Introduction To Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Guide to Bwindi Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in South-western Uganda at an altitude of about 1,160m-2,607m above sea level. It covers an area of 321 square kilometers and it’s found along the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo just on the edge of the Albertine Rift just next to Virunga National Park in Congo.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest, one of Uganda’s oldest Rainforests and also among the most diverse forests in East Africa is also part of the Park and it provides habitation for over 400 endangered mountain gorillas of which 14 gorilla families are habituated for Bwindi gorilla trekking in the various sectors of the park which are; Buhoma, Ruhijja, Rushaga, and Nkurigo under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, however, Mubare gorilla group was the first group to be available for tourism in Uganda in April 1993. The forest is also a home for 120 species of mammals, including various primates like the colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, as well as antelopes and elephants, about 350 bird species for example the hornbills, turacos and many others, around 220 butterfly species, about 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos, and many other endangered species as well as about 23 Albertine Rift endemics. The forest itself has over163 species of trees, over 1000 flowering plant species and about 104 species of ferns.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was gazetted as a national park in the year 1991 and it was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in the year 1994. Bwindi is also a source of five major rivers that flow into Lake Edward due to the fact that it’s located in an area with steep ridges and valley. In some regions of Bwindi such as Buhoma and Nkuringo, there are favourable luxury lodges, restaurants, budget campsites and rustic bandas. There are also craft stalls and guiding services. And through village walks and workshops, there are opportunities of discovering and seeing the performances of the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures in this community.
The ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest
Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest the few forests in Africa which still flourished even in the last ice age. It covers an area of about 331 square kilometers at an altitude of 1,160 meters-2,607 meters within the ishasha gorge, up the Rwamanyonyi Peak.
Its average temperatures range between 7-20 degrees C and the temperatures are normally cool in the months of June and July. Heavy rains are received in the months of March, April, September, and November, and it’s normally dry in the rest of the year, but however, there is no guarantee that it won’t rain since it’s a tropical rainforest.
The Ancient Rainforest is a habitat to more than 326 endangered mountain gorillas, in other words, approximately more than have of the total population of mountain gorillas in the whole world making Uganda the leading and as well main Gorilla Safari area.
The rainforest also provides Habitation for over 30 elephants, 120 species of mammals of which 7 are diurnal primates, about 360 bird species, 200 butterfly species, and it also has over 324 tree species of which 10 cannot be found in any other part of Uganda including 23 Albertine Rift Endemics hence making Bwindi forest favourable for trekking.
The Mountain Gorillas & Gorilla Tracking
This is the most interesting activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which has attracted many tourists hence promoting more gorilla visits in Uganda. Bwindi has about 14 habituated gorilla families but currently, gorilla trekking is mainly carried out in the southern part of Bwindi in the regions of Nkuringo and Rushaga.
Gorilla trekking In Bwindi costs only $600 therefore tourists who want to go for gorilla trekking are required to have their Gorilla trekking permit which can be acquired through contactig the Uganda Wildlife Authority head offices or through a tour or safari company. Through gorilla trekking, tourists are only allowed to spend one hour with the gorillas and only 8 trekkers are allowed per gorilla family. The age limit for one to go for a gorilla trek is limited at 15 years therefore clients below 15 years are not accepted for gorilla trekking. Therefore through your trek through the forest, you will be able to view the colorful beautiful birds, butterflies, the black and white colobus monkeys and many other plant and animal species. Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is one of the best National Park where you can find the endangered mountain gorillas. Therefore in order to have a chance to encounter with these gorillas, as a tourist, you have to book your gorilla trekking permit in a period
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking at Bwindi Impenetrable National park is carried out in and around Bwindi impenetrable forest and it’s offered by a women organization called Ride 4 a woman organization.
Through biking, you will be able to climb the Buhoma mountain trail and while at the top, you will be able to view the wildlife as well as the beautiful scenery of the forest hence leaving you with a memorable experience at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Hiking & Nature Walks
Hiking through the Bwindi Impenetrable forest is very interesting and as you enjoy the nature walk, you will be accompanied by fantastic views of various beautiful bird species singing in the air, butterflies, the beautiful sceneries of the ever green vegetation and waterfalls within the forest. You will also be able to see the chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys as well as other primates. Buhoma region of Bwindi has six main hiking trails and these include; muyanga waterfall trail, Rushura hill walk, Muzubijiro loop trail, Buhoma-Nkuringo trail, the ivi river walk, and the Habinyanja trail.
Birding
Bwindi impenetrable forest is a habitat to about 350 bird species for example the Blue-headed sun-bird, short-tailed warbler, Red headed Blue-Bil, White-tailed blue flycatchers, the attractive African Emerald cuckoo and many others. Therefore through hiking and trekking within the forest, you will be able to view these various bird species. The ancient rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provides more habitats for other unique bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics. The bird species include the Blue-headed sun-bird, short- tailed warbler, the shinning African Blue
Community Encounters
While at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will be able to encounter with the amazing cultural activities performed in the local communities of the Batwa and Bakiga local people. You will encounter with activities like the amazing cultural dances and singing which portray their past life in the forest, craft activities, farming skills as well as meeting with the blacksmiths and traditional healer who treats the sick using local herbal medicine from plants.
Buhoma Community Tours Cultural tours Bwindi: While at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will also enjoy cultural tours at Buhoma. You will have a three hour village walk around the village from which you will encounter with various cultural activities of the Local Bakiga and Batwa communities.
