Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the best safari destinations in Africa famous for its rich biodiversity and sheltering one of the rarest and most sought-after wildlife species on Earth. This Protected Area is known for its rich biodiversity and it is with no doubt that it is a special place where visitors’ travel spirits are lifted and unforgettable memories are created. The Park’s high concentration of mountain gorillas is one of the reasons why it is one of Uganda’s most visited safari destinations.
Bwindi’s size and Location
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated within the Southwestern side of Uganda along the edge of the Rift Valley, bordering the districts of Kabale, Kanungu and Kisoro. This stunning Protected Area extends for only 331 square kilometers and is a renowned gorilla trekking and birding watching Paradise.
Bwindi’s history
Bwindi was gazetted into a National Park in 1991 to protect its rich diversity that includes the endangered mountain gorillas, birds and flora. It then became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to its extraordinary ecological significance and in so doing, 10 square kilometers were added to it to form its current size. Bwindi is divided into four sectors -Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija with gorilla families in each of them.
What to see in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Unique wildlife species
With a total of 120 mammal species, this National Park has the highest recorded number of mammal species in a Ugandan Protected Area. Of these, 10 are primate species that include the iconic mountain gorillas, L’Hoests monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, Pottos, Olive baboons, Spectacled galagos, and red-tailed monkeys among others. Also sheltered in this Park are civets, black-fronted duikers, golden cats, forest buffaloes, side-striped jackals, giant forest hogs, forest elephants, clawless otters, black-fronted duikers, lots of bats and rodents among others.
Bird species
Known as one of the 33 Important Birding Areas in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park is home to over 350 bird species that include 23 Albertine rift endemics, 14 species that are endemic to the Park. Some of Bwindi’s birds include Kivu ground-thrush, Handsome francolins, Neumann’s warblers, Regal sunbirds, Mountain masked Apalis, Western bronze napped pigeon, Purple-breasted sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Black billed turacos, Red-throated alethe, African wood owl, dwarf honey guide, Black-faced rufous warblers, Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, Black bee-eaters, Shelley’s crimson wing, Western green tinker bird, Strange weavers, African green pigeon, White-bellied robin chat, bush shrikes, Grey cuckoo-shrike, bar-tailed trogon, Black-faced warblers, Chapin’s flycatchers, and the Yellow-streaked greenbul among others.
There are also over 200 colorful butterfly species in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and majority of these are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley. Also, about 27 amphibians and several reptiles call Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home.
Tourist Activities to enjoy in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Mountain Gorilla trekking
Mountain Gorilla trekking is the main reason why thousands of travelers make their way into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park each year. With over 20 habituated gorilla families here, over 160 gorilla permits are issued every day for this Park alone. These allow travelers to spend time with these Giant Apes within Buhoma, Ruhija Nkuringo, or Rushaga sector. You need a gorilla permit to access any of the gorilla families and this is only sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority at $700 per person for foreign non-residents, $600 per person for foreign residents and Shs. 150,000 for East African Community Residents. You have to be at least 15 years of ago and physically fit to trek these Giant Apes that live high in the mountains between 2500 and 4000 meters above sea level altitude.
Birding Tours
During your visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, don’t miss out on birding tours because you have great opportunities to spot Neumann’s warblers, Regal sunbirds, Mountain masked Apalis, Western bronze napped pigeon, Purple-breasted sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Black billed turacos, Red-throated alethe, African wood owl, dwarf honey guide, Black-faced rufous warblers, Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, Black bee-eaters, Shelley’s crimson wing, Western green tinker bird, Strange weavers, African green pigeon, White-bellied robin chat, bush shrikes, Grey cuckoo-shrike, bar-tailed trogon, Black-faced warblers, Chapin’s flycatchers, to mention but a few.
Guided Forest walks
There is no better way to explore the waterfalls, Rivers/streams, exceptional plant/tree species, butterflies, and the other primates in Bwindi than undertaking a guided forest walk. The most popular trails in this Park are the Buhoma-Nkuringo trail, Mubwindi Swamp Trail, Muzubijiro loop, Rushura hill walk, Munyanga waterfall walk, and the Ivy River Trail among others.
Mountain cycling tours
Mountain Cycling Tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are main provided by the “Ride 4 a Woman project”, a local community initiative that supports women struggling with HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Domestic Violence. You can hire one of the Bikes and join the local guide in exploring the hillsides and mountain slopes of Kigezi region while taking in views of Lakes, Rivers, bird species and primates especially monkeys and Olive baboons. You will also interact with the locals during this biking tour.
Village walks
Village walks allow you to explore the unique traditions, and cultures of the people- Bakiga and Batwa. The latter are the first inhabitants of the Central African Forests and you will learn about their simple ways of making fire from sticks, be entertained in their cultural dances and tour their small huts.
When is the Best month of the year to visit Bwindi?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park receives the highest number of visitors during the months of June, July, August, September and December because rainfall levels reduce during these months hence forest trails are less muddy or slippery. You will also discover that it’s the perfect time of the year to explore the Park.
However, if you aren’t a fun of crowds, then you should visit between March and May or October to November because most travelers avoid the slippery and muddy trails associated with heavy rains during these months. The merit of gorilla trekking during the rainy season is that treks are shorter, owing to the fact that these Giant Apes have lots of food hence don’t need to move far or deep into the forest. All in all, Bwindi is open all year round.
Bwindi National Park places of lodging
Where to stay in Bwindi is determined by the sector you are visiting. If you are visiting Buhoma, you can stay at Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Ride 4 a woman Cottages, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Mahogany Springs, and Buhoma Haven Lodge among others.
If you are visiting Rushaga sector, you can stay at Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, to emntion but a few.
For Nkuringo sector adventures, you can stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorilla’s Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights and many others.
If you are exploring Ruhija sector, you can stay at Ruhija Safari Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Agandi Lodge or even in Buhoma sector accommodation facilities.
Getting to Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda is accessible by air or road. For air, flights can be booked from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi (Buhoma and Ruhija sectors) or Kisoro (Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors), then proceed to the Park by road (one and a half hours’ drive).
For road, you can connect to Bwindi from Kampala or Kigali and the latter involves crossing the border via Cyanika (Kisoro) or Katuna border (Kabale) before connecting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
From Kampala, you will spend 8-9 hours on the road when using the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale/Kisoro route.