Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Situated in the southwest of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park engulfs the and oldest tropical rainforest on the African continent. The park is a habitat for some of the most attractive wildlife species one can set their eyes on when in Africa.

It is home to 120 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, lizards, and geckos to mention but a few. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has exceptional biodiversity and is an attraction to travelers from all walks of life the world over. Bwindi spans an area of about 331 square kilometers in Kanungu district.

It lies on the edges of the Albertine Rift in the western arm of the East African Rift Valley. Bwindi elevates up to 1162 2607 meters above sea level, a height that makes it a favorable home for the primates it hosts. Bwindi impenetrable National Park is indeed a dream come true destination for travelers seeking adventure in the most naturalistic environments.

History of the National Park.

Bwindi was established as a National Park in 1991. The park was created with the main aim of protecting the forest mountain gorillas that lived in that area and still do today. They had for so long been threatened by human activities, especially poaching, and encroachment on their land for settlement on subsistence agriculture.

The national park’s name – Bwindi was derived from a Runyakitara word Mubwindi which translates to English as “a place full of darkness”. This is the ultimate description of the interior of the forest due to its intact nature therefore it is a name well deserved.

The extensive area covered with bamboo and forest hardwoods makes up the attractive environment of the National Park which further makes it a favorable habitat for the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorilla trekking activities started in 1994 after the full habituation of the Mubare gorilla family and they are now even more exciting with other families that have been habituated in the past 29 years.

Major attraction and uniqueness of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The major attractions in Bwindi impenetrable National Park are the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is thus the most notable activity done in the park. It is important to note that Bwindi hosts half of the world’s only remaining population of mountain gorillas.

There are 21 fully habituated gorilla families in the park that visitors can trek and enjoy time watching and observing their fascinating behaviors up close. Bwindi’s uniqueness lies in the exceptional biodiversity it harbors.

The fact that it is home to Africa’s oldest tropical rainforest further makes it a place to be for explorers and nature lovers.

Other attractions in Bwindi.

The intact tropical rainforest. 70% of the land of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park consists of a moist evergreen tropical rainforest that comprises several species of flora and fauna. The forest has over 163 species and 120 ferns.

Lake Mutanda. Visitors to the National Park are presented with breathtaking views of the magnificent Lake Mutanda. This provides opportunities for sensational photography and videography and most notably sightseeing.

Buhoma waterfalls. These are found in one of the gorilla trekking sectors of the park and visitors often enjoy taking photographs at the waterfalls and relaxing while watching them. They help visitors reflect on the beauty of nature.

Batwa pygmoid community. The Batwa are a renowned society in the southwest of Uganda. They are attractive to masses of people especially due to their physique and traditional way of life. Visitors to the park have the opportunity to immerse themselves into the kind of life this vertically challenged breed of people live and learn about how they coexist with the mountain gorillas in the forest.

What to do in Bwindi.

Gorilla trekking. This is the main activity most travelers to the park indulge in. Visitors to the park buy permits with the help of registered tour operators that allow them to access the mountain gorillas. The gorilla trekking activity provides a thrilling adventure to travelers and the adrenaline-pushing feeling as you watch the gorillas up close.

Bird watching.  The Bwindi forest is home to a variety of East African endemic bird species which visitors to the park get the opportunity to observe. Visitors therefore watch bird species, especially the African fish eagles, turacos, abyssinian ground hornbill, black bee eaters, cinnamons, egrets, hammerkops, African paradise flycatchers, and scavengers.

Batwa cultural experiences. Visitors to the park get to interact and engage with the Batwa people. The visits to their homesteads parade opportunities to immerse oneself in the unusual ways of life they live and also learn more about their adaptability to the forest.

Nature walks. These are usually conducted through the tropical rainforest under the guidance of Ranger guides. They help the traveler appreciate the natural endowments of the forest and also get the opportunity to set their eyes on captivating animals

Mountain biking. This is yet another exciting activity that is carried out through the trails in the forests and helps visitors discover more of the park’s endowments.

When to Visit and how to access Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

The dry seasons of the year are the best seasons in which one can embark on visits to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They are characterized by low rainfall that enables travelers to trek the gorillas peacefully as they maneuver through the tropical rainforest with no interruptions of weather. The grounds are steady and therefore visitors can get to access even the difficult parts of the park. Dry seasons run from June to September and from December to February.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed both by air and road transport. With air transport, one can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro airstrip from where they can be picked up to continue to the park.

With road transport, one travels on the Kampala –Mbarara – Kisoro highway. The journey takes about 10 hours and 30 minutes covering a distance of 501.1 kilometers.