This jungle of steep mountains covered in thick forests is as magnificent and impenetrable as its name suggests. It is considered the most important forest reserve in Uganda.

Consequently, Bwindi Impenetrable national park covers an area of about 320 kilometers (32,092 hectares) and is one of the ancient habitats in Africa that even survived the last ice age as most of the continent’s forests disappeared. The park is famous for being a home to over five hundred (500) mountain gorillas, 50% of world’s total population.

About the park.

Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of Uganda’s major national parks and a habitat to over five hundred (500) mountain gorillas, comprising of nineteen (19) habituated gorilla families available for gorilla trekking expedition.

The park is situated in the mountainous areas of southwestern Uganda close to the boarder of Rwanda. It sits on an area of three hundred and thirty one (331) square kilometers and is famous for harboring mountain gorillas and other mammal and bird species. The tropical forest of the park is spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys and they are some of the largest areas in the region of East Africa that still have Afro-montane lowland forests that extend to well within the montane forest belt.

As a UNESCO heritage site, Bwindi Impenetrable national park is regarded as a biodiversity hotspot with possibly the most significant number of tree species best for its altitude. It is also waged on the eastern edge of the Albertine rift valley region and believed to be a “Pleistocene refugium.”

In addition to providing homage to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, Bwindi impenetrable national park has been a front liner in as far as community benefits are concerned; the forests support the neighboring communities in rain fall formation that facilitates agriculture and food production. The park has also played a bigger part in as far as environmental conservation is concerned and boosting tourism not only in Uganda but also in Africa.

Why is the Park a UNESCO world heritage site?

The biological riches and significance of Bwindi Impenetrable national park resulted into its designation as a UNESCO world heritage site. It comprises one hundred and sixty (160) tree species –East Africa’s highest diversity of tree species. In addition to trees, the park has over 100 fern species, 347 forest bird species and over 200 butterfly species.

Trekking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park.

Have you been passionate about seeing or spending time with creatures that are more like human beings – mountain gorillas? Here is an opportunity for you to be part of one of the most beautiful expeditions at Bwindi –gorilla trekking. Come and discover the secrets in the life of gorillas.

Gorilla trekking expedition in Bwindi impenetrable national park is organized in a way that only eight people are allowed to trek one gorilla family at ago. There are many gorilla trekking routes in the park meaning that, to avoid last-minute inconveniences, you are advised to secure your gorilla trekking permit in advance. It is an activity worth doing and a moment worth turning into a memory.

Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

The only difference here is that with gorilla habituation, there is an opportunity for you to spend more time with gorillas (about four hours) as you enjoy them feed, mate, play and socialize. You realize that nature is a true reflection of beauty in its own way.

Gorilla habituation permits are always few in number since they are on a higher demand compared to those of trekking experience. It is much better you book as early as possible in order to avoid being disappointed at the last minute.

Bakiga cultural experience.

The Bakiga are natives of the present south western Uganda who migrated from Rwanda a few centuries ago, they speak Rukiga language and they belong to the Bantu ethnic group. A chance to pay a visit to these lovely people is available for you if you happen to visit Nkuringo or Buhoma sectors of the park. You will watch their traditional dances, foods, local beer and you must fall for their world class hospitality.

Batwa cultural experience.

Yet another opportunity for you to explore another group of people on your visit to Bwindi impenetrable is here. The Batwa people are believed to be one of the ancient forest dwellers whose life was characterized by hunting and gathering. They have been in these forests for thousands of years.

Though for a long time, most of these people have been marginalized and undermined by their counter parts since they have taken time to accept civilization, however, visiting them can turn you into a life giver by supporting or donating anything you feel these people deserve in one way or the other.

The Batwa are hospitable by nature and they can entertain you with their traditional dances, foods, hunting and making fire. The Batwa people can be visited easily if you visit the Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Buhoma sectors of the park.

Hiking experience in and around Bwindi forest.

Have you any questions about world class hiking experience? Bwindi’s rugged terrain that makes hiking kind of challenging provides all answers to your questions. Part of hiking is watching birds, plants, butterflies, insects, and mosses, and many other species.

The experience is beautified by the park’s professional guides who are always available to answer any of your questions about nature. You can be part of this expedition by joining guided hikes in Buhoma and Nkuringo gates. The 5 hour Kashasha river trail involving stopovers is as well gorgeous and adventurous. The other Ivy river trail is a six and a half hour and fourteen kilometers far, but which involves stopovers.

Wildlife in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Having rich biodiversity of wildlife is the only reason as to why the park was designated a UNESCO world heritage site. Forest elephants (in the eastern region of the park), yellow-backed duikers (small antelopes), chimpanzees (though these are rarely spotted), blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys (also called mountain monkeys), copper-tailed monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys are some of the mammals that can be traced in the forest.

Birding in Bwindi.

Birding is one of the park’s major activities, a good number of birds can be viewed at Buhoma sector and these include but not limited to the following: black bee-eaters, black-billed turacos, Grauer’s rush warblers, African green broadbills, handsome francolins, African black ducks and Cassin’s grey flycatchers.

Gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four major designated gorillas trekking sectors; namely; Buhoma sector in the north, Nkuringo sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the east and Rushaga in the south-east.

Accommodation.

All the four sectors within the park have accommodation lodges that range from budget to fancy depending on your choice and finances. Feel free to book any lodge of your choice so as to have a better experience at Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Access to Bwindi Impenetrable national park.

There are two major ways of accessing Bwindi Impenetrable national park i.e. the Kampala route (Uganda) and the Kigali route (Rwanda).

The Kigali route is the quickest but requires double immigration clearances (at the airport in Rwanda and when crossing the border into Uganda). The route makes more sense in that it involves “killing two birds with one stone” that is visiting both Rwanda and Uganda at the same time.

On the other hand, the Kampala route involves flying to Entebbe International Airport just outside of the city of Kampala from where you have a choice of using any of the following options; Flying to Kihihi airstrip (north of Bwindi) then drive south to Bwindi, flying to Kisoro Airport (south of Bwindi) then drive north to Bwindi, driving straight there through Masaka – Mbarara highway.

NOTE: The journey from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi is eighty minutes’ flight. It is from here that you drive for another eighty minutes southwards until you reach Buhoma gate.

You are advised to take in some beautiful sights and sounds along the way if you are opting for the lengthy 8 hours’ drive from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi impenetrable national park.