BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

It is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu District on the rim of the Rift Valley. It is situated along the democratic republic of Congo border next to the Virunga national park and on the edge of Albertine rift.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is composed of 321 square Kilometers of both montane and lowland forest and it is accessible only on foot. It was established in 1991 with an area size of 331km².

The park is known for its exceptional biodiversity with more than 160 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns. There as many bird species, butterflies as well as many endangered species including the mountain gorilla.

Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

This is the number one top activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park. Gorilla trekking has attracted many travelers from the world over and it is without any doubt that almost every traveler who has had a safari to Uganda has had a gorilla trek.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an activity that will have you hiking through the impenetrable forest in search of the endangered mountain gorilla with park rangers, guides and trackers. Bwindi impenetrable national park rangers has 19 habituated gorilla families that travelers can track in 4 different sector in the northern park thus;

a). Buhoma gorilla sector in the northern part of the park has 4 habituated gorilla families.

b) Ruhija gorilla sector in the east of the park has 4 habituated gorilla families.
c) Nkuringo gorilla sector in the south has 3 gorilla families
d) Rushaga gorilla sector in the south as well has 8 habituated gorilla families. Gorilla permits are always on high demand and so prior booking of at least 3 months in advance is very necessary to secure yours.

Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Gorilla habituation is the number 2 of the top 8 activities in Bwindi Impenetrable national Game Park;

Gorilla habituation takes place in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi.

Gorilla habituation will have travelers walking through the impenetrable forest with researchers collecting data and learning about the mountain gorilla and gorilla family in Particular.

Visitors normally spend 4 hours with the gorillas once encountered and they get to learn of their behaviors and interact with them while taking as many photos as may wish amking it a must to keep one’s camera on standby in Rushaga. Therefore, only 8 permits per day are available for gorilla habituation.

Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

It is also one of the activities in Bwindi Impenetrable national Park. This Impenetrable forest is a birder’s haven that birders should miss. There are about 350 bird species with 23 bird species being endemic to the Albertine rift and 14 being recorded nowhere else in the country. The African green broad bill which is only found in the Ruhija sector and Congo, short tailed warbler, blue sun bird, Rwenzori nightjar among others.

Forest walks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

There are guided nature walks through carefully developed trails in the park that visitors can take part in as they explore and learn of the forest with help of a guide. Munyaga river trail takes visitors to the beautiful water falls in the park.

The abundant and amazing flora and fauna in the park will make the trek more amazing. This trek can start from Rushaga gate or Buhoma gate depending on where a visitor is staying which takes about 3-4 hours.

Buhoma community walks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

This is normally done by visitors who stay in Buhoma sector of Bwindi. The Buhoma community walks will have travelers along with help of guides as they walk through the village visiting a local school, Hospital, traditional healer and also get to see and take part in the traditional wine making process.

This walk supports the Buhoma community as they get revenue from it since they fully take part in it and organizing it.

Mountain biking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

It is best done from Buhoma sector as well as giving the biking experience which is provided for by the ride for a woman community group who offers the bikes on rent and organize the boat guided biking experience.

The guides will share with visitors’ knowledge of the area, culture and so much birdlife you come across.

Lake Mutanda Visit in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Lake Mutanda is located in the southern part of the park where visitors should go to relax and on wind from the gorilla trekking experience. The place is very beautiful, refreshing with many Islands that can be explored with help of a guide.

Animals in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national Park

The park is a home to about 120 mammal species that are rarely seen as they hide in thickets of dense forest and they include; Elephants, duikers, Buffaloes, Golden cats, side striped jackal, Civet, Giant Forest hogs, Bush Pigs, Clawless among others.

Bwindi impenetrable forest is a home also to 11 primate species which include the famous mountain gorillas, black and white colobus, monkeys, Lhotse’s monkeys, red tailed monkey, blue monkeys, De braze monkeys, Potto, Baboons, Chimpanzee, Demidoff’s Galago and Spectacled galago.

Birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable forest national Park is a home to about 350 species of birds. It is one of the best place for birding in Uganda owing to its unique species of birds that include Chapin’s flycatcher, Graver’s broadbill, Shelley’s crimson wing, white bellied robin chat, Fraser’s eagle, western bronze napped pigeon, black billed turaco, handsome francolin, mountain masked and collared apalis, Purple breasted, blue headed and regal sun birds among others.

The best spot for birding is Mubwindi swamp in Ruhija sector of the park, Buhoma area especially on the waterfall trail.

Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Buhoma area we have Buhoma lodge, Buhoma Haven lodge, Ride 4 A woman, Bwindi lodge, sanctuary gorilla forest lodge.
Rushaga area we have Rushaga gorilla camp Gorilla Valley lodge, chameleon hill, Lake Mulehe safari lodge
Rushaga area we have Bakiga lodge, Agandi lodge, Broad bill forest camp.
Nkuringa area we have Gorilla heights, cloud mountain gorilla lodge, Nkurinago Safari lodge.