Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in south western Uganda on the Rift Valley edge. Before getting a National park status, two blocks of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest were designated as Crown Forest Reserves in 1932 and stretched on an area of about 298Km². Later in 1964, it was turned into an animal sanctuary in order to protect the endangered mountain gorillas.
The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and it is found along the Democratic Republic of Congo border next to the Virunga National Park the oldest protected area In Africa and on the edge of the western Rift Valley. Bwindi is a true rain forest, spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys that form the eastern edge of the great east African Rift Valley.
The forest has an average rain fall of 1,500mm, and it is a very important catchments area, the forest is a source of five major rivers, which flow into Lake Albert. The forest habituates half of the World’s mountain Gorilla population. Bwindi has an estimated number 400 individuals living in 15 troops.
Bwindi National Park harbours 120 mammal species and other small mammals such as Rodents and Bats, to over 11 types of primates including the healthy chimpanzee population , Red-tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus monkeys and Olive baboon.
Bwindi impenetrable forest is home to more than 350 bird species which have been recorded and 23 species endemic to the Albertine Rift, and at least 14 species recorded nowhere else in Uganda and these include; the African green broadbill, white-tailed blue flycatcher, brown necked parrot and Frazer’s eagle owl. In addition to its extensive bird checklist, Bwindi is also a home to at least 200 butterfly species, including eight Albertine Rift Endemics.
Gorilla Tracking is the major tourist activity in Bwindi. There are four groups in Bwindi available daily for tourists to trek. These group communities are Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija.
Gorilla trekking and habituation are famous activities for the forest. These are activities are booked in advance, permits are acquired from UWA purchase US$600 per person per trek and gorilla habituation permits are USD $1500 per person per trek.
Gorilla trekking and habituation activities differs depending on time you spend with the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking you spend an hour with them taking pictures and videos whereas habituation takes a day learning about them as you take pictures and videos.
The driving distance from Kabale to Kampala which is 4140 km on bitumen surface and takes approximately 8-10 hours. Its also120 km from Kabale town to Buhoma Park Headquarters using Kanungu and Kanyantoroogo on murram surface driving for at least 3-4 hours and my require a 4WD vehicle. Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma is 95 Km and takes about 2-3 hours’ drive.
When going to Bwindi, one can use public means by getting bus from Kampala to Butogota. Taxis for hire are available for about $15 form Butogota to Buhoma Park Headquarters.
The protected area can also be reached by use of air transport using domestic flights from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi Airstrip and be transferred in a 4WD to the lodge of your choice and the sector.
