Top things to see and do in Bwindi forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the most visited parks in Uganda – the reason – half of the mountain gorillas remaining in the world live here – and the good news is that they are thriving and growing in numbers. According to the last Survey – there are 400 Mountain Gorillas plus in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and here is some practical information – Tips – Advice. Things to do and see in Bwindi
Most visitors who come here – stay two nights – visit the mountain gorilla group for which they have permits (there are 11 habituated gorilla groups open for visitors) and return to Kampala or continue their safari in Uganda and or neighbouring Rwanda. Things to do and see in Bwindi
There is however much more to this ancient – primaeval rainforest – this UNESCO World Heritage Site – one could spend many days here on a Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Safari seven days or more in length – this is simply one of the most fantastic places in all of Africa – not to be found elsewhere – Bwindi is simply unique and has much more to offer than the magnificent Mountain Gorillas read on for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Information – Tips – Advice. Things to do and see in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the oldest Forest – it survived the platonic shift that created the Albertine Rift that is all around it – It is thought that Bwindi Impenetrable Forest may have had inhabitants 370,000 – 400,000 years ago by the Batwa People, the original people of the Rainforest.
Due to its age, one can find plants and trees here, that are not found elsewhere. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a hidden pearl in Uganda awaiting to be discovered by you, though many come here, the focus is gorilla tracking the magic and wonder of the ancient forest are missed. This 128 square mile park has much to offer – there are many activities here one can partake in, amazing scenery, plants, wildlife, birds, primates, the list is endless.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the most bio-diverse forests with one of the richest ecosystems in all of Africa. Here you can find 160 species of trees, over 100 species of ferns, over 1000 flowering plants, and Afro-montane vegetation that is simply incredible. It is located in southwestern Uganda and some of it along the border with the Democratic Republic – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the source of many rivers, there are pristine creeks, waterfalls, sights beautiful to behold.
Visit Bwindi Impenetrable forest, located at the edge of the Western Rift Valley in the highest part of what is referred to as the Kigezi Highlands. The altitudes of the park range from 1,190 to 2,067 meters, though Bwindi has a tropical climate that can range from 7 degrees Celsius at night to 27 degrees Celsius during the day. The rainy season in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest occurs in March, April, September, October, and November.
Here at Bwindi, you can find over 120 species of mammals including Primates such as the Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Black and White Colobus, Red-Tailed Guenon, Vervet Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Guenon, Baboons, Nocturnal Prosimians, Forest Elephants (hairier, smaller, smaller tusks, 1 extra toe on each foot), small antelopes such as Duikers, Bush pigs, Giant Forest Hogs, Several small species of Cats, 348 species of birds including African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimson-wing. Other birds include the Francolin, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Green Tinkerbird, Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls, Mountain Masked and Chestnut –throated Apalises, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, White-browed Crombec, Ruwenzori Batis and White-tailed flycatcher among others. , 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos – there is simply a lot of Discovery awaiting you at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
PLEASE NOTE: One does not track Chimpanzees here – though they are found here – Bwindi Impenetrable is the Gorilla Kingdom.
Things to see and do in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park
There are four areas at Bwindi Impenetrable Park from which activities are done – Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each area brings out unique aspects of the ancient Rainforest and many visitors stay at one or more areas in order to do the various activities that are unique to the area. Gorilla tracking is the major activity that visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest partake in – some visitors track gorillas twice.
Gorilla Trekking/tracking
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest provides an incredible backdrop for this once in a lifetime adventure. There are four trailheads from which one tracks one of the gorilla families for which we have obtained permits for you.
There are now 19 Gorilla Families that are habituated for visitors. That means that they are 88 daily permits available in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – one of the best places in Africa for gorilla trekking.
Gorilla Habituation Safaris
It is only in Uganda that you can be with a Mountain Gorilla Family for 4 hours on a Gorilla Habituation Experience along with researchers in Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest – this amazing experience – to be with a Mountain Gorilla Family as it is being habituated is a one of a kind experience in Africa.
There are presently two (02) family groups being habituated, meaning that they becoming used to human contact and will not run away from visitors trekking them.
You can fly into Kigali Rwanda and 03 hours later be in the Rushaga Region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You have the choice of budget, moderate and upmarket lodging and can stay either in Rushaga or scenic Nkuringo area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Ride for A Woman (charity project in Bwindi)
Ride 4 a Woman which is a community support group offers mountain bike rentals and guided bike in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Buhoma area of the park.
You can even do the Village Walk on a bike with a local guide. There are Birding Bike Rides, or simply a ride into the Forest such as the Ivy River Trail. The average Bike Ride is 3 hours or longer in length with much to see along the trail or road.
The local guides are all well-trained, some specialize in birding, others in culture but all know Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which they all love and want to conserve.
The Batwa Experience
The Batwa People – are pygmies – were hunter-gatherers and lived in the forests of Southwest Uganda and beyond. They left a small ecological footprint on the forest and lived in harmony with nature. You can visit the forest (actually outside of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) with the Batwa People and learn of their traditional ways of hunting and gathering.
The Batwa Experience takes place in the Buhoma area – if you are in South Bwindi you can visit the Buniga Forest with the Batwa people there.
