One of the most stunning parks in Uganda considered to be the Primate Capital of the World.

Bwindi was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 when the Batwa (pygmies) were evicted out of the forest in a bid to conserve and protect the endangered mountain gorillas and it was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to one half of the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas; there are 400 plus in the park. In total, there are 120 mammals, including numerous other primates such as Chimpanzees, Black and White Colobus, Blue Monkeys, Grey-cheecked Mangabey, and L’hoest’s Monkey. Bwindi’s diverse rainforest also protects 350 species of birds, over 200 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, 30-50 savannah/forest elephants, 163 species of trees and 100 species of ferns. Many of these are endangered species.

The park is 3,315 square kilometers in size and provides unequalled access to the popular Mountain Gorillas. There are 4 tracking trailheads. One of the trails leads to the highest peak, Rwamunyonyi, at 2,607 meters. There are 12 groups of mountain gorilla families that have been habituated and only 8 tourists booked per group per day. This limits and controls the encounters with humans. Many consider the encounter and subsequent eye contact with a mountain gorilla, the most exciting and poignant wildlife experience in the whole of Africa, and possibly in the world.

The experience of tracking the Mountain Gorillas is unequalled in terms of a wildlife encounter. It is challenging to trek through the Mountain Forest, but the payoff is huge. Personal fitness is important for undertaking such an adventure, as many hours of trekking through the thick hilly forest may be required. Briefings are given before all gorilla tracking begins; these take place at 7:30 am at one of the reception areas of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo or Rushaga. Depending on where the Gorillas are on any particular day, the tracking can last from a few hours to the whole day.

These trails also provide access to other attractions in the park such as rivers, waterfalls, swamps and a high level of wildlife concentration throughout. Birding is a huge attraction at Bwindi as well; great opportunities exist to see various Albertine rift endemics, including the short-tailed warbler. Guided walks are conducted daily and depart at both 9 in the morning and 2:15 in the afternoon as follow:

    1) Munyanga River Trail below the park office at Buhoma is an ideal short walk to view primates and birds along the edge of the forest.

    2) Waterfall Trail leads through the magnificent rainforest, viewing tree ferns, epiphytic ferns and orchids…ending at the waterfall itself.

    3) Rushura Hill Trail across the plains of the western rift valley to the west provides incredible views. Both Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountains can be seen on a clear day.

    4) Muzabajiro Loop Trail climbs to the summit of Rukubira Hill. Here one has breathtaking view of Bwindi forest, the western Rift Valley and the Virunga volcanoes.

    5) River Ivi Trail through the beautiful forest is highly recommended for birders. Emerging from the forest at Nkuringo on the southern edge, one encounters many of the hundreds of birds and butterflies in the park.

There are 5 alternate routes to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; the most popular is via Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector and Kihihi-Buhoma. Other routes are: via Kabale, Kanungu and Buhoma; via Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kihihhi and Buhoma; via Kabale, Ruhija, Buhoma; and via Kabale to Rushaga and Nkuringo.

Gorilla Tracking Permits are $700 USD per person for Non-Residents), $600 US for foreign residents and gorilla habituation permits are $1500 USD for foreign non-residents and $1000 USD for foreign residents (maximum number for gorilla habituation is 4 people thus it’s advised to always book 6 months before).

Enjoy Uganda virtually and while on safari.


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