Bwindi impenetrable National park
Bwindi impenetrable National park is one of the premium national parks not only in Uganda but in the entire world. It’s a home to more than half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world, with the others hosted in neighboring DR Congo and Rwanda. The park is mostly covered by the rain forests.
It covers around 321 square kilometers with an altitude of 1,160 meters to 2,607 meters above sea level. Bwindi was established in 1991 to protect and conserve the rare mountain gorillas. In 1994 the park was listed as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. The Mubare gorilla family was the first group to be habituated in Uganda for the tourist activity. They were launched for tourists in April 1993. Till now more gorilla families have been habituated in Bwindi in all four sectors now. The four sectors where gorilla tracking is done are the Buhoma, Ruhinja, Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors.
Uganda is the only country among the three countries that host the mountain Gorillas where Gorilla habituation is done. This is also called the “Gorilla research program,” in which a few guests (a maximum of 4 people) are allowed to spend 4 hours with the gorilla in the jungle. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests.
The forest dates back over 25,000 years, hosting over 400 plant species. The forest is also home to over 400 mountain gorillas.
Bwindi is among the few protected areas in the world where mountain gorillas share the same forest with chimpanzees. There are also other primate species. The park hosts over 120 mammal species like forest Elephants, Duikers, Antelopes, warthogs and many others. There are over 350 bird species found at the park hosted in this forest. The park also hosts around 23 Albertine Rift endemics, which are easily seen.
Location of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Forest National Park lies in the Southwestern part of Uganda On the edge of the Great Rift Valley. It’s located at the rim of the great Albertine Western Rift valley along the Kigezi Highland commonly known as the “Switzerland of Africa.” Bwindi can be reached from Queen Elizabeth national park through the Ishasha sector, taking only 2-3 hours to drive.
If the guest is in Kampala city, it takes 7-9 hours to drive through the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route. The long drive is worth it, as it is scenic with much to enjoy. During the briefing from Entebbe or Kampala, you may get scared but the beauty enroute will make you forget the time you took.
Another alternative for guests who may not wish to spend longer times on the road is to opt for a domestic flight. There are domestic flights to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi.
Activities to do in Bwindi forest National Park
Gorilla Tracking
Mountain Gorilla tracking is one of the world’s unique wildlife experiences that can only be achieved in 3 countries: Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda Gorilla tracking is done in Bwindi impenetrable National park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park.
The Gorilla tracking in Bwindi is done in four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhinja, Nkuringo and Rushaga. There are around 18 gorilla families that are fully habituated and used for tourism activities. Among them only one is used for Gorilla habituation or research purposes and it’s the only one where habituation is done in the entire world.
The guest has to book the Gorilla permit in advance at the fee of 700 USD. You will pay directly to the Uganda wildlife Authority or through a local tour operator of Uganda.
Just 8 guests are allowed to see the gorillas for an hour a day, and participants must be 15 years of age or older. And UWA guides will accompany them when they are with the Gorillas.
Depending on how far the group has traveled since it was observed nesting the previous night, monitoring the gorillas will last from a couple of hours to a whole day.
Birding
The diverse habitats of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park span from Uganda’s oldest rainforest to the lowland swamps. This has been attributed to the high number of bird species at the park. The park hosts over 350 recorded bird species, including the 23 endemics that cover 90% of the Albertine Rift endemics.
Birding takes place along the main trails of Buhoma Waterfall Trail and in Ruhija trail. Birding is also done along the bamboo area and Mubwindi Swamp trail. Some of the recorded bird species include the Short-tailed Warbler, Blue-headed Sunbird, African Emerald Cuckoo, Common Bulbul, African Blue Flycatcher, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Red-headed Bluebill, Green Broadbill, and many others.
Nature walks
For those who want to explore the “impenetrable forest,” there are six main nature trails in Buhoma, including waterfall hikes, forest walks, primate encounters, mountain views and spectacular birdlife.
The Muyanga Waterfall Walk leaves Buhoma along the trail of the Ivi-Nkuringo River and culminates in the sensational sight of 33 meters of falling falls.
The Rushura Hill Walk crosses one forest owned by two nations. Lakes Edward and George and the Rwenzori Mountains can be seen on a clear day, as well as the conical peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Muzubijiro Loop is a walk of 6 km around a hill where you can meet primates and birds and enjoy a view of the Virungas.
The Ivi River Walk is 14km long and takes about seven hours to complete. The trail passes through a location known as Mukempunu where wild pigs can sometimes be found, meaning “a place of pigs.”
Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail
As you climb the hills towards Nkuringo, the Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail takes three to four hours and passes right through the park, linking the two villages and offering spectacular views of the misty hillsides. You and your driver, who will meet you on the other side, should leave our baggage. As part of the Ivi River Walk, this trail can also be completed.
Habinyanja (Railegh) Trail.
It takes 4-6 hours to reach the Habinyanja (Railegh) Trail. After crossing the Munyaga River, the climb of the Habigorogoro and Riyovi Ridge overlooking the Buhoma River is fairly steep. The legendary “African Corner,” named after a rock piece depicting a map of Africa, is located along this trail. After the steep climb, keen hikers will enjoy the mighty Habinyanja swamp on a more comfortable, gentle slope. The Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Black Duck and Black Bee Eaters, among others, should look out for birders on this trail.
Cultural tours
Here you have a 3-hour cultural walk through the village-you learn the ways and culture of the people on the edge of the Bwindi Forest living in the Buhoma district. A guide who is polite and knowledgeable about local culture and traditions is at The Village Walk.
You can see how people make local crafts, such as baskets with the most intricate designs, beer made from bananas, and a distillery that produces the local Gin from bananas; you can also visit a traditional healer and hear about what is gathered in the ancient forest and how it is taken and applied to ailments.
