Bwindi impenetrable national park hosts the greatest Uganda’s tourist attraction known as mountain gorillas. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley near Mgahinga National park. It is amazing that, this Bwindi impenetrable national park protects an estimated 500 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked.
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as forest elephants and forest antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
The neighboring towns of Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo both have an impressive array of luxury lodges, rustic bandas and budget campsites, as well as restaurants, craft stalls and guiding services. Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops and village walks.
Gorilla groups in Bwindi impenetrable National Park
The Mountain Gorillas are undoubtedly Bwindi’s major tourist attraction, where they have been habituated since April 1993. There are now four different sectors that can be visited, and each sector has its own habituated gorilla groups as below;
A maximum of eight permits per day are sold to visit each gorilla group. Gorilla Tracking can be physically demanding, so go prepared. The Gorilla Rules prepare you for the activity and guide you on conservation of the Mountain Gorillas. Please read the Gorilla Rules before your trip.
Along side gorillas, birds are also found in the impenetrable forest, it holds 348 species of birds like the Short-tailed Warbler, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruer’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 East Africa.
- The Munyanga River
Is an ideal short walk for visitors with little time to spare. Here you can see birds and primates of the forest edge. The popular waterfall trail provides an attractive feature of the forest with a profusion of tree ferns, epithetic ferns, orchids and Bwindi’s colourful array of butterflies. This trail which leads to 3 delightful crystal clear waterfalls typifies your impression of a tropical rain forest.
- The Rushurra
Commands expensive views across the western rift valley floor. To the west, Congo’s Parc Nationale des Virungas provides a spectacular backdrop, and on clear Das Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountain are visible.
- The Muzabajirro Trail
Offer breath taking views of Bwindi Forest. Western Rift Valley and the Virungas. On the way, you witness hundreds of pre-historic tree ferns. The top of this trail is a great place for a picnic lunch.
- The Ruizi river Trail
- The bamboo Trail
The Bamboo trail offers 14 vegetation types and is one of the areas of highest diversity in the park. At the top of this trail, you witness panoramic views encompassing Lake Bunyonyi and Mafuga Forest.
- Cultural Performance
In the evenings, participate in captivating traditional performances presented by Women’s groups. Proceeds from these go directly to improve the welfare of families around the park.
Accommodation
There are a number of accommodations in Bwindi impenetrable National park for different sectors as below;
Buhoma Sector Lodges & Campsites:
– Mahogany springs lodge
– Gorilla Resort
– Buhoma Lodge
– Gorilla Sanctaury (Gorilla Forest Camp)
– Silverback Lodge
– Trackers Safari Lodge
– Buhoma community Rest Camp / Haven Lodge
– Bwindi Safari Lodge
– Bwindi View Bandas
Ruhija Sector Lodges & Campsites
– Gift of Nature Lodge
– Ruhija Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
– Trekkers Tarvan
– Ruhija Community Rest Camp
– Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort Campsite
– Gorilla Mist Camp
– Bakiga Lodge
– Broad Bill Forest Camp
Rushaga Sector Lodges & Campsites:
– Rushaga Gorilla Camp
– Ichumbi Gorilla Camp
– Wagtail Eco Camp
– Chameleon Hill Lodge
– Lake Mutanda Resort
– Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Camp
– Nsongi Gorilla Resort
– Gorilla safari lodge
– Bwindi Jungle Lodge