Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) is perched in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Albertine Rift covering the districts of Kanungu, Kabale Kisoro. It is part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which lies on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) enclosing the Virunga National Park. The park covers an area of 321 square kilometers (124 sq mi) with a combination of montane and lowland forest which makes it easily accessed on foot only. It was designated as a national park in 1991 to protect a range of species within it, mainly the mountain gorillas, and currently under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Bwindi Gorillas

Quick Facts

Location: Kanungu District, Uganda
Nearest Town: Kisoro
Area: 331 km2(128 sq mi)
Gazetted: 1991
Trekking Points: 4 (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga & Nkuringo)
Type: UNESCO World Heritage Site (1994)
Altitude: 1,106(Buhoma) - 2,607(Rushaga) Metres Above Sea Level

The park is gifted with a diversity of wildlife species because of large variations of elevation for this reason it was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site in 1991.

It is most famous for the magnificent primates the Mountain Gorilla which is the main attraction with a recorded population of more than 580 Bwindi gorillas as per the last 2019 Gorilla Census (Gorilla Fund). This is more than half of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas. There are 14 habituated mountain gorilla groups that are open for tourists. The park is divided into four unique sectors namely: Buhoma, Ruhijja, Rushaga, and the Nkuringo in the Districts of Kanungu, Kabale, and Kisoro respectively. Gorilla trekking became a tourist activity in April 1993 which made the Bwindi a popular tourist destination.

The park is also a sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, vervet. Other mammals include; African elephant, the side-striped jackal, the African golden cat, and the African civet, the giant forest hog, and small antelope species. It is also a birder’s haven with 348 species of birds some the birds spotted include; turacos, African green broadbill, and cream-banded swallowtail, African green pigeon, African harrier hawk, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater. Common. Crowned Hornbill, Giant kingfisher, Dwarf Honeyguide, Collared Apalis, Strip-breasted Tit, Regal Sunbird, Montane Oriole, Rwenzori Batis, Grauer's Rush Warbler, and White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, chains flycatcher, Handsome francolin, Rwenzori, Archer's Robin-Chat, Grauer's Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Doherty's Bush-Shrike, Tit Hylia, Strange Weaver, Dusky Twinspot.

27 species of frogs,220 species of butterflies, chameleons, geckos, and many endangered species. The park is known as one of the thick in East Africa, holding more than 1,000 flowering plant species, including 163 species of trees and 104 species of ferns. The northern (low elevation) sector is dominated by of Guinea-Congolian flora species, including two endangered species; Brazzeia longipedicellata and the brown mahogany, the park has numerous endemism of the Albertine Rift.

Red Tailed Monkey

Major Activities In Bwindi

Gorilla Habituation

Gorilla tracking is the park's main tourist activity, a gorilla permit is obtained first before you can track the gorillas in their natural habitat and can be purchased for up to two years in advance. 8 visitors are allowed to observe the gorillas for STRICTLY one hour per day and it is guided for persons above 15 years.

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is the park's main tourist activity, a gorilla permit is obtained first before you can track the gorillas in their natural habitat and can be purchased for up to two years in advance. 8 visitors are allowed to observe the gorillas for STRICTLY one hour per day and it is guided for persons above 15 years.

Activities In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Birding

As earlier stated, Bwindi is a birder’s haven with numerous beautiful avian lives, 350 species recorded, including 23 endemics (90% of all Albertine Rift endemics) these include; the Short-tailed Warbler and Blue-headed Sunbird as well as seven IUCN red data listed species.

Nature Walks & Hiking

This is a breath-taking guided adventure activity; the park has six main well-maintained nature trails which are found in Buhoma. During the trial, you will be able to explore the thick forest. You will also see the waterfalls, spot some primates like; chimpanzees and monkeys

Mountain Biking

Another opportunity to traverse Bwindi using a mountain bike. It is a guided activity that follows a well-demarcated trail from the park headquarters at Buhoma to the Ivi River covering about 13km. The biking activity is organized by Buhoma Community Rest Camp under the “Ride for a Woman “a...

Community & Cultural Visit

This is a great opportunity to explore and learn about the culture of the local people in the; Bakiga and Batwa communities. They have interesting culture and tradition which will leave you astonished. You can also engage in backcloth making, preparing local meals take, village walks, enjoy the dynamic

Popular Gorilla Safaris