Bwindi impenetrable national park is the most visited national park in Uganda and a home to half of the World’s mountain gorilla population with 50 gorilla families with only 20 habituated families, Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of the only 4 gorilla habitants.
Bwindi Impenetrable national park is located in the Southwestern part of Uganda on the rim of the Rift Valley approximately 512 kilometers from Kampala – the capital city of Uganda, the park stretches on the hills which are mist-covered and sheltered by one of the ancient and very biologically varied forests in Uganda dating back to more than 25,000 years, the forest comprises of about 400 varied plant species.
Bwindi impenetrable national park covers an area of 331 square kilometers and is divided into 4 gorilla sectors / trailheads including Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. Bwindi forest protects over 600 mountain gorillas which is more than half of the World’s population of mountain gorillas.
Because of the rich diversity including different flora and fauna hosted in the forest and being a home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Bwindi impenetrable Forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.
In local language that is LUKIGA, Bwindi means impenetrable which is a reference to the jungle (among the most ancient rainforests in Africa) dominated the park.
Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi
Like already noted, Bwindi impenetrable national park hosts the biggest gorilla population in the world including habituated and none habituated gorillas, according to the census carried out by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in 2018. Uganda is a home to more than half of world’s gorillas living within the different sectors of Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla national park both found in the Southwestern corner of Uganda.
As of 2023, there are 20 habituated gorilla families found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and they are below
Buhoma Sector
- Mubare gorilla family
- Habinyanja gorilla family
- Rushegura gorilla family
- Katwe gorilla family
- Muyambi gorilla family
Ruhija Sector
- Bitukura gorilla family
- Oruzogo gorilla family
- Kyaguliro gorilla family
- Mukiza gorilla family
Nkuringo Sector
- Nkuringo gorilla family
- Bushaho gorilla family
Rushanga sector
- Nshongi gorilla family
- Bikingi gorilla family
- Mishaya gorilla family
- Kahungye gorilla family
- Bweza gorilla family
- Busingye gorilla family
- Kutu gorilla family
- Mucunguzi gorilla family
- Rwigi gorilla family
Wildlife in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home to about 120 mammal species however they are rarely seen as they hide in the thickets of the dense forest, these large and very small mammals.
Animals found in Bwindi include Elephants, duikers, buffaloes, golden cats, bush pigs, and giant forest hogs, black-fronted Duiker, yellow-backed duiker, clawless otter, side-striped jackal, civet, numerous bats and rodents among others.
Bwindi forest is also a home to 11 primates species which include black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, De Brazza monkeys, Red-tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey, Potto, Demidoff’sGalago, Spectacled Galago, Baboons, Chimpanzee and the gentle – giant mountain gorillas.
Bird in Bwindi Forest
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a birder’s haven with about 350 species of birds including 23 Albertine Rift endemics and 14 species which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda making the best place for birding in Uganda.
Birds in Bwindi forest include Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimson-wing. More species include; Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, White-bellied Robin Chat, Black billed Turaco, Fraser’s Eagle, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds among others.
Birding in Bwindi impenetrable national park is mainly carried out in the Mubwindi Swamp in Ruhija Sector, The Neck – a stretch of the forest joining Ruhija to Buhoma Sector and the Buhoma Area especially on the waterfall trail.
Things to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking is the main safari activity to do in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Bwindi is a home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and the largest population of habituated gorilla families this offering the best gorilla trekking experience in the world.
This activity offer travelers a chance to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in the natural habitat in the thick jungles of Bwindi, only group of 8 individuals from the age 15 years are allowed to participate in gorilla trekking. Before you head into the forests, you are briefed about the rules and regulations to follows, some of these to note include no flash photography is allowed, do not look directly in the eyes of mountain gorillas and stay a distance of 8 meters from the gorillas.
Visitors are allowed to stay in the presence of mountain gorillas for 1 hour while witnessing their amazing behavior, remember to carry a rain poncho, well-fitting boots and consider hiring a potter because the terrain can be difficult.
Bird watching
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a prime birding spot in Uganda and was named as Africa’s number one birding spot by Africa Bird Club, if you are visiting Uganda for a birding safari then Bwindi should be on top of your bucket list.
Birding in Bwindi impenetrable national park is done on different birding trails including the waterfall trail the waterfall trail, the forest is a home to 350 species of birds which include 23 Albertine Rift Endemics and 14 species which are only recorded nowhere else in Uganda.
Some of the birds you will spot in Bwindi impenetrable national park include Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimson-wing. More species include; Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, White-bellied Robin Chat, Black billed Turaco, Fraser’s Eagle, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds among others.
Nature and waterfalls walks
Bwindi impenetrable national park has various trails into the forest which will bring you close to nature, these trails lead to beautiful waterfalls where you can swim and the available trails include
- Buhoma – Nkuringo trail which takes 4-5 hours crossing through the national park
- Rushura Hill walk – a trail through forest shared between Congo and Uganda
- Muyanga waterfall walk
- Ivi River walk – 14 kilometers and it takes about 7 hours
- Muzubijiro Loop – 6 kilometers walk around the hill where you have chances of interacting with primates and birds.
Nature and waterfalls walks are done with an armed Uganda wildlife ranger guide for your protection in case you meet a wild animals and a guide to direct you.
Community walks and cultural experience
Community walks in Bwindi impenetrable national park are done in the communities surrounding Bwindi forests such as the Batwa and Bakiga Communities, during the visit you will experience how these people lived in the forest, how they co-existed with the gorillas and other animals for years, learn how bananas are used to make juice, beer, gin and also get to taste them.
Community walks in Bwindi impenetrable national park include Buniga Forest nature walk in Nkuringo – a forest reserve adjacent to Bwindi impenetravle national park. Nyundo community Eco trails and King Bakyara’s waterfall trail. Tour the village Aquaponics project with Conservation through Public Health (CTPH).
Getting to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park can be accessed by either road or air transport.
By Air – there are scheduled and chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi airstrip for those connecting to Buhoma area or to Kisoro Airstrip for those connecting to Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.
By road – it is a drive of approximately 8 – 10 hours’ drive depending on the route you are using, these routes include Kampala – Kabale – Ruhija OR Kampala – Ntungamo – Rukungiri – Kihihi – Buhoma/Nyondo OR Kampala – Kabale – Kisoro – Rushaga/Nkuringo.
Where to stay in Bwindi impenetrable national park
There is a variety of accommodation in Bwindi impenetrable national park and as a visitor it is recommended you book accommodation in the area or Sector you are going to do the trekking from. Accommodations in Bwindi impenetrable national park range from budget, midrange and luxury.
Accommodations in Bwindi impenetrable national park are as follows
Buhoma Area
- Buhoma Lodge
- Bwindi Lodge
- Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge
- Mahogany Springs
- Buhoma Haven Lodge
- Silverback Lodge
- Mwebesa House
Rushaga Area
- Chameleon Hill
- Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp
- Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Ruhija Area
- Bakiga Lodge
- Broadbill Forest Camp
- Kiho Lodge
Nkuringo Area
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Nkuringo Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Heights
Best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park
The best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park for mountain gorilla trekking is between June and August and then in December to February, these are the driest months with the best chance of sunny skies and clear days which are perfect for hiking through thick forest, although showers are always possible.