Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the Worlds Heritage Property, it is a tropical rain forest. This Park Harbors Endangered Mountain Gorillas and other Endemic Species which are the key Attributes of Outstanding Universal Values of this Park. The park is located along the Border of Democratic Republic of Congo next to Virunga National Park and on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley in the Southwestern part of Uganda in kigezi sub region.
The park protects over 163 species of trees and 200 butterflies, 360 species of birds and out of 24 bird species are endemic to the Albertine rift valley, 100 mammal species including 10 primates, Bwindi is most known for the endangered mountain gorilla, and it is having most gorilla tracks with over 18 habituated gorilla families.
Mountain gorillas leave in groups called Troops and is made of one Adult Male called Silverback and Multiple adult females with their off springs. Bwindi was gazetted by United Nations Education and Cultural Org. (UNESCO). Gazeted Bwindi Impenetrable National as National Culture Heritage in 1994. It estimated 400 mountain gorillas, but the number keeps on increasing although it remains the endangered species.
Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Gorilla trekking Adventure
Mountain Gorilla trekking can be done in four sectors of Bwindi impenetrable national park that is Buhoma Sector, Rushaga Sector, Ruhija Sector and Nkuringo Sector both totalling to Over 18 habituated families ready for trekking. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Starts Early in the Morning at 8:00am After Briefing from Ranger guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority who takes you through the Tropical Rain Forest of Bwindi to Trek gorillas.
Gorilla trekking takes around 2-8hrs and after meeting with the gentle apes you’re allowed to stand 7meters away from them and start learning their behaviors, enjoying their lifestyle for only 1 hour. Gorilla trekking gives you unforgettable authentic experience meeting with the gentle apes.
Gorilla Habituation Experience.
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park is another activity that gives a chance to travelers to learn more about the gorillas in their natural habitat of Bwindi Forest national park. The gorilla habituation experience allows you to spend 4 hours with highly intelligent gentle ape’s mountain gorillas than gorilla trekking which gives you the opportunity for only 1 hour, but the difference is that the gorilla trekking permit is much cheaper than the habituation permit and the gorilla habituation permit costs (1500usd) while trekking permit is (700usd)
Currently gorilla habituation experience is only taking place in Rushanga sector with One family side of Kisoro in Bwindi and the gorillas ready for habituation trek are less used to human beings and the rangers will guide you on how to interact with the gentle giants.
Batwa community Visit
After your successfully gorilla experience you can participate in Batwa community experience while relaxing at your place of accommodation in Bwindi and learn about Batwa (pygmies) culture. Previously Batwa (pygmies) people lived in Bwindi Forest were evacuated by Uganda wildlife Authority and were allocated on the edges of the forest to prepare the forest for conservation of mountain gorillas.
It takes about 20 minutes from the lodges to reach the Batwa families that have become most tourist attractions in Bwindi, but most travelers are interested in meeting and interacting with the community. You will be taken through their lifestyles, cultural dancers and learn about the Batwa cultural items like spears, arrows and they only hunted for food and that’s how they survived in the forest years back.
Best Time to Visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is accessible throughout the year. And you have all chances to meet with the gentle apes.
There are two seasons where you can visit and have successfully gorilla experience from the month of June and August known as peak seasons and December to February which are the best time to visit Bwindi for gorilla visit however gorilla habituation experience can be done throughout the year on each day.
During dry seasons you walk slowly and gently in the steep slopes of the forest because there is no muddy and few slippery and this gives you the opportunity to enjoy your gorilla trekking while taking photos for memorable moments
Rountes to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park is located in western part of Uganda in kigezi sub region and its accessible through kampala capital city of Uganda taking the ankole route via Masaka , Ankole Masaka dry collider and then Mbarara town in ankole and then ntugumo town where you will decide to continue with the Kabale-kisoro or take ntungamo- Rukungiri and then to Kanungu-Buhoma and it takes (9-10hrs) drive by Road and it includes a lot of adventures en-route with lunch to the selected hotel. This route is about 512km from Kampala to Bwindi with tarmac road and murrum roads in some parts of Kanungu near Bwindi but on shorter distance.
You can also fly to Bwindi using the internal flights.
There are two Airfields near Bwindi that is Kisoro Airstrip and Kihihi Airstrip that will help you reach your destination in time. You will book your ticket under your company with Earolink or Bar Aviation that operates internally in Uganda which takes about 45-50 minutes flight from Kajjansi Airfield to kisoro or Kihihi. This may help you to reduce on the long hours you would get while travelling by road.
The Routes provides Travelers with Excellent Views and beauty along the way like the magical ankole long horned cattle grazing along the way and the beautiful sceneries of kigezi hills and Aerial views of lake Bunyonyi.