Bwindi Forest National Park, Uganda, Africa

Basic Facts - Bwindi Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park measures approximately 331 sq km and is located Southwest of Uganda close to Kabale town. Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest can be reached from Queen Elizabeth National Park in the north (2-3 hours), from Kabale to the south (1-2 hours), or from Kampala via Mbarara (6-8 hours). The roads meet at Butogota, 17km from the Buhoma entrance gate. A 4x4 vehicle recommended during the rainy season. In Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest, Gorilla tracking is the main attraction; permits must pre-booked at the Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Kampala. Other guided forest walks are available: one popular trail leads to a pretty waterfall, others focus on birding and monkey-viewing. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be visited any time, though conditions are more challenging during the rainy season. In Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest we have two up-market tented camps, a lodge, community-run budget rooms and camping are available near the Buhoma entrance gate.

Location Map View Bwindi Forest on Google Maps

More About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi is estimated to have a population of around 350 mountain gorillas, or nearly half of the world's population. Uganda's gorillas are found in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi is home to more gorilla families and is generally considered a better area to gorilla track. The number of gorillas in Mgahinga is limited to just one family, and they often cross the border into Rwanda which makes tracking them impossible. Bwindi has 17 habituated gorilla families across 4 distinct areas, Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga. There are crurrently a further two families being habituated in Rushaga. The gorillas here live in thick tropical forest and tracking can be challenging as the hillsides can be steep - it can take around 2-8 hours to reach the gorillas.

Generally, the better accommodation in located in the Nkuringo and Buhoma regions so trekking is focused here. The parks altitude ranges from 1200-2600 meters and five rivers and a high annual rainfall make it rather humid. The rainforest here is said to be 25,000 years old, and in this time biodiversity has flourished. Although best known for its mountain gorillas, the National Park is also home to an amazing 120 species of mammal (other primates include chimpanzees and l'Hoest monkeys), 51 species of reptiles and over 200 tree species. In addition, the birdlife is spectacular - 350 species are to be found here, including 23 of the 24 Albertine rift endemic bird species, including the African green broadbill and bar-tailed trogon.

Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest is true African Jungle. It is so called because of the dense undergrowth, vines and other vegetation make it almost 'impenetrable'. Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest is mysterious and awesome. The lowland rainforest and montane forest vegetation constantly struggles to reach heights that will allow it to receive more light. Huge trees are festooned with creepers and parasitic plants such as mistletoe and orchids. Giant thickets of bamboo thrive in the humid atmosphere and, where sunlight breaks though, the elegant heliconia, or lobster claw, spreads its colourful petals. Amongst the dense vegetation the Colobus Monkey jumps from branch to branch, chattering its warning to its fellows hidden by the foliage. Chimpanzees, in families of 20 or 30, make the rounds, searching for fruit and edible plants.

The Park is located in south western Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro, and Kabale Districts It was gazetted in 1991 with an area of 331 km2. It is situated in a hilly country-side that, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary, constitute an important water catchment area for many rivers, supplying the agricultural land of the surrounding region. As you walk among the shadows of the leafy canopy, this rainforest reveals the smells and sounds of Africa, just as it has been for centuries. Without doubt, your first impression of the dense jungle will be its almost audible silence. Jungle creatures are very, very shy, but, as you pick your way along the trail, through the dense undergrowth, you'll realise that the jungle is alive. . For more information regarding Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest National Park, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.

Bwindi also provides a habitat for 120 species of mammals. It accounts for about 340 species of birds and 202 species of butterflies. There are 27 species of frogs, chameleons and many other species which are endangered. The highlight of this sanctuary is the existence of about 330 Mountain gorillas. This accounts for half of the world’s population of this amazing Primate. It should be noted these gorillas are highly endangered. As of April 2007, the total population of Gorillas in the world stands at 720. There are four habituated Mountain gorilla groups in Bwindi, namely, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Mubare and Nkuringo. Each of these habituated groups hosts a maximum of eight visitors daily. There are nine other primate species found in Bwindi which include black and white Colobus monkey, red Colobus and blue monkeys among others.

Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in Africa including mountain gorilla, chimpanzee and 8 other species of primate. Elephant, bush pig, giant forest hog, many species of bats and rodents, at least 346 species of birds including rare forest birds, at least 14 species of snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, 6 chameleons, 14 lizards, skinks and geckos, at least 202 species of butterfly. There are also several endangered species of birds with limited ranges. This forest is a sanctuary for almost half the world's population of mountain gorillas (about 330 of 600), which is the rarest race of gorilla.

The gorilla tracking activity which started in April 1993 is a very captivating activity which involves walking in the wilderness as well as hiking along the hills of the park in search of these amazing Apes. Gorilla tracking is done in Uganda and Rwanda by Amazing safaris. The Gorilla tracking experience starts at eight in the morning and occasionally lasts the whole day. The park management organizes a briefing about the general conduct or behavior of trackers when visiting the Gorillas. Currently, there are four habituated groups in Bwindi. Ranger guides lead the visitors to the forest traps in search of these amazing creatures. The trackers follow the flattened foliage and piles of dung and sometimes the previous night’s nest to get the sense of direction in which the Gorillas headed.

This involves passing through giant thickets of bamboo, dense vegetation in view of monkeys jumping from branch to branch, chimpanzees in search for food and edible plants. The trackers hack through the under growth with machetes in a bid to make bearable paths for visitors. The Gorilla tracking activity can last for a couple of hours or minutes depending on the movement of the Gorillas the previous day. On discovering Gorillas, visitors are urged to keep a distance of five metres and not to use flash while taking photos. The neighboring towns of Buhoma and Nkuringo both have an impressive array of luxury lodges, rustic bandas and budget campsites, as well as restaurants, craft stalls and guiding services. Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops and village walks.

AfriChoice operates a wide range of carefully designed tours and safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest National Park by providing transport and booking a hotel for you. Our safari consultants will always be at your assistance should you need a tailor-made holiday to this unique destination. NB: For more information regarding Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest National Park, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.