Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of the most visited protected areas located in the south western part of Uganda in Kanungu district at the edge of the rift valley. The national park was gazetted in 1992 mainly to protect and conserve the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Bwindi impenetrable national park covers a total area of 332 square kilometers which is composed of wildlife species including afro montane rain forest with undergrowth shrubs, vines and ferns which act as habitats for primates like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, monkeys bush elephants, different bird species among others. Bwindi impenetrable national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to its unique wildlife which includes mountain gorillas and incredible biodiversity.
Attractions in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Wildlife, the national park is known for harboring different wildlife species including primates the mountain gorillas, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks among others.
Birdlife, Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of the birders paradise in that it harbors more than 360 bird species including forest birds, migratory birds, endemic species and near endemic species such as purple breasted sunbird, handsome francolin, blue headed sunbird, black billed turaco, black bee-eater, African broadbill among others.
Things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is one of the popular activities that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park. Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity where you will get an opportunity to move deep into the forest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour in their presence. Bwindi impenetrable national park is known for harboring the largest number of habituated mountain gorillas which are equivalent to 19 groups hence making it the most visited gorilla destination. Gorilla trekking in the park starts very early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rules and regulations and it’s done in four sectors that is Buhoma sector in the north, Rushaga sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south. After the briefing you will be grouped into 8 people, allocated an experienced park guide who is well conversant with walking trails and then start trekking in the jungle which takes about 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas are found.
During the trekking of mountain gorillas, you will have spectacular views of other primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, bird species, different tree and plant species among others and once the mountain gorillas are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their presence which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos among others.
Gorilla habituation experience
Gorilla habituation is a process where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Bwindi impenetrable national park is the only gorilla destination that offers gorilla habituation experience and it’s carried out in Rushaga sector in the southern part. Gorilla habituation experience starts very early with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow while with the gorillas. After the briefing you will start trekking in the forest with a park guide and a team of doctors, researchers, scientists, park rangers among others to where the gorillas slept the previous night. During trekking you will have great views of other primates like monkeys, chimpanzees, different bird species, tree and plant species, some animals among others and once the gorilla family under habituation is found you will be allowed to spend 4 hours with them in their natural habitat. during the 4 hours with the mountain gorillas you will get an opportunity to learn more about their habits, behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, participate in naming each gorilla, take incredible photos with a flash less camera among others.
Bird watching
The park is one of the top birding destinations in Uganda with more than 360 recorded bird species including forest birds, migratory birds, 23 Albertine rift endemic species which are only found in Uganda and near endemic species which are also found in the neighboring countries. Bird watching is best done very early in the morning or late in the afternoon with an experienced bird guide in the mountain forest where you will be able different bird species including blue headed sunbird, handsome francolin, black billed turaco, black bee- eater, African broadbill, olive breasted greenbul, Ruwenzori apalis, regal sunbird, purple breasted sunbird, Shelley’s, crimsonwing, yellow streaked greenbul, mountain masked apalis, Grauer broadbill among others.
Batwa cultural experience
Bwindi impenetrable national park offers Batwa cultural experience which takes place outside the park. During the Batwa cultural experience walk through the forest where you will see where they used to live before they were chased outside the park, see different plants which used to cure different sicknesses, learn how to hunt, interact with the Batwa people in the community, visit their traditional homesteads, farmlands, learn how they cook and taste their local dishes, learn about their tradition, listen to their ancient stories, enjoy the Batwa entertainment through music dance and drama among others
Mountain biking
This is an interesting activity where you will be able to explore in and around the park on a bicycle. Mountain biking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is offered by women organization called Ride 4 a woman which has bicycles to rent and tourists who engage in the activity will be supporting the women as well as the local community. The activity starts with a briefing at the park headquarters where after you will be allocated an experienced guide who is well conversant with trails to follow. Mountain biking takes about 6 to 7 hours and during the activity you will have great views of primates like chimpanzees, monkeys, some animals, birds, see the local people, visit their farmlands among others.
Best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park can be visited all year round though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to October and December to February because this is the time when there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
The national park can also be visited in the wet season during the months of March to April and November because that’s the best time for birding where you will be able to view migratory bird species.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park
The park is located in the south western part of Uganda and it can be accessed by both road and air transport means
Road transport, when using road transport means you will use a 4 WD safari vehicle to drive from Kampala through Mbarara, Kabale to one of the sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park which takes about 8 to 9 hours drive.
When using road transport means the national park can also be reached from Queen Elizabeth national park where by you will drive from Mweya passing through Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park where you will be able to view the tree climbing lions lying up in the acacia or fig tree branches to Buhoma sector in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park which takes about 3 to 4 hours drive.
Air transport ,Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kayonza air strip, Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip depending on the sector you are going to visit. Air transport is however the best means of transport to use for visitors who don’t like travelling long distance journeys and domestic flights to the park can be booked by your tour operator.
