BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK 

Located in the South western corner of Uganda on the rim of the Rift Valley, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most popular travel destination in Uganda and the best gorilla trekking destination in the world.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park protects one of the ancient and biologically varied rainforests dating back to more than 25,000 years, this forest comprises of over 400 varied plant species and it is a reason to why the park is referred as “impenetrable forest”.  The park’s name “Bwindi” is a local (Runyakitara) word meaning “dark” in reference to the thick mist – forest cover dominating the hill landscape of the park, the forest lies on steep slippery valleys with ridges and hilltops. 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is at a size of 321 square kilometers with most of its areas covered by forests, bamboo and shrubs. The park lies at an altitude between 1,160 m – 2,607m above sea level. Because of the rich diversity protected in park that is different species of flora and fauna including the rare and endangered mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. 

As already stated, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best gorilla trekking destination in the world and this is because of a large gorilla population protected in the Bwindi Forest. The park is home to over 400 mountain gorillas which is the biggest gorilla population found in one area and is one of the only 2 mountain gorilla populations in the world. 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 160 species of trees which is the highest diversity of tree species in East Africa, the forests also inhabit more than 100 species of ferns, over 347 species of forest birds and more 200 species of butterflies. 

Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas and is the gorilla population found in one area, Bwindi gorillas are found in the 4 sectors of the park that is Buhoma Sector, Ruhija Sector, Nkuringo Sector and Rushaga Sector. 

Currently there are 22 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which are open for gorilla trekking tourism, each of the gorilla trekking sector / trailhead hosts its own gorilla habituated families. 

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to about 120 mammal species. Hover, due to the thick vegetation cover most of these animals are rarely seen. Wildlife found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include large and small mammals including elephants, buffaloes, golden cats, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, black – fronted duiker, yellow – backed duiker, clawless otter, elephants, side – stripped jack, civet among others. 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 11 primate species which are black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, pottos, Demidoff’s Galago, Spectacled Galago, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. 

Birdlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the Important Birding Areas in Uganda hosting about 350 bird species with 23 Albertine Rift endemics and 14 of which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda. 

Bwindi Forest is also home to globally threatened species such as Fraser’s Eagle, Western Bronze – napped Pigeon, Purple – breasted, Blue – headed, Regal sunbirds, Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimson-wing among others. 

Other birds Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include African broadbill, Black bee-eater, Black-billed turaco, Black-faced rufous warbler, Black-faced warbler, Blue-headed sunbird, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Grauer's broadbill, Handsome francolin, Many-coloured bush-shrike, Mountain masked apalis, Neumann’s warbler, Olive-breasted greenbul, Purple-breasted sunbird, Regal sunbird, Ruwenzori apalis, Shelley's crimsonwing, Western green tinkerbird, Yellow-streaked greenbul among others. 

Things to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Gorilla trekking is the major safari activity done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the ranked as the best gorilla trekking destination in the world, the park is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas with 22 habituated gorilla families open for gorilla tourism. 

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is offered daily starting as early as 07:00 am every morning with briefing at the park’s headquarters, in the briefing you are taken through the rules and regulations to follow on the trek. A specific gorilla family is visited on each trek by only 8 individuals per group, the trek normally takes 2-6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas and when you encounter the gorillas. You are allowed only to spend 1 hour in the presence of the gorillas and make sure you keep a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas. 

To participate in gorilla trekking, you need to be physically fit. Also, consider hiring a porter to help you out while hiking on this mountainous terrain that can be difficult.   

Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only destination in the world where gorilla habituation experience is offered, this activity offers visitors a chance to spend more hours in the presence of mountain gorillas (4 hours).

Unlike gorilla trekking experience, on gorilla habituation experience visitors track a semi- habituated gorilla family and will join researchers, scientists and trackers in following the mountain gorillas as they go on with their life in the forest from waking up from their nests to identifying them among others. 

Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Forest National Park is a prime Uganda birding spot ranked Africa’s number one birding spot by Africa Bird Club, Bwindi Forest is home to about 350 bird species with 23 Albertine Rift Endemics and 14 species recorded nowhere else in Uganda. 

Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is done on several trails running through the forest and with an experienced birder you will spot various bird species such as Black bee-eater, Black-billed turaco, Black-faced rufous warbler, Black-faced warbler, Blue-headed sunbird, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Grauer's broadbill, Handsome francolin, Many-coloured bush-shrike, Mountain masked apalis, Neumann’s warbler, Olive-breasted greenbul, Purple-breasted sunbird, Regal sunbird, Ruwenzori apalis, Shelley's crimsonwing, Western green tinkerbird, Yellow-streaked greenbul among others.

The best birding site in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Mubwindi Swamp situated in Ruhija Sector,a stretch of the forest joining Ruhija to Buhoma Sector and Buhoma Area especially on the waterfall trail. 

Nature walks and waterfall walks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Nature walks and waterfall walks is the best way to explore the verdant forest of Bwindi, this activity is done on various trails running through the forest, these trails lead to beautiful waterfalls where you can dive in the water. These trails include Buhoma – Nkuringo trail which takes 4-5 hours crossing through the national park, Rushura Hill walk – a trail through forest shared between Congo and Uganda, the Muyanga waterfall walk, Ivi River Walk of 14 kilometers taking about 7 hours and Muzubijiro Loop of 6 Kilometers walk going around the hill. 

Batwa Community Visit 

The surrounding community surrounding Bwindi Forest is home to the Batwa Pygmy people – who lived in Bwindi Forest before being gazetted as a national park. The Batwa – People co-existed with the wildlife in the forest for years, on your visit in these community, you will be entertained by local dances and drama, visit the local healer and demonstration of hunting skills among others. 

When to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be visited any time of the year for gorilla trekking, however the best time of the year for gorilla trekking is during the two dry seasons of mid-December to early February and June to September. During this period, the trails used for gorilla trekking are relatively less slippery and vegetation cover is less thick. 

As Uganda staddles the equator, there is rain all year round. 

Where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are found in the four sectors of the park and they are as follows 

Buhoma Sector 

Buhoma Lodge

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge 

Mahogany Springs 

Trackers Safari Lodge 

Bwindi Engagi Lodge 

Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Silverback Lodge 

Buhoma Haven Lodge 

Mwebase House 

Rushaga Sector 

Chameleon Hill

Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge 

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge 

Gorilla Leisure Lodge 

Rushaga Gorilla Camp 

Ruhija Sector 

Bakinga Lodge 

Broadbill Forest Camp

Kiho Lodge 

Nkuringo Sector 

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge 

Nkuringo Safari Lodge 

Gorilla Heights 

Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

By Air 

There are chartered and domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip and Kihihi Airstrip and connect to the park by a vehicle. 

Note:  Kihihi Airstrip serves visitors to Buhoma Area and Kisoro Airstrip serves visitors to Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sector. 

By Road 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accessed using several routes from Kampala, these routes are  Kampala – Kable – Ruhija or Kampala – Ntungamo – Rukungiri – Kihihi – Buhoma/Nyondo or Kampala – Kabale – Kisoro – Rushaga/ Nkuringo.