Bwindi Forest National Park is fully recognized and registered as UNESCO World Heritage site. Bwindi Forest National Park was gazetted with a major aim of conserving the life of the endangered Mountain gorillas whose population was being threatened by the illegal poaching practices and hunting by the people who were completely surviving their life on the tropical rainforest.
Grab a chance to encounter with a diversity of majestic animal species that call the forest their wonderful home. Bwindi forest hosts over 130 mammal species, over 230 butter fly species, 350 bird species recorded and about 20 primates such as; the endangered, mountain gorillas, chimpanzees though rare, L’Hoest Monkeys, black and White colobus monkeys among others plus various trees and plant species.
Historical background
Initially, Bwindi impenetrable forest was divided into two different blocks that were known as Crown Forest Reserves. There was the northern block named as Kayonza Crown Forest reserve and the southern block named Kasatora Crown Forest reserve. However, in the year 1942, the forest reserved were combined to form one-unit forest reserve and renamed the Impenetrable Central Crown forest. this was the beginning point of its set up before it was gazetted and declared as a national park in the year 1992. In the 1964, the forest reserve was declared a sanctuary with a great aim of providing an extra conservation of the life of the endangered mountain gorilla species. Here it was renamed the impenetrable central forest reserve. With time other adjacent reserves became part of this main forest reserve thus an added advantage of increasing it total area to 321 square kilometers.
In the 1991 designated boundaries were drawn to separate it from Mgahinga Gorilla reserve and Mt Rwenzori reserve which as well became to be called national park and the main Reserve was renamed as Bwindi Forest National Park covering an area of about 330.8 square kilometers. Apparently, the national park protects a diversity of wildlife species but it is most notable with the mountain gorillas. However, with the increased efforts of conservation, the Batwa Pygmy people who were the indigenous tribe surviving their life in the forest were evicted from the forest and they are no longer allowed to enter the park and access any resources from the park.
The famous gorilla trekking experience was launched as a key tourism activity in the 1993 and ever since then, Uganda has been known as the best and leading top destination for the most affordable and safe gorilla safaris in Africa. The park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority which is a governmental body that is in charge of all the protected areas in Uganda.
Location of the Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park.
The paradise of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park lies on the edges of the great Rift Valley Region in south western Uganda covering the districts of Kabale, Kisoro and Kanungu respectively. The park is located along the boundaries DR-Congo adjacent to Virunga national park.
Climate
Bwindi Forest is a tropical rainforest that experiences a tropical climate with an annual average temperature range of 7-15 degrees Celsius minimum and a maximum of 20 – 27 degrees Celsius. It receives an annual rainfall of about 1400 to 1900 millimeters. The annual heavy rains are experienced in the month of march, April, may, late October to full end of November.
Tourist attractions and activities with in the park.
The famous Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has been divided into four sections such as; Buhoma sector in the North, Nkuringo in the South, the Rushaga sector in the South and Ruhija sector in the East. Here you encounter with a wide range of extremely interesting attractions situated in these sections such as; birding experience, Hiking, cultural experience, Mountain Biking as well as the great gorilla trekking experience available in all sectors of the park.
Mountain gorilla trekking
The park hosts over 500 gorillas surviving in the various sectors of the park. Apparently, there are about 18 habituated gorilla families open for gorilla tourism in the park. Gorilla trekking experience is the most interesting and key activity that has attracted a numerous number of visitors. For visitors to see to see the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest, you are required to get a gorilla trekking permit which is issued by the Uganda wildlife authority to allow you enter the park for gorilla experience.
The gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi forest remains at 700 USD per person even after the Covid19 situation. The fees paid is used to promote the conservation the mountain gorilla population with in the surrounding communities as well as to ensure the sustainable development of the tourism industry. The fees are inclusive of the park entry fees, an English-speaking guide service, a UWA Ranger guide to offer protection during trekking as well as the one hour spent with gorillas.
The UWA allows a maximum of 8 people to meet with gorilla family for only one hour. It is important to note that, gorilla trekking experience is limited to a person below 15 years of age as he/ she is considered to be a child note fit for the gorilla trekking experience. To get acquire a gorilla trekking permit, you can contact the UWA headquarter offices or go through a tour Operator like Mumwe Safari to assist you purchase a permit and arrange your gorilla safari experience with a 4×4 safari vehicle of favorite from our vehicle fleet.
Birding Watching experience
Hire car with us to and a rewarding birding experience in Bwindi forest national park. The park is one of the birders Haven with over 350 colorful bird species such as the sun bird, red tailed blue bill, short tailed Warbler, the attractive African Emerald cuckoo, white-tailed blue Flycatchers among others.
Hiking
Enjoy the hiking experience on your Uganda safari in Bwindi impenetrable Forest. This is a very fascinating activity that offers long lasting memories while on a forest walk allowing you to explore the park. Enjoy viewing beautiful and colorful birds as well as butterflies. You as well as meet with some primates such as; black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees. Buhoma sector is the best ideal region to enjoy hiking due to the existence of numerous trails like Rushura hill Walk, Muyanga waterfall trail, Buhoma-Nkuringo trail, the river trail, Muzubijiro as well as Habinyanja trail.
Cultural Experience
We can customize your gorilla trekking safari with a cultural encounter allowing you to experience the Batwa fascinating tribe of people as well as their culture. Enjoy the organized culture dances performed by the bantu to demonstrate their culture and behavioral patterns of life. A walk to the Batwa community allows you meet and greet with the local people as you learn more about their interesting culture.
Mountain Biking
Enjoy the rewarding biking with in and around the Bwindi Forest and this awesome experience is offered by one of the Women Organization known as Ride for Woman organization. With mountain biking get a chance to enjoy the scenic beauty of the forest and its wildlife thus offering you memorable experience in the pearl of Africa.
Accommodation options in Bwindi Impenetrable national park
There is a wide range of accommodation options where you can stay when you visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park. The accommodation option ranges from luxury, Midrange and budget options such as; Buhoma community lodge, Gorilla mist camp, Trekker’s Tavern Budget, chameleon Hill Lodge-Luxury option, Mahogany springs Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla camp among others.
It is important to note that the accommodation options are spread all over the park and each sector has got it accommodation option. We therefore advise travelers to book their accommodation close or with in the sector where you are going to enjoy your gorilla trekking experience. With out forgetting that the trekking begins with briefing early in morning about the dos and don’ts, thus when you slept far away from your trekking sector, you will end up missing out on briefing or find when people have already set for trekking Adventure.