Covers an area of about 321 square kilometers forested with some areas being covered by bamboo and shrubs. The forest lies on steep valley slopes with ridges and hilltops. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is destination, is located in southwestern Uganda, with. Following its establishment in 1991, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 because of its rich, and unique biodiversity in hosting different flora and fauna and being home to half of the endemic world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Bwindi forest is home to over 160 species of trees, 105 ferns and countless flowering plants. Bwindi forest is a key water catchment zone and a source of water for many streams and rivers like Ihihizo, Ishasha, Ivi, Munyaga and Ntengyere. These rivers then flow into the nearby lakes of Bunyonyi and Mutanda and to as far as Lake Edward.
The Park Has majorly two divisions each with two sectors, these were established for better conservation and monitoring as well as offering that much fulfilling gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences. These include Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors in the southern Bwindi, Buhoma, and Ruhija sectors in the Northern Bwindi, two groups are found in Nkuringo sector and gorilla habituation experience which is done in Rushaga sector as travelers are permitted to spend 4 hours with the gorilla family if found.
According to the gorilla rules and standards in Uganda for both Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mountain Mgahinga national park the law recommends a maximum of 8 people to stay with the mountain gorillas for one hour per gorilla family.
Buhoma Sector.
Buhoma sector is the oldest, and most popular, having had the first ever Gorilla trekking visitors on 13th December 1993. Buhoma sector has a handful of Gorilla families, including; Mubare Gorilla Family, Habinyanja Gorilla family, Rushegura Gorilla Family, Muyambi Gorilla Family and Katwe Gorilla family.
Mubare family is the most popular group, given its legacy, to be the first group to be tracked, Mubare family had famed great leader “Ruhondeza”. The silverback that was the first leader of the family, that died of old age as an outcast in a solitary life in the nearby community, it was accorded a decent burial as he was to rest near the Uganda Wildlife Authority after
Ruhija Sector
Ruhija is located in the Eastern Bwindi Impenetrable National park and has three gorilla families which include Bitukura gorilla family, Oruzogo Gorilla group were the first families to be available for tracking and Kyaguriro group is slowly being integrated and initiated to tracking as research is still on for gorilla habituation.
What to Do in Bwindi
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi national park
Gorilla tracking is the most popular activity in the park, Bwindi forest being home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, you are assured of a successful gorilla experience. Gorilla tracking process starts earlier the tracking day, by acquiring a gorilla tracking permit, from Uganda Wildlife Authority, it’s recommended to use local tour operator, to avoid disappointment, be sure to have secured your permit(s), 3months prior your travel/ tracking date. June-September, are peak months, given the drier conditions in the area that assures the best gorilla tracking, while booking in these months, one should book way
Each family of gorillas is tracked by a maximum of 8 people, and each must be 15+, any people with cold or cough is not allowed in, because this poses a very serious threat to the health of the Bwindi inhibitors. Before the start of the gorilla experience, you will be briefed by the tourism and conservation officials on the Dos and DON’Ts while in the forest and how to behave in the presence gorillas some of which include:- to stay at least 7m from the gorillas, do not use flash photography and do not look directly in the eyes of the gorilla for an extended period of time. You need to wear long sleeved pants and shirts to avoid scratches as you trek through the forest, carry a rain coat, water proof tracking boots, lots of water, lunch (sometimes it takes an entire day to locate them) and finally consider hiring a potter because the terrain can be difficult.
Gorilla Habituation Experience:
The gorilla habituation experience was introduced in Bwindi more recently. This experience is currently only possible in Bwindi forest – not in Rwanda and not in Congo. This activity allows primate lovers more time (four hours) observing the primates instead of the standard gorilla trekking (four hours).
Birds in Bwindi Forest
Over 350 bird species, call Bwindi impenetrable forest national park home. It is by the best place for birding in Uganda owing to its unique species of birds. The forest is home to 23 Albertine Rift endemics and 14 of which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda, while in Bwindi you will have very high chances to see Mountain masked Apalis/Black faced Apalis, Regal sunbird, Rwenzori abatis, Rwenzori double collared sunbird, Dusky Crimsoning, Strange weaver, Blue headed sunbird, Red-faced woodland warbler, Rwenzori/African hill babbler, Archer’s Robinchat, Stripe Breasted Tit, Grauer’s warbler, Collared Apalis, Yellow eyed Flycatcher, Rwenzori Turaco, Dwarf honey guide, Red-throated Aletthe, African Green Broadbill, purple-breasted sunbird, Grauer’s Rush warbler and Short-tailed warbler. The globally threatened species include, Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimson-wing. More species include; Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, White-bellied Robin Chat, Black billed Turaco, Fraser’s Eagle, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon and many more.
Birding in Bwindi happens mainly in the Mubwindi Swamp in Ruhija sector, a forest stretch famously known as ‘The Neck’, connecting Ruhija and Buhoma sectors, as well as Buhoma trail.
Mountain Biking/Cycling:
Cycling is all fan in the Bwindi terrain, this can be easily arranged through your lodge, to hire a mountain bikes and led by one local as you set off to explore the surrounding areas. One of the popular bike hiring “for a woman” project hires mountain bikes to tourist in the Buhoma sector at a cost, the revenue is used to improve the lives of the local women in the area. The project also provides guides escort bikers through the local villages and in the forest where they can sight some of the forest creatures and waterfalls. Biking is not very fancied in Bwindi as a whole except for places like Buhoma but lodges in other sectors are picking up and organizing the activity for clients on a small scale.
Visiting the Batwa People:
Unlike the rest of the tribes in Uganda that migrated from different origins/cradlelands. The Batwa pygmies are believed to have lived in the forest for over 5,000years, making them oldest, true Uganda’s indigenous tribe. Unfortunately the Batwa have been displaced from the forest and promised to be resettled decently, away from Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National parks. The reason for their displacement was to protect the Mountain gorillas from diseases by minimizing contact with humans. Like we have already discussed before, the Batwa now live outside the park. Visiting the Batwa provides a unique opportunity to be with a true indigenous African tribe and learn about their ancient culture and way of life. While with the Batwa, visitors watch as they showcase their cultural heritage and ancient ways of life in the forest through storytelling, dance and drama.
Cultural and Village Walks:
Bwindi is a tribe rich area, besides the famed Batwa, the Bakiga live on the edges of the forest. Tourists can possibly visit one of these tribes and learn about their culture and economic activities. The Bakiga also have their own unique cultural dances and ways of doing things. When you meet a community group, you can be taken through their traditional heal proceedings and blacksmiths or teach you how to weave to make products like baskets and mats, how to ferment local beer and recipes of local dishes. While there you can be shown how some of the crafts are done, and so you can buy some of these beautiful local art pieces as a way of support their local works
An opportunity to visit one of the local schools or community hospitals and make a cash donation or arrange to donate items like sewing machines, water tanks and other essentials. It is important to hire a guide who is knowledgeable about the area, local people and customs. Always consult with the park office, your lodge or tour company before making any donations to ensure it reaches the right people
Canoeing
Canoeing in the region the most popular tourist activity at Lake Mutanda, sailing into the Lake is not just fan. One gets a better view of the unmatchable beauty and great sceneries of the Virunga mountain ranges. It give a fulfilling feel on sighting plenty of forest bird and water bird life, seeing them as they make nests in the papyrus swamps and beautiful lake islands making them excellent for bird watching. While on you excursion canoe, expect to encounter several local fishermen fishing, villagers washing and/or collecting water by the Lakeside.
Butterflies and Amphibians in Bwindi Forest
Special package for entomologists and herpetologist or even visitors with special interest in Insects and amphibians, Bwindi is home to over 200 butterfly species including eight Albertine rift endemics. They include the African giant swallowtail and Cream-banded swallowtail. The amphibian species identified in Bwindi forest are 27 with 11 endemic to the Albertine rift. Fourteen snake species, 14 lizard species.
The best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The best time is dependent on the season of the years, Bwindi impenetrable National Park is open throughout the year including on public holidays. However, the best time to visit Bwindi Forest during the drier months June – September and December — February. Gorilla trekking, nature walks and hiking tours are excellent during these periods because the forest trails are not as slippery or even muddy. During the dry season, there is a lot of activity in the park with more tourists. It is a chance to meet and interact with people from all over the world
The months of March – April and October – November is the rainy season in Uganda, and so prove a bit challenge but worthy for bird watching because it is the breeding season. And photographs during this time are better. Please be sure you’re travelling with warm clothing, sweaters, and water proof jungle boots and ensure you’re on long sleeves shirts while in the wild. Unfortunately the forest gets wet and misty with prolonged drizzles that can get annoying when out tracking the gorillas, so a rain coat is of great importance in such instances.
How to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
There are scheduled/ charter flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi town connecting to Buhoma and Ruhija sectors or to Kisoro Airstrip, which connects to, Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors.
Driving: From Kampala, the route depends on the trailhead you are visiting i.e. Kampala – Kabale – Ruhija Or Kampala – Ntungamo – Rukungiri – Kihihi – Buhoma Or Kampala – Kabale – Kisoro – Rushaga/Nkuringo.