Explore our detailed guide to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which covers essential travel information on attractions and activities, including a quick guide to gorilla trekking, where to stay, when to visit, what and how to pack, and all useful travel tips. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the Kigezi Highlands, Southwestern Uganda. This Park is located near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and is undoubtedly a biodiverse protected area. Bwindi National Park was declared a National Park in 1991 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi is lying at an altitude of 1190 and 2607m, with over 60% of its landscape set at the elevation of 2000m. The highest peak of Bwindi is the Rwamunyonyi Hill, which is located in the Ruhija sector, Eastern trailhead.
What to see in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi is an exceptionally biodiverse destination, home to more than 120 species of mammals, 160 species of trees, 100 fern species, and over 200 colorful butterfly species. It also features several reptiles, amphibians, and an estimated 350 species of birds.
Wildlife to explore in Bwindi
The diverse habitats of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provide refuge to different wildlife, including African golden cats, mountain gorillas, l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, and bushbucks. Bwindi also supports other species of animals such as side-striped jackals, olive baboons, duikers, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, African civets, giant forest hogs, African elephants, and colobus monkeys.
The reptile species that reside in the lush Bwindi Forest include geckos, chameleons, snakes, lizards, and others. The colorful butterflies include the cream-banded swallowtail and the African giant swallowtail, etc. The floral species comprise 1000 flowering plants, 104 ferns, and 200 trees.
The Bird species
Within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are about 350 bird species that make it an Important Bird Area (IBA), and several of them are Albertine Rift endemic species. The diverse species of birds to identify on a birding trip in Bwindi Forest include the African paradise flycatchers, African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimsonwing, Rwenzori nightjars, Doherty’s bush-shrike, Purple-breasted sunbird, African Hill-babbler, Chapin’s flycatchers, Kivu ground thrush, handsome francolin, Montane oriole, black-billed turacos, rock pigeon, and black bee-eaters.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also supports other species of birds, including the dusky twin spot, collared apalis, red-faced woodland warblers, strange weaver birds, blue-headed sunbirds, tit hylia, red-throated alethe, short-tailed warblers, and many others.
Activities to do when you visit Bwindi National Park
The main safari experiences awaiting you on Uganda tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include gorilla trekking, nature/forest walks, birding, community tours, and gorilla habituation experience.
Gorilla trekking
Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to enjoy a captivating mountain gorilla trekking experience. The park comprises 4 trailheads (Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga, & Ruhija) for tourists to begin their search for an already habituated gorilla group. Bwindi currently contains a total of 24 habituated gorilla groups, and each of these families is visited by 8 trekkers. Only single gorilla treks are conducted each day, with each session extending from 2-6 hours. The long trek with mountain gorillas includes an hour for up close and personal interaction, then taking pictures.
To see gorillas in the spectacular Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you should obtain a valid gorilla permit. Each of the permits for Bwindi can be obtained at US Dollars 800 per visitor under the category of foreign non-residents, US Dollars 700 per person (for the foreign residents), and US Dollars 500 for the rest of the African residents. Even East Africans (Ugandans, Kenyans, and Tanzanians, etc.) can book a permit for Uganda at UGX 300,000 per person and go to track habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A valid gorilla permit for Bwindi can safely be booked in advance through a trusted company like Maranatha Tours & Travel.
Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience
When it comes to gorilla habituation tours, there is only one to visit, and that is Bwindi National Park in Uganda. Mountain gorilla habituation is incomparably unique from the traditional gorilla treks. First, visitors embark on a search for a semi-habituated group of mountain gorillas, and you also have 4 hours to interact with gorillas. The gorilla permits for this particular experience are available for booking at US Dollars 1500 per visitor (non-residents), US Dollar 1000 for all resident visitors & the rest of the African residents, while Ugandans, also categorized as East African citizens, pay UGX 750,000 per person.
Birding (Bird-watching)
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the ideal places to find a diversity of birds, including a variety of Albertine Rift endemic species. On a guided birding tour, you can start at trailheads like Ruhija and Buhoma. The Ruhija sector/trailhead is popular for its enriching birding spots like Mubwindi swamp, while Buhoma offers incredible birding excursions along the waterfall trail, Munyanga River, Rushura, and Ivy River trail.
Forest or Nature walking tours
Bwindi National Park is recognized as one of the world’s best hiking destinations thanks to its diverse and enriching trails. The popular forest walking trails to explore in Bwindi Forest include, among others, the bamboo, Kashasha River trail, Buniga Forest trail, and the Ivy River nature trail.
Batwa community experience
The Batwa community/cultural experience is a perfect addition to gorilla safaris in Bwindi National Park. A guided Batwa cultural walk mainly involves visiting the Batwa pygmies, the historical forest hunters and gatherers who lived for decades in the dense Bwindi rainforest. Expect to meet the Batwa elders and experienced guides to take you through the ancient traditions, cultures, and practices of the Batwa pygmies. In addition to the Batwa cultural walk, you can also visit the Bakiga community.
When to go visit Bwindi National Park (Uganda)
Bwindi still remains an all-year-round destination, but the dry season offers the most favorable weather conditions for you to go on a gorilla trekking or hiking adventure. The dry months/seasons are experienced in 2 phases each year, that is, from June to September (marking the long dry season), and from December to February, which often marks the shorter dry season. Most safari activities are not safe to do during the peak wet/rainy months, that is, March to May or from October to November. These are usually preferred for birding, being the breeding months, and a perfect period to find even migratory birds.
Accommodation Choices for you to Stay in Bwindi Forest
The different accommodation choices to consider for overnight stay in and around Bwindi include budget, midrange, and luxury. They are distributed in the 4 sectors of the park, and you book a place that is adjacent to where you intend to start your safari adventures. The available accommodation choices here include Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park –Ideal Options
On Uganda safaris, getting to Bwindi is safe using road and air transport. Road transportation offers two main options for you to reach the park, that is, from Kigali and Kampala. From Kampala city to Bwindi, you can take between 8 and 9 hours or only 4-5 hours when you depart from Kigali city. Flights are also ideal options and offer a quick connection alternative to Bwindi, with departure starting from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro Airport.
Conclusion: trust Maranatha Tours & Travel for all plans to explore the wonders of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The above updated guide is perfect for anyone with plans to explore Bwindi, whether on a gorilla trekking tour or other safari adventures.