All the Flora and Fauna in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
What is the biodiversity of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park like? Well, this blog post gives you a lifetime opportunity to discover all the flora and fauna in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park including species that you can’t find anywhere else.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, both in terms of flora and fauna.
Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site largely because of its ecological significance. The park protects over 1000 flowering plant species, 104 fern species and 220 tree species and diversity of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, etc.
A comprehensive guide to Flora and Fauna in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park;
Flora in Bwindi
- Montane Forests: Bwindi is primarily covered by montane and lowland rainforests, characterized by a diverse array of tree species.
(a). Tree genera endemic to Bwindi’s Afromontane forest include Afriocrania (Cornaceae), Hagenia (Rosaceae), Ficalhoa, xymalos (Monimiaceae), and Balthasaria (Theaceae). The Northern section (Buhoma sector) features several of the Guinea-Congolian flora including the Brown Mahogany (Lovoa swynnertonii), brazzeia longipedicellata.
(b). Tree species in Bwindi & they don’t exist anywhere else in Uganda: Allanblackia kimbiliensis (Clusiaceae), Grewiamildbraedii (Tiliaceae), Brazzeialongipedicellata (Scytopetalaceae), Strombosiopsis tetrandra (Olacaceae), Maesobotrya floribunda (Euphorbiaceae), Xylopia staudtii (Annonaceae), and more.
(c). Trees that typify Afromontane forest: Entandrophragma excelsum (Meliaceae), Podocarpus latifolius (Podocarpaceae), Myrianthus holstii (Cecropiaceae), Agauria salicifolia (Ericaeae), Syzygium guineense (Myrtaceae), Prunus africana, Strombosia scheffleri (Olacaceae).
- Orchids and Ferns: The Park is home to over 104 species of ferns and around 220 species of orchids, adding to its botanical richness.
- Epiphytes: Epiphytic plants, including mosses, ferns, and lichens, thrive in the humid forest environment, clinging to the branches and trunks of trees.
- Medicinal plants: Prunus africana (African Cherry), Warburgia ugandensis (Green heart), Cirtopsis articulata, Myriathus holstii (Ejugu), Hagenia abyssinica (African redwood), Harungana madagascariensis (Dragon’s blood tree), Rytigynia sp, Uvaria chamae (African black pepper), Ocimum gratissimum (African basil), Albizia spp. (flat-crown), spathodea campanulata (African tulip tree), Aloe spp. (aloe), cryptocarya latifolia (broad-leaved yellowwood) and hoslundia opposita (Hoslundia).
Fauna in Bwindi
Mammals in Bwindi;
Mountain Gorillas: Bwindi is perhaps most famous for its population of the rare mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), with approximately over 459 world’s remaining population (1063) all residing here. Today, the park is popular for its unmatched gorilla trekking adventures.
Other Primates: Alongside mountain gorillas, Bwindi is home to several other primate species, including chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys, pottos, Spectacled and dermidoff’s galagos, etc.
Additional mammal species: Beyond primates, Bwindi harbors a variety of mammal species such as forest elephants, buffaloes, and several species of antelope like bushbucks and duikers.
Birds in Bwindi: The Park boasts an impressive avian diversity, with over 350 bird species recorded, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Notable species include the African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimsonwing, and the handsome francolin. Others include the Kivu ground-thrush, Rwenzori Nightjars, Rwenzori turacos, Red throated alethe, Mountain masked apalis, Archer’s robin-chat, short-tailed warblers, Rwenzori batis, strange weaver, purple breasted sunbird, blue-headed sunbird, stripe-breasted tit., yellow-eyed black flycatchers, etc.
Butterflies; Over 220 butterfly species live in Bwindi including the Cream-banded swallowtail (Papilio leucotaenia), Charaxes foumierae, Graphium gudenusi, Afriican giant swallowtail (Papilio antimachus).
Reptiles: Bwindi is also home to numerous including over 14 snakes species which comprise of 9 that are endemic to the Park, 14 lizard species and over 6 chameleon species.
Amphibians: Over 27 species of amphibians exist in Bwindi, 11 of which are Albertine rift endemic species. Toads (including Eastern flat backed toad, African red toad, & gutturad toads); frogs (the western rift leaf-folding frog & Ahl’s reed frog – endemic species; the Kivu reed frog, brown reed frog, mottle-side reed frog, common reed frog, Senegal running frog, highland reed frogs, smooth spiny reed frogs, white snouted reed frogs, cinnamon belled reed frogs, and others).
The biodiversity of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is not only of immense ecological importance but also a significant draw for ecotourism, providing visitors with unparalleled opportunities for wildlife viewing and experiencing the wonders of nature firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plants are in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest?
Over 50% of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park features a mixed forest. The plant/tree species in Bwindi include the East African yellow wood, Newtonia, Symphonia globulifera, Strombosia, and red stinkwood.
Some of the species that grow below the forest include xymalos, Neoboutonia, Myrianthus holstii, Monospora and more.
Which animals are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park features diversity of animals including bush pigs, black fronted duikers, side-striped jackals, golden cats, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, clawless otters, civets, primates like mountain gorillas, colobus monkeys and others.
What lives in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest?
A wide of globally threatened species survive within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. They include l’hoest monkeys, mountain gorillas, and chimpanzees; endemic birds such as grauer’s swamp warblers, African green broadbill, Chapin’s flycatchers, Shelley’s crimson wings, and turner’s eremomera.
Which is the most impenetrable forest in the world?
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is with no doubt an impenetrable rainforest, home to vast primeval forest. This rainforest protected area lies along the edge of the Albertine rift, at an elevation range of 1160 and 2607m.
How many gorillas are there in Bwindi?
In Bwindi National Park alone, there exist over 459 mountain gorillas out of total of 1063 individuals that remain on earth today. The park also holds the highest concentration of habituated gorilla families, and accounts for 22 groups.
Why is Bwindi called “Impenetrable?”
Bwindi is referred to as an “impenetrable” because of its extensive stands of lush bamboo forest which is interspersed amongst forest hardwoods. The park’s bamboo and thick ground cover feature vines, ferns and other plant growth that hinder direct access on foot.
Is Bwindi National Park a rainforest?
Bwindi is largely comprised of thick tropical rainforest and is an important habitat to the endangered mountain gorillas and other diverse faunal and floral species.
What Can I do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Check out the list of exciting things to do while on Uganda safaris in and around Bwindi;
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking
- Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience
- Birding
- Nature or Forest Walks
- Cycling
- Batwa cultural experience and more.