What to see in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Tourist attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a top Uganda safari stop in Uganda’s southwestern Kisoro District, southwestern Uganda. The park covers an area of approximately 331 sq km of thick, lush vegetation that creates an impenetrable forest. Bwindi was gazetted as a national park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in 1994. Bwindi was mainly gazetted to save the critically endangered mountain gorillas, then on the verge of extinction. This famed Uganda safari location is home to a variety of attractions such as more than 120 mammal species, 11 primate species, 350 bird species, 200 butterfly species, and so much more.
The main attraction of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is its mountain gorillas, and Bwindi gorilla safaris are sought after by travellers wanting to catch that once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience. Bwindi is also a birdwatcher’s heaven, holding an impressive collection of birds.
Tourists visiting Bwindi can engage in many tourism activities, such as gorilla trekking, bird watching, nature walks and community tourism, to mention but a few, which display the park’s abundant natural and cultural heritage. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is still a must for a Uganda safari for those seeking an undisputed and unforgettable safari experience.
Attractions In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Mountain Gorillas In Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is home to about 459 mountain gorillas, representing nearly half of the global population. It is one of Africa’s best-known and most exclusive trekking destinations, best celebrated as a stunning natural experience ideally suited to adventurous lovers. The park is divided into 4 trekking sectors, such as Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Treks generally last 2 to 6 hours, allowing for seeing these rare primates in their lush, wild environment 98% of the time. The park is home to about 25 habituated gorilla families available for tracking, with a maximum of 152 permits issued per day.
Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation are some of the best experiences for wildlife lovers in Uganda safaris, especially in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These are excellent chances to see mountain gorillas in the wild.
It starts with a briefing at the sector headquarters, where visitors are also told about the dos and don’ts for safety and conservation. Armed ranger guides take trekkers into the thick jungle on pre-arranged paths in pursuit of mountain gorilla families.
Depending on the location and movement of the gorilla groups, the search usually takes 2 to 5 hours. Once a gorilla group is tracked down, guides enable up-close viewing, and trekkers can stay with the gorillas for 1 hour, if the group is fully habituated, or up to 4 hours, if the group is in the habituation process. During their 1 hour with gorillas, tourists have the chance to take photographs, shoot videos, and watch them perform their daily routines, which often turn out to be the most memorable moments for Uganda safaris and mountain gorilla safaris, especially. The best time to trek is usually during the dry season (June-August, December-February) when the forest is less muddy.
Animals
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, celebrated for its spectacular Uganda safaris, is not just the home of the mountain gorilla but also a haven for a wide range of other primates and mammals. When on gorilla-trekking safaris, you could see a lot of other wildlife in the thick forest. A nature walk in the park is also a great way for tourists to get a glimpse of the diverse animals that make their home in this jungle.
The park is home to many animal species, like the giant forest hog, forest elephants, side-striped jackals, L’Hoest’s monkeys, chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and many more. Those animals also contribute to the uniqueness of a safari in Bwindi and make it an ideal place for people who want to see wildlife.
Bird Species
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park on a Uganda tour is among the best birding safari destinations in Uganda. The park is famous for its diverse wildlife with over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine endemics, the highest number of bird endemics in one protected area in Africa. Bwindi is also a haven for bird watchers, drawing tourists who are nature lovers worldwide. The park is split into four sectors, such as Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga, each offering excellent opportunities to see birds.
Bird species that can be spotted while on the birdwatching safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include Grauer’s Broadbill, Little Green Sunbird, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Western Green Tinkerbird, Handsome Francolin, African Emerald Cuckoo, Regal Sunbird, White-Tailed Blue Flycatcher, Handsome Spurfowl, White-Starred Robin, Mountain Yellow Warbler, African Water Rail, White-Browed Crombec, Red-Chested Flufftail, Rwenzori Nightjar, Bar-Tailed Trogon, Blue-Headed Sunbird, African Broadbill, Yellow-Throated Tinkerbird, Black-Faced Rufous Warbler, White-Headed Wood Hoopoe, Double-Toothed Barbet, Many-Coloured Bush Shrike, Hairy-Breasted Barbet, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Western Bronze-Naped Pigeon, and Little Green Sunbird.
Other birds you might spot here include
Stripe-breasted Tit, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Western Citril, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Tambourine Dove, Grey-chested Kakamega, Rwenzori Apalis, Red-tailed Greenbul, Sooty Falcon, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Sharpe’s Starling, Ansorge’s Honeyguide, Banded Prinia, Stripe-breasted Tit, Cape Wagtail, Equatorial Akalat, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Slender-billed Starling, Northern Puffback, Brown-capped Weaver, Red-headed Malimbe, White-headed Sawwing, Dark-capped Bulbul, Red-headed Bluebill, Jameson’s Antpecker, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Joyful Greenbul.
The Batwa Community
The Batwa, historically known as “the keepers of the forest“, are a native, short-statured people who lived as hunters and gatherers in harmony with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for thousands of years. Forcefully displaced in 1992 in the name of creating the national park and saving the endangered gorillas, they now live on the edges of the forest, confronting poverty and social invisibility. Currently, the Batwa earn a living through cultural tourism by offering guided trails, music and traditional dances to support themselves and enlighten tourists.
Their fascinating history and way of life attract tourists who want to know about their traditional ways of living in the jungle and how they made the transition from forest life to outside life. A very popular tourist activity is the Batwa Trail Experience, where tourists will meet with Batwa people, learn about their traditions and see traditional dance and drama performances. This interaction with culture adds to the safari, providing an insight into the native culture of Bwindi.
Best Time To Explore The Attractions Of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is best visited during the dry seasons (June – September and December – February), as trails are less muddy and gorilla trekking is easier. The heavy rains of the wet seasons (March to May and October to November) can make the trails hard-going, though they also bring about the best vegetation and bird activity in the park.
For reasons of accessibility and ease of travel, you are better off planning your Uganda safaris during the dry season(s) to enjoy Bwindi’s amazing sights, including the mountain gorillas and the country’s best bird-spotting.
Getting To Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of Uganda’s top safari destinations, situated in the Kisoro district in the southwestern part of Uganda. It is famous for its mountain gorilla safaris and rich biodiversity. The park can be reached by road or air, and the mode of transport depends on your place of origin and travel preferences.
By Air
For those opting for air transport, domestic flights depart from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip for tourists exploring the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On the other hand, flights to Kihihi Airstrip are an option for tourists who are going to the Buhoma and Ruhija sectors in the south of the park. These routes enable travellers to book tours to gorilla safaris as well as other Bwindi safaris.
By Road
Getting to Bwindi Forest depends on which sector you will be gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Forest; to get to Bwindi, you can drive from Entebbe/Kampala on the main highway, which takes 8-9 hours. The northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma can be accessed by branching off the Kabale-Kisoro Road, where you will find the sign posted ‘Uganda Wildlife Authority’, which leads you to the sector where you will be trekking. The southern sectors of the Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads are accessed by a road turning off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro Highway.
