Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a biodiversity, mountainous area in southwest Uganda. It’s also home to many of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas; who feed on roots, leaves, and fruits from the park’s many tree and fern species. Restricted numbers of viewing permits help protect the endangered gorilla families. In the park, rough paths weave amid dense forests, which are home to many butterflies and birds.
The Government declared it as a National Park in 1992, and in 1994 UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site. The word “Bwindi” in the local Lukiga language, means ‘Impenetrable’; and this best portrays the thick forest vegetation that covers this 327 sq Km. The park is famous for mountain gorillas with half the world’s population in Bwindi forest.
Weather in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is too cold in the morning as well as in the night. Temperatures can drop to 7°C. However, the highest temperatures could get to about 20°C. The months of June and July across the year are the coldest. We recommend that you bring Warm clothes as well as rain gear since it rains any time.
The park’s terrain is challenging to traverse mainly in the wet and rainy months of March-May and September – November. Remarkably, Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks’ short tropical rains usually exhibit as long drizzles that fall for several hours.
Mountain gorilla trekking is the leading tourism product in Uganda today visited during the fantastic Gorilla trekking holidays. It’s the best place to enjoy a Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
During this fantastic activity, visitors see and spend some time with these fascinating huge though very peaceful mountain gorillas. It is mandatory to possess a gorilla trekking permit to be able to trek. The maximum number of people trekking per group is 8. Due to high demand for permits we always advise our clients to make reservations for a Uganda Gorilla Trekk; preferably a couple of months earlier to enable us to secure the availability of the permit on their preferred trekking day. Visitors can only trek the habituated Gorilla families below;
- Nkuringo group
- Rushegura group
- Habinyanja group
- Mubare group
Wildlife within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Because of the altitude of the park (about 1447m) and broadly wide forested slopes; this forest park has a variety of wildlife habitats; including the lowland forest as well as Afro-montane vegetation.
Some of the wildlife you will see include; more than 300 types of butterflies and over 80 types of moths; more than 50 types of reptiles and 120 rare kinds of mammals; 10 primate species and 200 tree species.
Important to note is that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is among the best bird watching destinations in Uganda. There are about 350 bird species as well as 90% of the endemics within the Albertine Rift.
The Batwa People – Batwa Cultural Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Batwa people are pygmies living close to the park. You should also take a cultural walk to the Batwa community led by these pygmies themselves. You will also be able to observe their traditional lifestyle, visit some of their community development projects.
Tourist Areas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Buhoma Area
The Buhoma area lies in the northern part of Bwindi Park. It’s so far the busiest tourism center and the beginning area for those going to Track gorillas within this area. It has several types of accommodation facilities that suit all budgets.
Nkuringo Area
Located on the remote Nteko Ridge and offers breathtaking views of the verdant forest towards the stunning Virunga. It is also another starting point for gorilla trekking safaris.
Ruhija Area
While on a self-safaris in private 4WD car should cross the park at the Buhoma headquarters and connect to Ruhija. Along the way, you will see the deep verdant valleys covered by a dense green forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the best place to do mountain Gorilla tours.