Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked.
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
The neighboring towns of Buhoma and Nkuringo both have an impressive array of luxury lodges, rustic bandas and budget campsites, as well as restaurants, craft stalls and guiding services. Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops and village walks.
Beauty in the Bwindi
Africa’s richest forest, with an impressive list of species has 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths and 120 mammals including several primates, among them chimpanzees, Balck and white Colobus, Blue Monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabey,”L’Hoest’s monkey, and the star attraction, the mountain gorilla. Tracking mountain gorilla is an exclusive activity; with 10 habituated gorilla groups only eight permits are available for each group, giving a daily maximum of 80 permits.
Bwindi is also one of Uganda’s top bird watching destinations with 350 birds including many localized Albertine Rift endemic species. Outside the forest, Community walks provide an insight into the lives of the Bakiga and Batwa (pygmy) people living beside the forest.
The Ultimate Gorilla Experience
Uganda’s foremost tourist attraction, and indeed one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife encounters, is tracking the rare mountain gorilla in the remote forest of south-western Uganda. These magnificent animals, which are found only in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable and the Virunga volcanoes, number less than 800, over half of them in Uganda.
Gorilla Tracking
Gorilla tracking is a captivating and unforgettable experience which more than repays the efforts needed to reach Bwindi and to trek through the forest Bwindi has 9 habituated gorilla groups that are tracked every day 8 tourists per group; Mubare, Rushegura and Habinyanja are in the vicinity of Buhoma. Bitukura and Oruzogo at Ruhija; Nkuringo at Nkuringo. Nshongi, Mishaya and Kahungye at Rushaga.
