Explore Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Why Visit Africa’s National Parks?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site is located in the southwestern part of Uganda.
It is one of the largest areas in East Africa which still has Afromontane lowland forest extending well within the montane forest belt.
Wildlife Species
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park boasts approximately 460 mountain gorillas. Two-thirds of these are members of habituated family groups that can be tracked by visitors.
Other Albertine Rift endemics include L’Hoest’s monkey, Rwenzori three-horned chameleon and 23 species of bird.
The park is also home to unhabituated chimpanzees and a secretive population of perhaps 100 forest elephants.
More regularly encountered forest dwellers are bushbuck and several species of duiker. Of the 120 mammal species recorded, black-and-white colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey are most frequently seen by visitors.
Bwindi also has a great birdlife with 350 birds being recorded including the 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Butterflies are also something of a specialty, with an impressive list of 220 species, three of which are unique to the park.
How to get there
By Road Bwindi forest can be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the northern just 2 to 3 hours drive, from Kampala through Mbarara about 6 to 8 hours drive or from Kabale town to the southern just 1 to 2 hours.
These roads then converge at Butogota, just 17 kilometers from the Buhoma entrance-gate. A 4×4 vehicle is needed through the rainy months.
Bwindi is also well served by 3 airfields at Kihiihi plus Kayonza for the northern area in addition to Nyakabande found in Kisoro for people going to track mountain gorillas within the southern area (Mishaya, Nshongi plus Nkuringo).
Some visitors prefer to fly to the Rwandan capital Kigali, which is far closer to Bwindi than Entebbe is, and then drive from there. Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is where most visitors enter the country.
Activities in the Park Include:-
- Gorilla trekking safari
- Guided Cycling Tours
- Bird Watching.
- Cultural Tours.
Best Time to Go
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is open for gorilla trekking all year long, but the best times to go are from June to August and December to February. This is when forest trails are relatively dry and therefore less slippery. Also, your chance of viewing gorillas in dry weather is higher during these months. This might result in a better overall experience, and taking photos will be easier.