Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in South Western Uganda has so much for everyone and you will truly be spoilt for choice wondering where to begin from when it comes to amazing tour adventures.
Did you know that Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a premier destination for gorilla trekking in the world and is the magnet that brings many primate and nature lovers to Uganda. The park has half of the living mountain gorilla population that it shares with Mgahinga national park but there is plenty of other adventure activities to engage in during a gorilla safari through the vast lush thick hilly forested landscape.
This is truly a nature lovers paradise with abundance of tree species, flora and fauna, birds, butterflies, reptiles and many other primates that is spotted during the trek.
Location
It is situated in south western Uganda on the edge of the Western Rift Valley with an area of 331 sq. km. Bakiga and Bafumbira people neighboring the park constitute the most dense settlements in Uganda. Few Batwa pygmies are also found.
Things to See in Bwindi
Tourists here find classic green vegetation scenery, lush rain forest, landscape, mountain gorillas, rich culture and a bonus of comfortable accommodation facilities both within and outside the park.
Mountain Gorillas
The Park is home to approximately 340 mountain gorillas and inhabits 4 different gorilla groups for trekking such as Nkuringo group with 19 gorillas and 2 silverbacks, Rushegura with 10 gorillas and 1 silverback, Mubare with 16 gorillas and 1 silverback and Habinyanja with 23 gorillas and 2 silver backs. Other animal species including the Colubus monkey, chimpanzee, elephant, antelope species: bushbuck and forest duiker, buffalo, golden cat, civet, bush pig, giant forest hog, black-fronted duiker, clawless otter, genet and many species of bats and rodents. There are over 350 species of birds. Visitors can observe Yellow Eyed Black Flycatcher, Black Bee Eater, Kivu Ground Trush, Grauers Wabler, Bar Tailed Trogon, Brown Necked Parrot, Black Billed Turaco, White Bellied Robin Chat, Frazer’s Eagle Owl and 200 species of butterflies and over 324 tree species, 14 of which are nowhere else found in Uganda.
Apart from mountain gorillas, Bwindi forest is a home to some wonderful bird species, butterflies, reptiles and other primates that entertain tourists during the search of mountain gorillas. As the most tourist popular tourist attraction in Uganda see what every tourist to Bwindi enjoy all through.
Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Trekking
Normally visitors to Bwindi forest take 2-3 days and explore the magical land of gorillas in Africa-Bwindi national park on a life changing wildlife encounter gorilla trekking an activity where tourists explore the jungle to see the largest giant forest primates. The one hour time duration with the mountain gorillas makes visitors forget all the hassles, hikes and treks and instead cherish the terrific moment with the beautiful primates.
Hiking and guided walks:
Four beautiful hiking trails are available in the park:
- Munyaga river trail is a good way to see, in a short time, birds and primates leading to the popular waterfall with many tree and epiphytic ferns, orchids and butterflies.
- Rushura trail leads along the border of the Congo’s Virunga Park giving wonderful views on the western rift valley floor.
- Muzabajiro loop trail offers breathtaking views of Bwindi forest, Virungas NP and western rift valley passing through hundreds of prehistoric tree ferns.
- River Ivi trail is the longest trail of the park, taking a full day, and highly recommended to bird watchers.
Additional to these trails it is possible to go to the Buhoma village visiting a local bee keeping venture, Batwa traditional dancing group, a primary
school, observe banana beer brewing, a medicinal healer, a Butterfly pool and end at a handicraft site.
Batwa Culture Trail
Known as forest people and Mountain gorilla friends, the Batwa tail in Bwindi forest is another thing tourists want to experience after wondering how a human being can live and depend on the forest in every life aspect. It’s something you will get excited about after your gorilla trekking safari adventure or before depending on your interest and gorilla safari arrangement. Be part of the batwa cultural trail a nature walk activity in Bwindi national park to discover the history and culture of the Batwa people of Uganda. During this tour adventure, tourists are free to join any activity but usually the hunting, local herb gathering, , music and dance are some of the activities I would highly recommend.
Bird Watching
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a great bird watching destination in Uganda despite it being famous for Uganda gorilla tracking safaris. Common bird species found in the park include Apalis,Montane Oriole, and Shorttailed Warbler,Kivu Ground-Thrush,Chapin’s Flycatcher and African Green Broadbill, Western Green Tinker bird,African Wood Owl,Archer’s Robin-Chat,Red-throated Alethe,Fine-banded Woodpecker etc. However, also bird watching tourists find Bwindi national park paradise and a home of their favorite bird species.
Other tourist activities to enjoy in Bwindi forest is the community walk to homesteads and also taste the locally made coffee in Buhoma sector of the park. Also there are many community projects that aim at lifting a local individual and other community members like rid a bicycle for a woman and the Bwindi hospital retreat, and schools that you can support through simple donations hence making your trip just what you wanted. Shopping can also be done at the gorilla park though its by choice but slovenlier shops are always open and ready to offer you Gorilla carvings that will remind you of your visit to Uganda.
Gorilla Permits
One must have a Uganda gorilla permit to see gorillas a thing that every tourist to Bwindi forest carry along as agate pass to the eyes of the silver back gorilla and its family members.