Explore Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Visit Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park in Uganda for Gorilla trekking safaris either on self drive Basis or guided safari expeditions with a professional safari guide.

A Guide to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park | All you need to know

The deep green magnificent creation is situated in south-western part Uganda, in Kisoro district, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and 512 kilometers from Kampala, a 9-10-hour drive. It has a size of 321 km2, at a latitude of 1160m-2607m above sea level. Its Africa’s primordial and biologically diverse rain forests.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park harbors some of the world’s peculiar wildlife. This includes 400 plant species, 459 mountain gorillas, almost half of the world’s remaining population.

It further has 120 species of mammals such as chimpanzees, baboons, elephants, and forest antelopes.

Over 350 bird species featuring 23 Albertine Rift endemics e.g. African green broad will and Shelley’ crimsonwing. 200 plus butterfly species accompanied with a plethora of reptiles and amphibians thus adding to the park’s honorable biodiversity.

Interesting, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is surrounded by people of different cultures. These include the Batwa and Bakiga people, who make a tourist have an unforgettable time during their visit to the park.

This is done by through the entertainment such as music and making fire using sticks.

There are places of interest in the park namely: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, Rushaga, sectors. Not to miss activities at Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park include community tourism, gorilla tourism, gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, hiking and trekking, bird watching and Batwa cultural experience.

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Mountain Gorillas

These are endangered species with only around 1065 remaining in the whole world. Mountain gorillas are descendants of ancestral monkeys and apes found in Africa and Arabia during the start of the Oligocene epoch (24-34 million years ago).

They share over 98% of their DNA with humans thus displaying extraordinary characteristics. They are headed by a silver back, a mature male who selects places for the group to eat and sleep. These mighty beings look scary but are actually gentle and peaceful with high level intelligence.

They feed on fruits, leaves, shoots and stems thus enhancing their diet. Male gorillas grow larger and heavier up to a height of 6 feet and weigh 350-500 pounds, having strong and muscular arms, with a life span of 40-50 years.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are another thrilling group one can view 0during their visit to Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park. They weigh between 40- 60kgs with height of 1.6 meters for males whereas the females weigh from 32-47kgs with a height of 1.3 meters. The alpha male chimpanzee is responsible for protection of the female and the young ones from predators and also lead them to areas to feed from during the course of the day.

The females have gestation period of about 8 months, almost like for humans and can give birth to 4-6 babies. They can generally live up to 40years in the wild and 50 years while in reserve.

Olive baboons

The olive baboons add amusement to one’s visit to the park. Their organization, in social groups is amazing, exhibiting a plethora of behaviors. Adult males weigh between 22-37kgs while the females have a small weight of 12-18kgs, and have a gestation period of approximately 180 days. They have a life span of about 25-30years

Elephants

one on the largest mammals are also present in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park. These present in gorilla highlands are of two species namely the forest elephant and savannah elephant. The difference is in the number of nails on feet, shape ears and tusks. Their overall diet is 62% of trees, 12% bushes and 25% of herbs and grasses.

Forest antelopes

Forest antelopes in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park are of 29 species. They are of differentiated by characteristic and appearance that changes either by color, far, patches size and shape. These include the Uganda Kob, Water buck, Grant’s gazelle, Elands and the Greater kudu among others.

Birds

in this park are over 346 species and contains 90% of all the Albertine rift endemics. Bird watches can spot 100 species in a day in the Ruhija and Buhoma sectors that are highly recommended for good bird views. These species include Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Archer’s Robin-chat, Dwarf Honey guide among others.

Exciting Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

1. Gorilla Habituation

Gorilla habituation in the Rushaga sector of the famous Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Its where the gorillas are introduced to human presence, making them comfortable with researchers and eventually tourists. It takes 4 hours with a gorilla family, observing and learning about their social dynamics while also supporting conservation efforts

2. Gorilla trekking

this is where tourists go and encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This activity gives tourists an opportunity to see. them feed and locomote to different places. The activity is limited and booked well in advance in the peak season which is in the dry season namely June- August and December – February

3. Bamboo Walk

Bamboo walk is another adventurous experience that can interest one during their Bwindi visit. The route has diverse vegetation and stunning views, including the peak Rwamunyoyi hill at 2607 meters. It’s a 7-hour trial through vegetation zones including bamboo forest and afro montane areas, providing an opportunity to spot a number of bird species and other wildlife found in Ruhija.

4. Birding

Birding to view over 360 recorded bird species. Morning hours are the best for bird watching in areas such as Mubwindi swamp trail, Bamboo zone and Ruhija sector.

5. Nature Walks

Nature walks are best done in the dry season and preferably guided ones in nature walk trails, allowing tourists explore a diverse ecosystem and wildlife such as Munyaga waterfall trail, Ivi River trail, Habinyanja trail, Rushura Hill walk, Buhoma- Nkuringo trail, Muzabajiro loop trail, Bamboo trail and the Bamboo cultural trail.

6. Batwa Cultural Experience

these were the original people of the forest. The experience involves music performance, a visitation by the goddess, a hunting and gathering demonstration and an opportunity to the see how they lived. They speak the same languages of Hutu and Tutsi groups of Rwanda.

Accommodation options around Bwindi

There are a variety of places one can reside in during their visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park such as Bwindi Forest farm, Bwindi community guest house, Gorilla hills eco-lodge, Gorilla close up lodge, Kiho Safari Lodge among others. They have a magnificent scenery and a thrilling cool environment that is breath-taking, for a peaceful and memorable stay in the park.

Conclusively, this home of adventure in the south west of Uganda can be an interesting place for one to visit. How thrilled can one be just to have a glimpse at other non-human creatures with same color of blood, and also the setting of the sun. Watching them move, meet, feed or even mate and produce, it’s such an un forgettable experience one can have. Visiting the only place the has Olive baboons, and over 360 bird species, the mountain gorillas that are semi human. Having almost the same characteristics as human. This can be an amazing experience that one can never forget in the life time hence confirming the phrase, “Nowhere be like Africa.”

Best Time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable forest national Park

The best times for visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in June- August and December -February, the dry season providing the best climate thus making the walking trails less slippery. This gives the visitors a chance to appreciate the beauty of green nature has to offer, hence creating honorable times