The Bwindi National Park covers 331 sq km of tropical forest in southwestern Uganda, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is best known as the home of half the world's population of mountain gorillas, though the park also boasts chimpanzees and several other species of primates. Bwindi means muddy, swampy place full of darkness – or ‘impenetrable’. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a tropical rainforest largely contained within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). It is located in south western Uganda, within the triangle of mountains where Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR) converge. It is about 25km north of the Virunga volcanoes and on the edge of the western Rift valley. In 1991 the Ugandan part of the forest became a national park, ‘Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’ protecting 127 square metres of rainforest, home to around 340 endangered mountain gorillas - about half of the world’s mountain gorillas remaining in the wild. The region has one of the richest ecosystems in Africa with more than 160 species of trees, over 100 species of ferns, and over 200 butterfly species. Bwindi is also famous for the "Albertine rift Endemic", a group of Birds specific to the Western Rift valley. Over 346 species of birds have been recorded in the region. Amongst the many species of mammals are a number of other primate species including red tailed guenon, blue guenon, L’Hoest’s guenon, black & white colobus, ververt and baboon, as well as nocturnal prosimians. The chimp population is estimated at 300-400. Bwindi is the only place in the world in which mountain gorillas and chimpanzees still co-exist. Other animals found in the region include elephants, duiker, bushpig, giant forest hog and several small cat species.
Have an early breakfast and be at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Headquarters for the Mountain Gorilla Tracking (Trekking) orientation and meeting with guides and separation into groups depending on which group you will be tracking . Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the Western Rift Valley. Bwindi is home to over half of the Mountain Gorillas in the world. There area more than 300 some gorillas found here. Visitors from every corner of the globe come here for the Ultimate Ugandan Safari - Mountain Gorilla tracking (trekking) at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The word Bwindi means darkness and when you hike this fabulous forest you can know why it is called that. You will also be able to quickly to tell why the word Impenetrable is used here for this forest. One needs to be physically fit to embark on this gorilla venture since it can involve steep climbs or coming down a hill that is wet at times. Besides the gorillas there are 346 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies There are 324 tree species here, 10 of which are found nowhere else in Uganda. This is truly a place to explore. Since there are limited Gorillas here that have been habituated (meaning that they are used to people and are not prone to attack), there is limited time to see them and permits are presently priced at $500 a person. No one complains after having spent some time with Mountain Gorillas of Uganda at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the most beautiful rainforest you will ever see. Then it is off for your own Gorillas in the Mist experience. Hiking through this mysterious and magnificent forest where there is much else to see on your way to your Mountain Gorilla Group. The flora and fauna, the other primates, mammals, birds, butterflies will be most beautiful and only enhance this very special day. The tracking (trekking) can involve some rigorous climbing and hiking but then you are face to face with these powerful Mountain Gorillas, observing them just a few meters from you watching the group, mothers with a baby, the gorillas doing their daily routine and you are there. You will not find the mountain gorillas in any zoo, but only in this small section of Africa where the remaining mountain gorillas are found. Fortunately and due to much work they are thriving and surviving here at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and you are there seeing them up close and personal.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve was gazetted in the year of 1942 and later in 1992 it was upgraded to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and in 1994 it was recognized as a World Heritage Site. In local language (Lukiga), Bwindi actually means ‘Impenetrable.’ This repeated warning is apt, for Bwindi is all however impenetrable; 327 km2 of tangled plant life draped over a deep fissured landscape of steep, slippery valleys & high, draughty ridges. However if the terrain is far from easy to manage, it’s well worthy the effort. A trek through this, is among Africa’s most ancient rainforests, in search of the vulnerable mountain gorilla, ranks among one of the world’s premier wildlife encounters. Bwindi could be very cold especially in the morning & night. The annual mean temperatures range is 7°C to 20°C with the coldest months being June & July.Hence warm clothings are required, plus wet weather gear because Bwindi receives up to 2390mm of rain every year. This is centered on during 2 wet seasons, short rains in March- May & heavy rainfall in the months of September-November.In Bwindi, rain often falls as long hours of soft drizzle,instead of short tropical deluge. Bwindi is located in south-western Uganda, approximately 530km from Kampala. From several directions, the park can be reached by road.Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya)-Kihihi-Buhoma This route passes through the park’s southern Ishasha sector, offering a chance of a stopover to hunt for the famous tree-climbing lions. Bwindi is 64km from Ishasha and 160km from Mweya. Bwindi is the Bird watcher's paradise! It holds 348 species of birds and contains 90% of all Albertine rift Endemic such as; the Short-tailed Warbler, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruel's Rush Warbler, Wilcock's Honey-guide, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Crimson Wing, White-tailed Blue Monarch among others, difficult or impossible to see in any other part of EastAfrica. An experienced bird watcher can identify up to 100 species in a day! Visit Ruhija and Buhoma for this dream. Indicate your interest to the guide so that appropriate early morning departures can be arranged.
