Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park; Into the Realm of the Silverbacks
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park; Into the Realm of the Silverbacks
Far deep into the ancient rain forest of the Pearl of Africa in East Africa, among the awe-inspiring rolling hills, streams and vast landscapes filled with the oldest tress species, lies a natural sanctuary of extraordinarily untamed ecosystems and vast biodiversity well known as the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a natural wonderland and home to the endangered mountain gorillas and other primate, mammal and bird species alike.
Standing as a symbol of the gorilla and wildlife conservation efforts in the country and Africa at large, this natural wonderland of the oldest untampered with ecosystem is strategically located in the southwestern corridor of Uganda the Pearl of Africa near the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Additionally, it specifically shares a border with the Sarambwe Forest with whom it share the same ecosystem.
With a total land area of 331 square kilometers in the district of Kanungu with in which it boasts its beautiful, natural and evergreen rain forest, this historical site gained its status as National Park in 1991.
However, due to the beautiful natural ecosystem it boasts and vast diversity of species it harbors on top of having more than half the total number of then remaining endangered mountain gorillas, it was declared as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Natural World Heritage site in 1994.
Unlike in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo’s Virunga National Park which are your only other gorilla trekking destinations, Bwindi’s many gorilla groups, cheaper gorilla permit’s cost compare to Rwanda and Uganda’s political stability compared to Congo gives Bwindi an upper hand to offer the best experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Other primate species you are likely to encounter during your visit to this natural wonderland include Black and white Colobus Monkeys, chimpanzees among others.
Bwindi Safari activities
Sectors and families in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
There are four (4) sectors in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park including Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma & Nkuringo. Each sector is different in accessibility, trekking experience, and altitude.
Despite the different locations of these sectors, it is very possible to connect from one sector to another with ease.
Buhoma Sector
Well Known for having the first gorilla habituation family called the Mubare gorilla family, Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park . It is the most visited sector with easy accessibility from the Kihihi airstrip .Alternatively, it can be accessed from Kabale town after a 2hrs drive
Gorilla and its young one in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
One of the many reasons why it is the most visited sector is that it offers the easiest trekking challenge suitable for even the old.
Ruhija Sector
Located on the eastern part of the park, the Ruhija sector is more suitable for you transferring from Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector. The sector is home to habituated gorilla families including the Bitukura family, Kyaguriro family, and Oruzungu family, and it is the coldest among all the 4 sectors.
Rushaga Sector
With the highest number of gorilla families is Rushaga sector in the southern corridor of the National Park. Unlike in Buhoma which is the only other gorilla habituation sector, Rushaga currently offers the best habituation experience in Bwindi.
The sector is easily accessible from Kigali through the Cyanika border in Kisoro which is a 3hr drive. It is home to 5 gorilla families including the Bweza, Busingye, Nshonji, Kahungye, and Mishaya.
Nkuringo Sector
Just like Rushaga, the Nkuringo sector is also located in the southern part of this UNESCO world heritage site park and is home to the Nkuringo gorilla family. Given its loction, this sector offers beautiful views of Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Although it offers the best views of the surrounding landscape, it is one of the most challenging sectors to trek in due to its higher altitude
Taking photos of Gorillas in Bwindi National Park
The sector is easily accessed from Kabale District which is a 3hr drive on the Kabale-Kisoro highway.
Selected Bwindi Sightings & Attractions
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
This UNESCO world heritage site globally known for harboring more than half the remaining total number of endangered mountain gorillas has a vast diversity of wildlife species that proudly call it home.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was named after the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the largest rainforests in Uganda filled with a rich biodiversity, oldest and untamed ecosystems. During your visit to this rain forest, you will be lucky enough to encounter some of abundant wildlife species that call it home and these may include the following
Mammals in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Forest Elephant in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Over 120 mammal species inhabit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with examples including, forest elephants, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, black-fronted duikers, Yellow-backed duikers, clawless otters, civets, side stripped jackals as well as bats and rodents.
These mammal species mate, feed, play and roam around this natural rainforest enhancing on its rich biodiversity.
Primates in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Although this natural wonderland is known as home to the endangered mountain gorillas, over 11 other primate species are seen thriving in this rich ecosystem and examples include the following.
Black and white Colobus monkeys,
L’Hoests’ monkeys
Red-tailed monkeys
Baboons among others.
Birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a natures haven for bird life with over 350 different bird species recorded including the African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Chapin’s Flycatcher and Shelley’s Crimson wing, the African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Warbler and short-tailed warbler, the Fraser’s Eagle Owl, Western Bronzenaped Pigeon, White-bellied Robin-Chat among others.
Birds in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Reptiles and Amphibians in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The park harbors over 27 amphibian species including the western rift Leaf folding frog and Ahl’s reed frog as well as several reptile species such as 14 snake species, 6 chameleon species, and 14 species of lizards.
Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the number one activity that yields great lifetime experiences. An average gorilla trek takes 4 hours after which you are allowed an hour with these endangered primates seeing them play, mate, feed and run their daily lives in their natural habitat.
You are allowed to take as many photos and videos as you want at a safe distance, however, unlike chimpanzees that are friendly with camera flashes, mountain gorillas are not.
Gorilla Habituation.
Unlike the ordinary gorilla trek that allows you only one hour with the mighty gorillas, gorilla habituation gives you more time of up to a days encounter with these gentle primates in the wild. In Bwindi, this once in a life time mind-blowing encounter can only be experienced in two sectors that is, Buhoma wiith Rushaga offering the ultimate best experience.
Batwa Cultural Experience
Cultural experience is one of the highlight activities in Uganda’s Bwindi National Park, where you encounter the Batwa Pygmies in the forest who were evacuated as a conservation measure of the endangered primates.
The Batwa cultural encounter exposes you to their unique dance, culture, and their traditional forest way of life.
Following the trail, the Batwa get to lead towards the forest where they demonstrate their traditional forest life such as hunting, fruit gathering, collecting honey, and performing rituals among others.
Batwa in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Birding Safari
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a birder’s haven harboring over 350 bird species and offers bird-watching safaris. You get a lifetime opportunity to encounter different bird species including the African Green Broadbill, Mountain Oriol, Great Blue Turaco, and Rwenzori night jar, among others.
Best time to visit.
It is crucial to note that Bwindi Impenetrable national park is open for visiting all year long, however, there are peak seasons that are so favourable such as during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February when the trekking and hiking trails are less slippery.
How to get there
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accessible either by road or by air means of transport.
By road transport means, the park is a 9-10 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe and the road trip is awe-inspiring as you have stopovers at the Equator for Photography, lunch in Mbarara, and other stopovers to view the beautiful scenery.
While using air transport means, there are daily flights from Entebbe Airport and Kajjansi Airstrip where you can fly to Kisoro or also to Kihihi Airstrips which is about 1-2 hours and then drive to your lodge.
Selected Bwindi Safari Packages
11 days Uganda Premium Gorilla, Wildlife & River Nile Adventure
$ 2900
per person
Safari Accommodations in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a variety of lodges where you can stay on your gorilla trekking tour. These range from budget, midrange, and Luxury hotels which include
Mahogany Springs Lodge
Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Four Gorilla Lodge
Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla Lodge
Clouds Mountain gorilla Lodge
Buhoma Gorilla Camp
Mahogany Springs Lodge
Bwindi Lodge
Gorilla Forest camp among others.
There you have it, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a natural enchantment haven teeming with abundant wildlife and also a sanctuary for endangered primates including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and various bird species.
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Low season
Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, may
Peak season
Jun, July, Aug, Sept, Dec
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