All You Need To Know About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most popular gorilla destination, one of the last places where endangered mountain gorillas can be seen in their natural habitat. Also, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to largest gorilla population which is half of the remaining mountain gorilla population in the world.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in Southwest region of Uganda, this vast park comprises of high-altitude forested mountains dominated by thick vegetation, thick mists, streams and dew.
All You Need To Know About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
What is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park famous for
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most famous mountain gorilla destination in the world and one of the famous destinations in Uganda and Africa as well. The park is one of the only four parks where you can see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, Bwindi was established in 1991 primarily to protect these endangered and rare species.
Mountain gorillas can only be found in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to more than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas with around 400 mountain gorillas, the park is the only place in the world where mountain gorillas and chimpanzees live in the same ecosystem.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest derives its name from the Runyakitara language which means “impenetrable”, what makes the park/forest “impenetrable” are the tall hardwoods interspersed with bamboo and dense ground cover made up of various ferns, vines and other plants. Passing through the vegetation cover in Bwindi is hard.
Bwindi forest is a large and primeval and of great ecological importance due to its impressive diversity, the park covers the mountains, valleys and ridges of the Albertine Rift which is part of the East African Rift and ranges from 1,160 m to 2,607 m above sea level.
Bwindi forest is under the protection of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 in acknowledgement of its biological significance.
Just like any healthy tropical forest, Bwindi Forest is often covered in mist same as the nearby Virunga mountain ranges hence the title of Dian Fossey’s famous autobiography “Gorillas in the Mist”.
Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Because of its biological richness and significance, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is hosts to 160 species of trees which is the highest diversity of tree species in East Africa, more than 100 species of ferns, over 347 species of forest species and more than 200 species of butterflies.
How big is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is at a size of 321 square kilometers / 32,092 hectares, the park has an unusual shaped as it was formed by merging of three former protected areas that is the Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve, The Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve and the Rwenzori Mountains Reserve.
Map of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Entry Gates to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
There are a few different gates used to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, because of the park’s large size it can takes hours to drive from one gate to another.
- Buhoma Gate is the entrance Gate to Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Nkuringo Gate is the entrance gate to Nkuringo Sector
- Ruhija Gate is the entrance gate to Ruhija Sector
- Rushaga Gate is the entrance gate to Rushaga Sector
Where is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the Southwest of Uganda sharing a border with Democratic Republic of Congo
In terms of geology, the park sits on the edge of the Albertine Rift, a western branch of the East Africa Rift and 60% of the park is over 2,000 m above sea level.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed using two main ways that is travel there from Kampala – the capital of Uganda or from Kigali – the capital of Rwanda.
From Kampala, it is a drive of approximately 10 hours to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, traveling to Bwindi from Kigali is actually a short journey to Bwindi with border crossing Cyanika Border when crossing into Uganda.
Traveling from Kampala, Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
One way to arrive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for international travelers is flying into Entebbe International Airport situated in Entebbe, just outside the city of Kampala. From here, there are three options to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Flights to Bwindi
Domestic/charter flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to either Kisoro Airport north of Bwindi then drive to the south region or to Kisoro Airstrip south of Bwindi then drive to the north region.
Flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 80 minutes and then about 1-2 hours drive to reach the park’s Buhoma gate, from Kisoro Airstrip it is about 2 hours drive north to Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Driving to Bwindi
Driving from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park follows a southwesterly route of 520 kilometers taking about 8 to 10 hours, the following routes are used to get to Bwindi.
- Kampala – Kabale to Kanungu to Buhoma
- Kampala to Ntungamo to Rukungiri to Kihihi to Buhoma
- Kampala to Kabale to Ruhija
- Kampala to Kabale to Nkuringo
Traveling from Kigali, Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The first option to travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is to fly into Kigali and then drive north to the park, there are a couple of routes used to get there. The fastest route is drive straight north to Kabale, a town in south Uganda. The drive takes approximately 2 hours, from Kabale it takes about an hour’s drive to reach the eastern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Gorilla Trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the few places in the world where you can go see mountain gorillas in the wild, gorillas in Bwindi are not in captivity.
In the whole world, mountain gorillas live only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Most of the travelers who want to go gorilla trekking head to Uganda or Rwanda, however Uganda is still regarded as the best gorilla trekking destination because its gorilla permit is affordable and has the biggest population of mountain gorillas in the world.
To go on a gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda, you have to book in advance as there is a limited number of gorilla trekking permits that are issued each day.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are four gorilla trekking sectors and each of this sector issues no more than 40 permits per day with most sector issuing far fewer than that. These permits are issued in groups of eight with each group being assigned to track and visit specific gorilla troop.
Gorilla Trekking Experience (What is a gorilla trek like?)
On the day of your gorilla trek, you will meet with fellow trekkers and your trek guide and the park’s headquarters for briefing, then your trek guide will lead you into the forest to find your particular troop. The hike to the gorilla troop can last for about 45 minutes to 6 hours depending on the gorilla family you are trekking, the hike if filled with plenty of uphill climbing.
Fortunately, you can usually opt for the length of hike that best suits you.
Note: it is also often muddy and the terrain is uneven.
When you locate your gorilla troop, you will spend one hour with them, often standing just a few meters away. You are allowed to take photos provided your flash is turned off. When your one hour is off, you will head back to the park’s headquarters.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Gorilla Habituation Experience is a great gorilla trekking experience curated for visitors who wish to spend more than one hour in the presence of mountain gorillas, gorilla habituation experience allows you to spend 4 hours with the semi- habituated gorillas which are still undergoing the habituation process together with park rangers, scientists and researchers.
Gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four designated gorilla trekking sectors each with its habituated gorilla troops, all these gorilla families have been habituated meaning they are accustomed to the presence humans.
these four gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi are
- Buhoma sector in the north
- Nkuringo sector in the west
- Ruhija sector in the east
- Rushaga in the south
Note: these four sectors have a plenty of accommodation ranging from budget camps to luxury lodges, the choice of accommodation to stay at in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park depends on your budget for a Uganda gorilla safari.
Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector is the most easily accessible gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the sector has three habituated gorilla troops which means there are 24 gorilla trekking permits issued every day for gorilla trekking.
Ruhija sector
The Ruhija gorilla trekking sector has three gorilla families that is Bitukura family, Oruzongo family and the Kyaguriro group. This means the sector has 24 available gorilla permits.
Ruhija sector is a very cold section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and what makes it so interesting is being home to both forest and savannah elephants.
Rushaga sector
The Rushaga Sector has seven gorilla families that is Nshongi, Busingye, Bweza, Mishaya and Kahungye family with two other gorilla families which are still under habituation. Nshongi gorilla troop is the biggest gorilla family with 25 members, in Rushaga sector there are 40 trekking permits available for gorilla trekking adventures.
Nkuringo sector
Nkuringo sector sites on a higher elevation and takes a bit longer to locate the gorillas compared to other sectors, Nkuringo has 3 habituated gorilla families meaning there are 24 gorilla permits issued on a daily.
Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo Sector is much harder than the other sectors and it is perfect for young and fit visitors, however visitors rewarded with beautiful scenery along the hike.
Note: there are chances of developing symptoms of altitude sickness while hiking this sector due to its great elevation.
The Local People of Bwindi
Bakiga and Batwa peoples
The population in Uganda is incredibly diverse with many of its smaller people groups retaining strong cultural identities that have developed over centuries, most of these tribes are hospitable and are very welcoming to visitors. For those interested in learning more about their traditions and behaviors can spend a day with them learning about their lifestyle and customs.
Depending on the gorilla trekking sector you are visiting, you will be able to meet the Bakiga or Batwa people for a cultural wish.
The Bakiga cultural experience
If you visit either Nkuringo or Buhoma Sector, you will have a chance to visit Bakiga Community, the Bakiga people migrated to the present south-western Uganda from Rwanda a few centuries ago and they speak Bantu language of Rukiga.
They are known for being very hospitable, their attractive terraced farms and be very energetic. The cultural dances are very entertaining and involves lots of jumping and stamping and is very physical.
The Batwa cultural experience
While on a gorilla safari in Ruhija and Buhoma Sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will have the opportunity to go on a cultural visit to the Batwa Community. The Batwa are hunter – gatherers of short stature who have lived in the forests of central Africa for thousands of years, their culture, homeland and very existence has come under threat due to need of land for farming, modernization of Uganda and the creation of Bwindi National Park as protected areas.
A Batwa Cultural Experience helps to support these marginalized people and reward visitors with an incredible experience of learning about their ways of life, the visited community shares with the visitors their traditional ways of hunting, making fires, building homes among others. They also entertain you with dances and drama which is truly a special experience.
Hiking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers some of the best hikes in the world, the rugged terrain of the park makes them challenging while offering fantastic viewpoints. The rich ecology of the park means that you will see array of trees, vines, flowers, birds, animals, insects, mosses and more.
The hikes are guided, so you will have a knowledgeable guide on hand to help you identify and discuss fauna and flora of interest.
The different hikes in Bwindi
While in Bwindi, you can take a guided hike along one of two well-maintained foot trails connecting Buhoma and Nkuringo gates
- The Kashasha River trail takes around five hours including rest stops
- The Ivy River trail is a 14 kilometers trail that takes about six and a half hours including rest stops.
While on a hike, you need to at least two liters of water and packed lunch. Also, you will need to wear long trousers and good hiking books (ideally waterproof).
Hikes for bird lovers
In Bwindi, there is a scenic trail from Nkuringo to Lake Mutanda which lasts around five hours. Also, there is a Munyanga Waterfall trail offering a gorgeous hike from the park’s Head Quarters to Munyaga Waterfall and back that lasts about three hours. This hike is great for those with limited time and also for bird lovers, though all Bwindi hikes are great for bird lovers.
Other hikes in Bwindi that are particularly rewarding for birdwatchers are the Rusizi River trail and the Habinyanja trail.
In Ruhija Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there is also the Mubwindi Swamp Trail offering beautiful, moderate-level hike taking four to fiver hours and offers spectacular views of the valleys and the Virunga Massifs. Given its location in the Ruhija Sector, you may as well spot elephants that is if you are lucky.
In Buhoma Sector, there is the Muzabajiro Loop which lasts three to four hours. The trail provides spectacular views of the forest, the Virunga massifs and the Rift Valley from Rukubira Hill.
The Rushara Hill Trail is another very popular Trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this trail is found in Buhoma Sector and its hike is fairly strenuous. The trail leads to the top of Rushara Hill – the highest point in Buhoma Sector, from here you can lookout over the Western Rift Valley, the Virunga Massifs and the high Rwenzori Mountains to the North.
Bamboo trail is a perfect option for hikers looking for a more challenging hike in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is also one of the best trails in the park, hiking on this trail lasts for seven hours and you climb a steep path up to 2,607 m above sea level (the highest point in the park).
From here, you can see the forest canopy of Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi and the Virunga Volcanoes.
This trail starts in the Ruhija Sector of the park.
Note: While hiking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you should wear long pants to protect your legs.
Wildlife of Bwindi Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its exceptional biodiversity, the park is home to 120 mammal species, 480 bird species, 220 butterfly species, 27 frog species and many more.
Some of the notable mammal species in Bwindi include
- forest elephants (in the eastern portion of the park)
- yellow-backed duikers (small antelopes)
- chimpanzees (though these are rarely spotted)
- blue monkeys
- l’Hoest’s monkeys (also called mountain monkeys)
- red-tailed monkeys
- vervet monkeys
- black-and-white colobuses
Birdlife in Bwindi Forest
Birds are one of the major attractions in Bwindi, the park hosts array of bird species and some of these birds include
- black bee-eaters
- black-billed turacos
- short-tailed warblers
- Grauer’s rush warblers
- African green broadbills
- handsome francolins
- African black ducks
- Cassin’s grey flycatchers
Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In Bwindi, you can go for gorilla trekking any time of the year since mountain gorillas do not migrate, hibernate or anything of that sort. However, gorilla trekking in the wet season is a very muddy and slippery experience which may not sound perfect for most visitors.
The best time of the year to head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking is during the two dry seasons that is Mid- December to early February and June to September. In these months, the trails in the forest are relatively dry. However, you should expect rain at any given time of the day.
Travel Tip – The best time of year to visit Bwindi National Park is December to February or June to September.