Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is hidden well-packed with wildlife in the south western part of Uganda in the hills of Kabale about 530km from Kampala,the capital city.
It is a home to half of the remaining world’s endangered mountain gorillas, this impenetrable forest is the oldest and most biologically diverse rain forest with over 400 species of plants.
It lies on the edge of the rift valley in south western Uganda and protects at least 120 species of mammals, 346species of birds, 202species of butterflies, 163 species of trees, 100species of ferns, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos and more endangered species.
Bwindi Forest Impenetrable National Park offers gorilla trekking tours and safaris in Uganda as the major tourist attraction with 4 gorilla tracking trail heads, it has 19 groups of Mountain Gorilla families and only 8 tourists are allowed for one Gorilla family per day.
Birding is another attraction that provides great opportunities to see various Albertine rift endemics such as the short-tailed warber.
A 6 hour bamboo trail leads to Rwamunyonyi peak, at 2607m, is the highest peak and notable spot for birding.
While a 3hr descend to Mubwindi swamp could lead a visitor to endemic and localized African green broad bill .Other rewarding activities are mountain biking and nature walks to waterfalls and parts of the forest.
A short drive north to Buhoma, which sits on the DR Congo border, offers wonderful hikes along the hill crests and Rivers to discover waterfalls, glorious views and the traditional lifestyle and folklore of the Kigezi people.This park can be reached by road through several routes and these include:
Through Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya) – Kihihi – Buhoma. This route passes through Queen Elizabeth National Park’s southerly Ishasha Sector, providing a chance for the tourists to stop over and search for the famous tree-climbing lions.
You can also access the park through Kampala – Kabale – Kanungu – Buhoma or Kampala – Ntungamo – Rukungiri – Kihihi – Buhoma or Kabale – Ruhija – Buhoma – Kampala – Kabale – Nkuringo or you can travel by air using domestic charters like Aero Link Uganda that offers frequent flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrips.
Major Activities.
Gorilla trekking
Mountain gorillas trekking can be conducted all year round in Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo but due to climatic changes experienced by the national parks in which these gorillas stay, the majority of tourists prefer visiting from June to September as well as from December up to February.
You can visit Bwindi at any time of the year, the low season calls for lowering on the gorilla permit price and this is possible in April, May & November every year.
Nature Walks
Nature walks in Bwindi Forest Impenetrable National Park is arranged in five trails and they always depart in the morning at 9:00pm and in the afternoon
- Munyanga River Trail in the valley below Buhoma provides an ideal short walk to view birds and primates along the forest edge
- Waterfall Trail leads through one of Uganda’s most pristine tracts of rain forest,passing beneath tree ferns,epiphytic ferns and orchids to visit three sparking waterfalls.
- Rushura Hill Trail provides expansive views across the plains of the western rift valley to the west and lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountains to the north.
- Muzabajiro loop Trail climbs to the summit of Rukubira Hill for breathtaking views of Bwindi forest the western rift valley and the Virunga Volcanoes.
- River Ivi trail follows an old road through beautiful forest emerging near Nkuringo on the southern edge of the forest.It is highly recommended for bird watchers.
