Bwindi Forests National Park
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Craving for a real jungle experience and the chance to discover our closeness with Great Apes that live in these jungles? Then a trip to the incredible Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is worthwhile.
Size and Location of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
For a total area of about 127 square miles, one would day Bwindi is a small Protected Area but it offers experiences that are second to none. It is set in the extreme south-west of Uganda, approximately 341 miles and 8-9 hours’ drive. This beautiful and misty Protected Area sit at the edge of the Great Rift Valley, thus making it a home to several Albertine Rift endemic birds among other jaw-dropping things you will unearth during your visit.
History of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park came into existence in 1991, then in 1994 was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owing to its outstanding ecological significance.
Before becoming the 127-square mile National Park that it is today, two separate blocks were founded as “Crown Forest Reserves” in 1932, whereby the southern block was referred as “Kasatora Crown Forest Reserve” hence placing the incredible “Kayonza Crown Forest Reserve” in the Northern block.
These Forest Reserves had a combined area of 79 square miles and 1964 they officially became an “Animal Sanctuary” to save the mountain gorillas that were at the time facing extinction resulting from habitat encroachment, poaching and diseases. The current area of 127 square miles was attained in1966 after successfully combining the two forest reserves as well as surrounding Forests.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park attractions
Renowned for being biodiversity hot spot, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to;
Unique plant species
This treasure trove has about 400 species of plants, 220 of which are tree species that surprisingly make up 50% of typical Ugandan trees.
Animals
Of the 10 National Parks in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has the highest number of mammal species, totaling to 120 that encompass 10 species of primates. Mountain gorillas are the stars of the show but also expect to see black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, olive baboons, L’Hoests monkeys, vervet monkeys, pottos, red-tailed monkeys, to mention but a few. Other Bwindi wildlife species are bushbucks, giant forest hogs, the yellow-backed and black-fronted duikers, side-stripped jackals, bushbucks, forest elephants, sitatunga, African golden cats, clawless otters, African civets, to mention but a few.
Birds
With birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can never go wrong because there are over 350 species that include 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Common species are the Collared Apalis, white-tailed blue flycatchers, African Emerald Cuckoo, Kivu ground thrush handsome francolin, Dusky Crimsonwing, Rwenzori batis, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Purple-breasted sunbirds, the Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, strange weavers, the stunning Archer’s Robin chat, to mention but a few.
Culture of the aboriginal people
Make the visit to the aboriginal people part of your Bwindi Park tours, with visit to the Batwa and Bakiga Communities guaranteed of blowing your mind.
Stunning landscapes and sceneries
The stunning landscapes and sceneries of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are marked by jaw-dropping waterfalls, wetland/swamps such as Mubwindi-one of the Park’s excellent birding spots, rolling hills and many others.
Fun things to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla treks and the Habituation Tours
What better way to meet face to face with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat than booking gorilla treks and habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These tours start from any of the four trailheads-Buhoma, Nkuringo Ruhija or Rushaga, and offer chances of seeing any of the 21 habituated groups and this means only 168 permits are at visitors’ disposal each day. For the price of $700, $600 and Shs. 250,000 per person, gorilla permits can be booked by foreign non-residents, foreign residents and East African residents respectively.
Guided forest walks
Guided forest walks are the perfect way to get up-close and personal with the African jungle and these can be undertaken throughout the year. During this activity, visitors are provided the opportunity to see the untouched jungle at its best with views of majestic waterfalls, numerous tree species and several colorful bird species. Some of the most sought-after trails are Bamboo Trail, Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail, Habinyanja Trail, Ivy River Trail, Kashasha River Trail, Munyanga Waterfall Trail, Mubwindi Swamp Trail, Rusizi River Trail, Muzabajiro Loop and Rushura Hill Trail.
Birding
Both birding novices and seasoned birders will never get enough of Bwindi’s 350 bird species but always look-out for the strange weavers, African Emerald Cuckoo, Kivu ground thrush, white-tailed blue flycatchers, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Rwenzori Turaco, Archer’s Robin chat, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, Collared Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing and others.
Mountain biking Tours
There is something about Bwindi’s terrains that sparks the interest of mountain bikers, even those that don’t particularly identify as professional riders. For these adventures, they are organized by Ride 4 a Woman (local Women Non-Governmental Organization) as a way of empowering local women through income-earning skills. Numerous birds and stunning sceneries are relished during the biking tours.
Community tours
Visitors yearning for an extraordinary insight into the riveting heritage of the Bakiga or Batwa people, community tours takes then across the surrounding villages. There are chances of visiting traditional healers, touring blacksmiths, undertake basket weaving, have a chance of tasting of local dishes and finally enjoying traditional dances as well as songs.
Perfect time to explore the beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The warmer, drier months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December are the perfect time to explore. During these months, weather is considerably friendly with reduced humidity as well as temperatures averaging at 25 Celsius degrees. Rainfall is lower thus trails drier for walks.
Sleeping Options within or around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The sleeping options in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are booked based on the sector you are planning to visit. For Buhoma visitors, choose from Bwindi View Bandas, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Kigezi Cottages, CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp, Bwindi Guesthouse, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Silverback Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, Gorillas Friends Lodge and Engagi Lodge.
If your trip is based within the eastern sector of Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija, stay at Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Resort, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort and Campsite, Gift of Nature Lodge, to mention but a few.
The lodging options for southern sectors are Gorilla Heights Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gorilla Closeup Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Lake Muhele Safari Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Hills Eco-Lodge Bwindi, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, to mention but a few.
Getting to the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
There are two ways of getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, 341 miles from Kampala City in south-western Uganda. For visitors who wish to relish the most breathtaking views while connecting to the Park can use road transport with 8-9 hours on the road.
For travellers that don’t have patience on the road can opt for flight to Kisoro and Kihihi Airstrips from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip.