About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Animals and Birds
Besides mountain gorillas, which other animals live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Animals accounts for over 120 species of mammals, 350 bird species, 27 frog species and 220 species of colorful butterflies.
The primates in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
11 different primate species peacefully stay in Bwindi NP and they include the red-tailed monkeys, mountain gorillas (over 459 of them live here), blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, Eastern chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, and others.
The various primates share the same habitat with other mammals including spotted hyenas, forest elephants, African wild dogs, yellow backed duikers, serval cats, forest buffaloes, sitatungas, black-fronted duikers, bush pigs, clawless otters, giant forest hogs, civets, side-striped jackals, antelope families and more.
Mountain gorillas
Bwindi Impenetrable NP is an important home to over 459 mountain gorillas. This park is a preferred gorilla trekking destination and holds already habituated gorilla groups –these are available for gorilla tourism.
The massive mountain gorillas survive within the 4 sectors of Bwindi including Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.
Mountain gorillas are large in size and these apes weigh from 250kg. When standing, they can reach the height of 4 to 5 feet.
How many gorilla groups to trek in Bwindi
A total of about 21 habituated gorilla groups live in the various sectors of Bwindi. They are open to gorilla trekking and include among others Oruzogo, Habinyanja, Kyaguriro, Nkuringo, Rushegura, Bitukura, Kahungye, Bikingi, Nshongi, Mukiza,
Mucunguzi, Mishaya, Bushaho, Busingye, Christmas, Mishaya, Posho, Tindatine, Rwigi, Kutu, Muyambi and Bunyindo.
Gorilla permit cost
To be allowed to go and enjoy incredible moment in the presence of gorillas in the wild, a trekker must have a valid gorilla permit. The current gorilla permits are issued at the cost of USD 800 per person and they can be secured via a reliable tour operator in Uganda.
Bird species
Bwindi N/Park is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site and features 350 bird species. They include many Albertine rift endemic species, 25 restricted range species and more. On birding excursion, the diverse species of birds to identify include the Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori batis, Lagden’s bush shrikes,
Shelley’s crimson wing, yellow-streaked greenbul, African olive pigeon, black billed turacos, African green broadbills, Jame’s anti peckers, African harrier hawks, Mountain-masked apalis, Black bee-eaters, Doherty’s bush shrikes, Rwenzori nightjars,
Neumann’s warblers, African emerald cuckoos, Purple breasted sunbird, red faced woodland warblers, giant kingfishers, crowned hornbills, common bulbul, white tailed blue flycatchers, and others.
Reptile species
Bwindi protects up to 14 snake species and 9 of them are endemic to this protected area. These share the same habitat with 14 lizards, 6 various chameleon species and more.
Amphibians
Over 27 amphibian species range within this park accounting for 11 endemic species to the Albertine rift valley region, 6 species that are of significant Global Conservation interest that is the Kivu reed frogs, Ahl’s reed frogs, plus African leaf folding frogs. These unique species can be spotted at ease while on a guided forest walks.
When to travel to see Bwindi Impenetrable National Park animals
Bwindi is an all year-round destination but the dry season is the best time for visitors interested in trekking gorillas. This park experiences the dry season from June to September and December till February –the perfect months of the year when there is scarcity of rainfall. They are the best months to trek through the rainforest with ease in search of gorillas.
Top things to do in Bwindi
The key experiences that Bwindi offers include gorilla trekking, forest walks, mountain gorilla habituation experience, birding tours, and Batwa cultural experience in the nearby Batwa community.
How to get to the park
You can reach Bwindi NP for a holiday by road or air. Taking ground travel, expect to take between 8 and 9 hours’ drive beginning from Kampala via Mbarara route. En-route, you can have a stopover at the Equator crossing, lunch at your preferred hotel in Mbarara or at Igongo cultural centre. By air, take the shortest time of about 2 hours on a flight from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip then reach the park by 4×4 drive vehicle.
Where to stay on Uganda tour in Bwindi
At Bwindi, there are both budget, midrange and luxury accommodation options distributed inside and outside the park. Top places to retire for the night here include Gorilla Havens Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Four Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Engagi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge.
FAQs – About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
What animals live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Here is the list of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park animals; African elephants, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, mountain gorillas, yellow-backed duikers, golden cats, buffaloes, side-striped jackals, eastern chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, colobus monkeys and more.
What is Bwindi Impenetrable famous for?
Thrilling gorilla safaris make Bwindi Impenetrable NP most famous. The 331sq.km park offers excellent gorilla trekking experiences across its 4 sectors –Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
Are there elephants in Bwindi?
Bwindi N/Park is one of the best places in Uganda where you can find the forest elephants. These share the same habitat with other numerous mammals, reptiles, bird species, and amphibians.
How many gorillas are there in Bwindi National Park?
Bwindi is an important home to over 459 mountain gorillas. These live peacefully in the same habitat together with other 10 primate species; l’hoest monkeys, chimps, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and more.
What is unique about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
In the extreme Southwestern Uganda lies a spectacular Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park. This compact rainforest park is an important home to diverse tree species, primates (including mountain gorillas, olive baboons, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, and colobus monkeys), birds, reptiles, and amphibians, etc.
Does Uganda have a lot of wildlife?
Uganda is a premier wildlife safari destination. It boasts of its biodiverse faunal and floral species. These comprise of primates –mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, mangabeys, colobus monkeys, etc; big five game –lions, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes and elephants; plus 1080 bird species, etc.