Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley which sites on 331 kms. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most biologically forest in Africa, largely due to its antiquity and an altitude range of between 1,160 and 2,607m above sea level. Bwindi is a true rain forest, spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys that form the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. The National park has an average rain fall of 1,500mm, and it is a vital catchments area, the source of five major rivers, which flow into Lake Albert. Tourism to Bwindi focuses on Gorilla tracking at two locations, Buhoma and recently established location at Nkuringo. More than half of the World’s mountain Gorilla population is resident in Bwindi. An estimated 400 individuals living in 15 troops.
Bwindi’s species
There are over 11 species of primates, including Gorillas, chimpanzee, Hoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkey, black and white Columbus, olive baboon. Particularly, Bwindi is home to over 400 mountain gorillas, a half of the total remaining world population. There are 346 species of birds recorded (Bwindi contains 90% of all Albertine Rift endemics, difficult to see in any other place in East Africa) and 200 of butterflies. Mammals count only 30 (buffaloes, leopards, elephants). There are 324 species of tree.
Popular Activities
Gorilla tracking is the main activity in Bwindi Impenetrable with 19 habituated families of mountain gorillas. Hiking trails are open to people to sight birds, butterflies and primates, trees (along the Munyaga, Waterfall, Rushura, River Ivy and Bamboo zone trials). Specially recommended for bird watchers are the River Ivy and Mubwindi swamp nature walks, cultural walk to Buhoma village community, to see the traditional homestead, the local healer, the mountain biking is also evolving, the banana brewing, handicraft and cultural performances for Batwa.
Nature Walks
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is widely thought to support the greatest diversity of any East African forest, and the Buhoma area has more to offer than Gorilla tracking. Five different trails, ranging from 30 minutes to eight hours lead from Buhoma offering the opportunity to enjoy the humility of the forest and several different monkey species. For birders, over 190 bird species have been recorded in the Buhoma area.
Accommodation facilities
Bwindi National Park has got quite wide range of accommodation facilities both luxury, Mid-range and budget which include Trackers safari lodge, Gorilla forest camp, Gorilla resort, Mahogany springs, Silver back lodge, Buhoma home stead, Lake Kitandara tented camp, Ruhija lodge (Luxury) and Engagi lodge, , Buhoma rest camp, Nkuringo safari camp (Mid-range accommodation).
How to get there
Bwindi National Park can be reached from QENP in Ishasha sector in the north Kabale to the south or from Kampala via Mbarara over 8 hours. The roads meet at Butogota, 17km from the Buhoma entrance gate. 4×4 recommended during the rains.
There are daily bus services leaving Kampala for Butogota via Rukungiri and Kihiihi. A matatu can be hired from Butogota to Buhoma the park entrance gate.
The Kabale – Ruhija- Buhoma segment on this route is 72 km on a murram road branching off at Harutenga junction on the Kabale-Kisoro road. Air transport: Travelers can fly from Entebbe or Kampala (Kajjansi airfield) to the modern tarmac airstrip at Kihihi air strip specially those who going to track in Buhoma sector in Northern sector and Nyakabande in Kisoro for those going to track gorillas in the southern Sector (Nkuringo, Nshongi and Mishaya as well as Nyakagezi family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.