Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famously known for the Mountain Gorillas!
History
The name Bwindi means the “Dark Place”. It was derived from one of the wetlands within the park called “Mubwindi”. The Wetland, decades ago was impassable due to water sources passing through the swamp covered in lush vegetation and forested areas that made it dark and scary to the locals.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was gazzeted in 1991 and covers an area of 321 square kilometers.
The park boasts of averagely 357 bird species, 120 Mammal species, 220 Butterfly species, 51 reptiles, 39 Amphibians and 163 tree species.
It inhabits the highest population of the world’s Mountain Gorillas, estimated at 49%. In the world, mountain gorilla population is slightly more than 1000 for which over 450 individuals’ dwell in the dense jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Location
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located at the extreme South Western part of Uganda, bordering Democratic Republic of Congo.
Being part of the Western Arm of the Great Rift Valley belt, it is a few Kilometers from the Virunga Volcanoes for which Volcano National Park of Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park of Uganda and Virunga National Park of Congo nestled.
Biodiversity
Gorillas.
The Park boasts of 24 Gorilla groups divided in 4 Gorilla trailheads. These are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone boasts of averagely 459 individuals which is almost half of the world’s left mountain Gorillas.
Birds.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 357 bird species with 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Some of the Rift Endemics are the Grauer’s Broadbill, Black Bee eater, Montane Oriole, Kivu ground thrush and Regal Sunbird among others.
Mammals.
The park inhabits 120 mammal species among those are 11 primate species including Gorillas and Chimpanzees, Forest Elephants, antelopes and many others.
Elevation
The Park stands at an elevation of 1500 to 2400 meters above Sea Level.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by both air and road transport.
By road from Entebbe to different trailheads of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it is 505 Kilometers to Rushaga trailhead via Masaka-Mbarara road and Mbarara-Kabale road, 523 Kilometers to Nkuringo, 468 kilometers to Buhoma and 338 kilometers to Ruhija.
By road from Kigali International Airport. It is 201 kilometers to Buhoma trailhead, 173 kilometers to Nkuringo, 159 kilometers to Ruhija and 174 Kilometers to Rushaga.
By Air. it is an hour flight to Kihihi Airfield then drive 45 kilometers to the park.
Best time to travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The dry season is the best time to trek Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. During the wet season, the terrain is slippery hence making it difficult to hike through the forest.
The dry season months are January, February, June, July, August and September while the wet seasons are March, April, May, October, November and December.
Closest towns to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The nearby towns that you could get bank services and other personal necessities are Kihihi and Rukungiri for those trekking in Buhoma, Kabale is for the one’s driving to Ruhija, Kisoro for those heading to Nkuringo and Rushaga.
What to wear during Gorilla trekking
You are highly advised to put on Trousers, long sleeved shirts or blouse, closed shoes, hat, gaiters and gloves. All must be in nature blending colors.
Apply insect repellent before Gorilla trekking.
Cost of Gorilla Permits
Gorilla permit fees are 800 United States Dollars for Foreign Non-Residents, 700 United States Dollars for Foreign Residents and 300,000 Uganda Shillings for East Africans. However, prices are subjected to change depending on Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘s annual Park fees review.
How to get Gorilla Permits
Permits are purchased from Uganda Wildlife Authority who are in charge of all Uganda National Parks. Their Headquarters are located in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb. It is highly recommended that you buy one, months prior the tracking date. This is because of their high demand. Permits can be purchased through the local tour operators to avoid inconveniences.
Where to stay while in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are distributed in 4 trailheads and categorized as Budget, Mid-range and Luxury accommodation.
Buhoma Trailhead.
Buhoma was the first Gorilla trekking trailhead with Mubare Group in 1993 before the rest were introduced. Being the first Gorilla trekking trailhead, all categories of accommodation are available and more than the rest of the trailheads. Buhoma has 7 Gorilla trekking families.
Luxury Accommodation
- Gorilla forest Lodge
- Buhoma Lodge
- Silverback Lodge
- Bwindi Lodge
- Engagi Lodge
- Trackers Safari Lodge
- Mahogany Springs Lodge
Mid-Range Accommodation
Budget Accommodation
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Gorilla Bluff Lodge
- Ruhondeza Lodge and Campsite
- Gorilla Conservation Camp
Ruhija Trailhead.
It is Located in the Eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National. It can be accessed either from Kabale-Kisoro Road, 25 Kilometers from Kabale town then branch off on a dirt road where there is a big signage showing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Ruhija has four Habituated Gorilla trekking families.
Accommodation in Ruhija is majorly midrange and budget.
Mid-range Accommodation
Budget Accommodation
Rushaga trailhead.
Rushaga Trailhead is located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kisoro district. It is neighboring the Eastern Part of Democratic republic of Congo.
Rushaga Trailhead has the highest number of Gorilla families for which two are under habituation and eight already habituated for Gorilla trekking. In total there are ten Gorilla families.
Rushaga trailhead can be accessed by road or air.
By Air. A domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip takes one and a half hours and transfer by road for an hour to Rushaga trailhead.
By Road. From Entebbe to Rushaga by road is 505 Kilometers
Places to stay when in Rushaga are categorized as follows;
Luxury Accommodation
Mid-range Accommodation
Budget Accommodation
Nkuringo Trailhead
Nkuringo trailhead is at the extreme south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kisoro District, closely Neighboring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
There are 3 trekking Gorilla families in Nkuringo Trailhead.
Accommodation in Nkuringo Trailhead is as follows;
Luxury Accommodation
Mid-range Accommodation
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