either Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips then connect to the park by road. The flight lasts for about 1 hour and 50 minutes.

By road – it is a journey of 463 kilometers from Kampala to Bwindi taking approximately 8 to 10 hours.

Travelling from Kigali, Rwanda

This is the faster option to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park, fly into Kigali City and then drive north to the park. There several routes to use, the fastest is to drive straight north to Kabale, a town in south Uganda and takes about 2 hours to the park. from Kabale it takes about one hour’s drive to reach the eastern tip of Bwindi.

Where to stay in Bwindi impenetrable national park

There are several accommodation establishments in Bwindi impenetrable national park catering for budget, midrange and luxury travelers found in the 4 sectors of the park that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.

These accommodations include Buhoma lodge, Buhoma haven lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Sanctuary gorilla lodge, Rushaga gorilla lodge, Rushaga Haven lodge among others.