Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a magical place of mists, hanging mosses and luxuriant vegetation. It is a real rain montane forest that spreads across valleys and over a range steep ridges forming the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift. It is among the most biologically most productive forests in Africa.

Eastern Gorilla Trekking is the significant tourist activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Pioneer gorilla tracking place in Uganda has nineteen habituated Gorilla families as of July 2019, and they keep growing. The famous families include Kyaguriro, Rushegura, Mishaya, Mubare, Habinyanja, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Bitukura, Nyakagezi and Christmas.

Gorilla-Trekking-Uganda — **Eastern (Mountian) Gorilla**

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the only forest in the world where Eastern Gorillas, Common Chimpanzee and Humans do occur in one forest. This has earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Site badger. There is no other forest were Chimps and Easter Gorillas cohabit.

To be sure of going gorilla tracking, it is wise buying the trekking permit ahead. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which is the public conservation body, is responsible for issuing each permit at USD 700 only. Only eight tourists are allowed to visit a group per day, and this minimises behavioural disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.

WILD INTENSE recommends booking Gorilla Tracking permits as early as possible. We advise you to book at least three months in advance to ensure tracking on the desired dates and the monitoring of simpler families.

**WILD INTENSE photo showing boundary Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Community Cultivation lands**

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Rules

• No one with the infectious disease for example flu, diarrhoea is allowed to enter the park

• Stay together in a tight group while with the gorillas, do not surround them

• Do not use flashes while photographing

• Do not eat or smoke when with the gorillas

• Turn away from the gorillas if you have to sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose in the process

• Bury all human faeces a minimum of one foot deep and ensure that the hole is adequately covered.

• Do not leave litter. All litter must be carried out of the park and disposed of properly.

• The activity is for 15 years and over

• Do not make a loud noise or move suddenly

• You are allowed a maximum of 1 hour with gorillas

• Do not spit on vegetation or soil while in the park. Use your hankie or other garments.

Bwindi Forest Mammals Animals — **Black-fronted Duiker**

Birding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda

Africa’s number one birding spot boosts of a 360 bird species record with 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift endemics among which include the globally threatened species such as the African Green Broadbill and the Shelley’s Crimsonwing. The Albertine Rift endemics include; Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Dusky Crimson-wing, Strange Weaver, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Purple -breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Short-tailed/Neumann’s Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Collared Apalis, Montane Masked Apalis, Kivu Ground Thrush, Red-throated Alethe, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Nightjar, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin.

Other notable species include; Wood Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Evergreen Warbler, Turner’s Eremomela, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Buff-throated Apalis, African Pitta, Cabanis’s Greenbul, Cardinal Woodpecker, Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Cassin’s Honeybird, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Collared Sunbird, Common Bulbul and many more forest species.

The pristine rainforests of this park are home to approximately 300 species of butterfly including two endangered species of swallowtails, a sounding number of reptile species and amphibians including one frog species which is new to science.

Uganda Scenery Photos — **Sunny mornings in November and December have fantastic views. The Virunga volcanoes are in the distance**

There are 120 species of mammals including seven diurnal primates and about 30 Forest Elephants

This afro-montane forest has dense understorey of fern, vines, shrubs. About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10 of which occur nowhere else in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Nature Walks

For a visitor who has 2 or 3 days in Bwindi, the park has four fantastic hiking trails. On all these trails, you have opportunities to see and learn about primates, many species of birds, butterflies, trees, and other organisms. Arrange at the reception for a guide. The guide’s company is obligatory and yet affords you an excellent understanding of nature’s system at work in the park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Cultural Performances

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.

Local People: Bakiga and Bafumbira all from the “Ntu” ethnic group, constituting the densest settlements in Uganda, (233 people/ square kilometres).

Albertine Rift Virunga Ranges Volcanoes — **One of our groups stops in the park to enjoy breath-taking views of the Virunga ranges**

Size: 331 sq km
District: Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro
Geographical location: South Western Uganda on the Edge of the Western Rift Valley.
Altitude: 1,160 – 2,607 metres above sea level
Rainfall Pattern: Heaviest rains experienced in March – April and September – November. Other months are generally dry.
Distance from Kampala: 540 km. estimated transit time: 8-10 hours