Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Stretching across a series of steep ridges and valley, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a home of varied unique species, most of which are found nowhere else on earth or very scarce.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the far South-western border of Uganda and Congo. This splendid Uganda safari park is set on the edge of the rift valley with elevation range of 1160m and 2607m, featuring mist-covered hillsides where the country’s oldest and biodiverse rain-forest (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) dating to over 25000 years is found.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was officially established as one of Uganda safari parks in 1991 – the primary reason behind its creation was to shelter the endangered mountain gorillas. Over 331sq.kms of land area is covered by Bwindi in South-western Uganda – spanning in the districts of Kanungu, Kabale and Kisoro, about 8-9 hours’ drive from Kampala.
In 1994, Bwindi is officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO. The Park holds diverse species of world’s importance – including a total of 120 mammal species, 360 bird species, 27 frog species, 220 butterfly species, 1000 flowering plants and these include 163 tree species, 104 fern species and more.
Why visit Bwindi
- Bwindi is officially recognized a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Park is ecologically rich and unique, featuring unbeatable naturalness with a dense forest with half of the world’s over 1063 mountain gorillas.
- Gorilla trekking is key experience offered in all the 4 regions – Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Rushaga.
- Affordable gorilla permits offering you a chance to visit gorillas in Bwindi.
- Bwindi is naturally an impenetrable forest park making it a significant home to mountain gorillas and other wildlife.
History of Bwindi
In 1932, the 2 (two) of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s blocks were gazetted as Crown Forest Reserves. Kayonza Crown Forest Reserve is the Northern block of Bwindi while the Southern block is designated as Kasatora Crown Forest Reserve. The two blocks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest covered an area of 207sq.kms. But, in 1942, they were combined and expanded creating Impenetrable Central Crown Forest.
In 1964, the Impenetrable Central Crown Forest was declared as an Animal Sanctuary, offering extra protection for the massive mountain gorillas. Its name changed to Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve and in 1966, two block reserves’ land area coverage increased to 321sq.kms.
In 1991, the Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve, Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve and the Rwenzori Mountains Reserve were declared as National Parks in Uganda hence Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Today, Bwindi covers 331sq.kms of land area and gorilla trekking became its major activity in 1993 with Mubare gorilla family being the first gorilla group to be visited.
Animals or Wildlife species in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the world’s biologically endowed parks and its ecological significance is a reason why it was recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site. For luxury travelers interested in luxury primate safaris, Bwindi is one place to consider a must visit.
459 mountain gorillas all live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, pus other wildlife sharing the same habitat including chimpanzees, baboons, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, golden cats. Other animals in Bwindi include the spectacled galago, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, pottos, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, DeBrazza’s monkeys, chimpanzees, etc.
Birds of Bwindi
About 360 bird species reside in the dense forest and other habitats in Bwindi. They include 23 Albertine rift endemic species, 14 of these don’t live anywhere else in Uganda. The birds of Bwindi include the Chapin’s flycatchers, Collared apalis, black billed turacos, Handsome francolins, Blue headed sunbirds, White bellied robin chat, Shelley’s crimson-wings, Grauer’s broadbill, Mountain masked apalis, Purple breasted, Western bronze-napped pigeon, etc.
Butterflies, amphibians in Bwindi
A total of about 200 colorful butterfly species 8 of which are endemic to Albertine rift all live in Bwindi including the cream banded swallowtail, African giant swallowtail, etc. There are 27 amphibians living in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and these include 11 endemic species.
Things/Activities to do while in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the premier Uganda safari activity that makes Bwindi the most visited primate destination. Almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas left all reside in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and on any of our premium Africa safaris, it is possible to track these large apes. The 4 regions to consider visiting for gorilla trekking in Bwindi include Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija.
Bwindi currently has 20 habituated gorilla groups open for gorilla trekking and they can be visited provided you have a valid gorilla permit. Every gorilla permit in Bwindi is issued to visitors at US Dollars 700 – (foreign non-residents), US Dollars 600 (foreign residents and East African citizens plus Ugandans – UGX 250,000.
For all gorilla safaris, ensure that you have packed appropriately and begin with essentials – including waterproof hiking boots, daypack, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, non-flashlight camera, pair of socks, hat, gardening gloves, packed lunch, rain coat, sweater, etc.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience in Africa is only conducted in Bwindi and only in Rushaga sector. Gorilla habituation is all about initiating gorillas to get used to human presence. All gorilla families undergo habituation before being opened for actual gorilla trekking and the exercise takes 2 years less or more. During mountain gorilla habituation, you will be following semi-habituated family for a full day and with trackers.
Habituation permits in Uganda: USD1500 for foreign non-residents, USD1000 for foreign residents and 750 Uganda shillings for Ugandans and East African citizens. You can have your gorilla habituation permit booked by Premium Africa Safaris while you relax back home and just wait till the date of engaging in your ultimate primate adventure in Bwindi National Park.
Birding
Birding in Bwindi is done excellent everywhere. The park is rich in forest and Albertine rift bird species. The birds to expect to identify while on birding here include blue headed sunbird, African green broadbill, Rwenzori nightjars, Chapin’s flycatchers, Collared apalis, black billed turacos, Handsome francolins, Blue headed sunbirds.
Hiking
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was recognized by CNN travel as one of the world’s best hiking destinations for a good reason. The park boasts of distinct nature walking trails in all its 4 gorilla trekking regions: Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Buhoma. Explore Bwindi on incredible hiking trails including Munyanga river trail, waterfall trail Buhoma, Muzubijiro loop, Rushura hill trail, Ivy River trail, Kashasha river, Bamboo trail, Mubwindi, etc.
Biking
Mountain biking experiences are incredible and excellent done at Buhoma sector, Northern sector of Bwindi. This is local community initiative run by the Ride 4 a Woman Community Group. They arrange guided biking experiences and tourists can hire bikes right from them.
Batwa community visits/cultural tour
Experience authentic African cultural experience only on guided Batwa cultural encounter. Meet the original forest keepers who lived peacefully with wild animals in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for thousands of years. They are popular for their unique hunting and gathering techniques which tourists get a chance to explore, their traditions, lifestyles, dances, music performance all await you to experience.
When to visit
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park enjoys incredible weather conditions due to its location astride Equator making it an all-year-round destination. The park enjoys pleasant tropical kind of climate but with dry season being the best for gorilla trekking that is June to September or December to February.
Where to stay – Bwindi
At Premium Africa Safaris, visitor comfort matters a lot and we ensure that we get the best for all our clients. Here are some of luxury accommodation facilities to considers for overnight stay in Bwindi: Cloud’s Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Retreats Gorilla Forest Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge and Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Recommended Standard/Midrange lodges in Bwindi: Engagi Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Silverback Lodge Bwindi, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp and more.
How to get – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Planning a Uganda safari to Bwindi with Premium Africa Safaris comes with several advantages. First, getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is possible using our spacious and comfortable 4×4 safari vehicles. From Kampala/Entebbe to this park is 8-9 hours and you can drive via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale with stopover visit at Equator crossing.
From Kigali, cross via Katuna to Kabale/Chanika border to Kisoro then to Bwindi for your gorilla safari. From Queen Elizabeth National Park drive via Ishasha with tree climbing lions not to be missed en-route or combine chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park and gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Connecting from Kibale to Bwindi takes about 6 hours.