Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Elevation: 1190-2607

Size: 321 Sq. Km

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a dense rainforest located on the southwestern border of Uganda. The word Bwindi is derived from a local Bakiga word “Omubwindi,” which means impassable. The Bakiga are a dominant tribe in the Kabale and Kanungu districts where the park is located.

As the name suggests, the forest is almost impenetrable and is considered one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world, dating back 25,000 years.

The park is home to the famous mountain gorilla and is believed to host more than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, estimated to be 1008 individuals.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only park in the world where mountain gorillas coexist with wild chimpanzees, although there is no chimp trekking as no community has been habituated.

Facts about the Mountain Gorilla in Bwindi

The name gorilla is derived from the Greek word “gorillai” which has an English meaning of hairy woman. There are different types of gorillas in the world, the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas, however, those found in Uganda’s national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park belong to the mountain gorilla (gorilla beringei beringei) species which is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and are listed on the IUCN list as endangered species, because of having a low population that is estimated to be 1004 individuals and a low survival rate in captivity.

Mountain gorillas exhibit similar characteristics to human beings, with living in family groups being one of them. A mature male, known as a silverback, leads the family group by selecting places for the group to eat and sleep.

The silverback enjoys many privileges, including the right to feed first. This benefits the rest of the family, as the silverback will defend them to the death if they are ever threatened. Silverbacks can weigh up to 160kg (260lbs).

 

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to several habituated gorilla families located in different sectors of the national park.

Buhoma has four gorilla families: Mubare, Habinyanja, and Rushegura. Ruhija has three families: Oruzogo, Bitukura, and Kyaguliro.

Nkuringo, located in the southern part of Bwindi, has one gorilla family known as Nkuringo.

Rushaga, also in the south, has five families: Mishaya, Nshongi, Busingye, Bweza, and Kahungye. In total, there are 18 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

 

The gorillas are generally a gentle species and are considered highly intelligent because they have been observed using tools and communicating using a variety of vocal sounds, similar to other great apes.

 

Bwindi is also home to over 350 bird species, with about 25 of them being Albertine endemics.

Activities at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest/ things to do at Bwindi impenetrable  forest

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is the most popular adventure tourism activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

During the trek, you will venture into the jungle of Bwindi and be rewarded with an up-close encounter with one of the few habituated mountain gorilla families that live in the forest. Depending on the region of Bwindi where you have permits, experienced rangers, trackers, and porters will accompany your group of eight people on an early morning trek into the dense rainforest on the mountain slopes.

The trek through the thick foliage and steep climbs is abundantly rewarded with the amazing experience of viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

You will have the opportunity to be within a few meters of these magnificent apes, sharing their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities. Mountain gorillas are extremely rare, with only an estimated 1,008 remaining in the wild.

It is worth noting that mountain gorillas are wild animals, and as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, viewing success rates are over 90%. This is an experience you won’t soon forget!

Community Village Walk in Bwindi

You can participate in any of the community walks through the local villages surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Optional activities include visits to a traditional home, local orphanage or school, banana brewing demonstrations and even meeting traditional medicinal healers. This three to four-hour walk is easily tailored to your schedule and interests. Village walks are popular in Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

Batwa Cultural Experience in Bwindi

The Batwa people are commonly known as the Pygmies in most books and are abnormally short people who used to call Bwindi forest their home, however, when Bwindi impenetrable forest was gazetted a National Park, they were expelled and have since started living a normal life. They used to feed on wild animals, gather honey and herbs, and used to stay in trees and caves.

This three to four-hour hike to a Batwa village amid Bwindi Impenetrable Forest will allow you to meet the Batwa elders and their families and learn about their culture. Through the assistance of a skilled interpreter, you will discover the Batwa’s unique traditions and practices including their deep attachment to the forest, their delicacies, how they harvest their food, the style of their homes, and their burial rites, you can also get a chance to learn how to light a fire with just a stick and how to shoot a target using traditional weapons.

Nature Walk Trails and Wild Photography

Visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest have the opportunity to take part in a guided nature walk between Nkuringo and Buhoma, both located on opposite sides of the park.

During this activity, you will have ample time to engage in nature and wildlife photography according to your interests.

The park boasts a beautiful natural landscape, vintage wildlife viewing spots, and mountainous terraces that are all worth capturing in memorable travel photos.

The three to four-hour guided hike provides a leisurely opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest, view the native wildlife, and learn about the many animal and plant species present in the park. You may meet the gorillas on your way through the forest. This walk can start from Buhoma to Nkuringo or from Nkuringo to Buhoma.

Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Northern Sector of Bwindi (Buhoma): Gorilla Forest Camp, Volcanoes Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Resort, Engagi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Buhoma Community Bandas, and Bwindi Gorilla Conservation Camp.

The eastern sector of Bwindi (Ruhija): Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, and Ruhija Community Rest Camp.

The south sector of Bwindi (Nkuringo): we have Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Bwindi backpackers, Lake Mutanda Resort, and Chameleon Hill Camp.

The southeast sector of Bwindi (Rushaga): Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nshongi Forest Camp, and other small lodges

How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Getting to Bwindi by air

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by air.  Outback Adventure Safaris has established a working arrangement with several domestic air operators that operate daily scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport and Kajansi airstrip near Kampala to Kihihi Airstrip for the northern and eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park( Buhoma and Ruhija sectors) while  Kisoro airstrip for the southern parts of Bwindi (Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors). The drive time from Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip to nearby lodges is approximately 1-2 hours.

Getting to Bwindi by road

When driving from Entebbe/Kampala to the northern part of Bwindi’s impenetrable national park which is  Buhoma, it may take up to 9 hours and 10 hours if one is driving to Nkuringo or Rushaga. You can drive through Masaka- Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kihihi, and Butogota and then to Buhoma or can path through Mbarara to Bushenyi, follow the Ishasha road to Kihihi and then Butogota town to Buhoma this route can also be used by those coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park. For those going to the south, they drive through Kabale town to Kisoro town and their respective regions.