Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Located in western Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most famous national park in the country for its incredible gorilla trekking adventures. The park is the best place in the world to see the endangered mountain gorillas; it is home to half of the remaining mountain gorilla population.
Spanning 331 square kilometers, the rugged landscape of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park varies in altitude from 1,160 to 2,607 meters above sea level. The park is located within the Albertine Rift, a region renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, which contributes to its richness of life.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, in recognition of its outstanding biodiversity and critical role in conserving mountain gorillas. This prestigious status highlights the park’s significance as a repository of natural wonders and a fundamental component of African conservation efforts.
Gorilla Families in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park is home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world, spread across the park’s four gorilla trekking sectors/trailheads where gorilla trekking happens. These are the Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo sectors.
Currently there are 22 gorilla families in Bwindi habituated for gorilla trekking; these families include
- Nshongi gorilla family
- Busingye gorilla family
- Kahugye gorilla family
- Bweza gorilla family
- Bukingi gorilla family
- Mucunguzi gorilla family
- Rwizi gorilla family
- Rushengura gorilla family
- Habinyanja gorilla family
- Katwe gorilla family
- Bushaho gorilla family
- Bitukura gorilla family
Wildlife in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park is a haven for wildlife, with about 120 mammal species that are rarely seen as they hide in the thickets of the dense forest. These animals include elephants, duikers, buffaloes, golden cats, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, black-fronted duikers, yellow-backed duikers, clawless otters, side-striped jackals, civets, numerous bats and rodents, among others.
Bwindi Forest is also home to 11 primate species, including black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, De Brazza monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, pottos, Demidoff’s Galago, Spectacled Galago, baboons, chimpanzees, and mountain gorillas.
Birdlife in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park is a birder’s haven with over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, 14 of which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda. Birds in Bwindi include Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, White-bellied Robin Chat, Black billed Turaco, Fraser’s Eagle, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds among others.
Uganda Activities to do in Bwindi National Park
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to half of the remaining mountain gorilla population, which makes it the best place to trek mountain gorillas in the world. To take part in gorilla trekking, you need to purchase a gorilla permit prior to your gorilla trekking dates.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi starts with a briefing at the park headquarters, then heads into the forest in groups of 8 people. The hike lasts approximately 2 to 4 hours or more, depending on the movement of the gorillas and where they spent the previous night. You are allowed to spend only 1 hour with the gorillas, during which you can watch them play, feed, and groom, providing you with a deeper insight into their life in the forest.
On this excursion to meet the gentle giants, you need to wear long-sleeved pants and shirts to avoid scratches as you trek through the forest, carry a rain poncho, seasoned boots, lots of water, and lunch, and also consider hiring a porter as the terrain can be difficult to navigate.
Bird Watching in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a birder’s haven and is listed as a prime Uganda birding spot and was named as Africa’s number one birding spot by Africa Bird Club. There are several birding trails leading to the different areas of the park, which is home to about 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift Endemics and 14 of which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda.
Some of the birds you will see on birdwatching in Bwindi National Park include Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, White-bellied Robin Chat, Black billed Turaco, Fraser’s Eagle, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds among others.
Bird watching in Bwindi National Park is mainly done in the Mubwindi Swamp in the Ruhija Sector.
Nature and waterfalls walks in Bwindi National Park
There are various trails running through Bwindi National Park. You will explore the forest and enjoy its attractions with an armed ranger guide for protection in case you encounter a wild animal. The available trails in Bwindi include the Bhoma–Nkuringo trail, which takes 5 hours crossing through the national park. The Rushura Hill Walk is a trail that passes through a forest shared between Congo and Uganda, while the Muyanga Waterfall Walk and the Ivi River Walk, which is 14 kilometers long, each take about 7 hours to complete. And the Muzubijiro Loop is a 6 km walk around the hill where you have chances of interacting with primates and birds.
Community Walks and Cultural Experience
The community surrounding Bwindi Forest offers a range of cultural experiences; you can choose from the Batwa Experience, a group of people who used to live in the forests of Virunga before they were gazetted as protected areas.
On your visit, you are entertained by local dances and drama, meet the local people, witness their skillful hunting skills, and visit the local medicine man who will take you through the use of several herbs to cure a number of illness.
Getting to Bwindi National Park
On a Uganda Safari to Bwindi National Park you can get to the park by road and air transport.
By Road: Most safaris to Bwindi National Park start in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. There are several routes to get to the arch depending on the trailhead you are visiting. The routes to Bwindi National Park include: Kampala–Kabale–Ruhija, Kampala–Ntungamo–Rukunguri–Kihihi–Buhoma/Nyondo, and Kampala–Kabale–Kisoro–Rushaga/Nkuringo.
By Air: There are scheduled/charter flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip, then connect to various gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi by vehicle.
Accommodation in Bwindi National Park
There is a wide range of accommodation options in Bwindi National Park found in the four gorilla trekking sectors; these include
Buhoma Area
- Buhoma Lodge
- Bwindi Lodge
- Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge
- Mahogany Springs
- Buhoma Haven Lodge
- Silverback Lodge
- Mwebesa House
Rushaga Area
- Chameleon Hill
- Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp
- Gorilla Leisure Lodge
- Four Gorillas
- Kara Lodge
Ruhija Area
- Bakiga Lodge
- Broadbill Forest Camp
- Kiho Lodge
Nkuringo Sector
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Nkuringo Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Heights
