Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of Uganda’s top tourist attractions and offers one of the world’s most incredible wildlife experiences: tracking mountain gorillas. This remote forest, located in the southwest of Uganda, is home to these magnificent creatures, which are both rare and endangered. There are fewer than 800 mountain gorillas left in the world, and they are divided between Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the nearby Virunga volcanoes. With fifteen groups of gorillas that have been habituated for tourism, Bwindi is the best place in the world to track mountain gorillas.

The forest itself is ancient, dating back around 25,000 years, and covers a wide range of altitudes from 1,160 meters to 2,607 meters above sea level. This range of altitudes, combined with the forest’s great age, has allowed a remarkable variety of plants and animals to thrive here. In fact, the park is home to 310 species of butterflies, 88 species of moths, 200 different types of trees, 51 species of reptiles, and 120 species of mammals. Among the mammals, several types of primates can be found, including chimpanzees, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and, of course, the mountain gorillas.

Birdwatchers will also find Bwindi a paradise, with 357 species of birds recorded in the park. This includes 23 species that are only found in the Albertine Rift region, such as the short-tailed warbler, Shelley’s crimson wing, African green broadbill, and blue-headed sunbird. Additionally, seven species found here are listed on the IUCN Red Data List as threatened. To protect this incredible biodiversity, Bwindi was declared a national park in 1991 and was named a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in 1994.

Attractions & Activities in Bwindi Forest National Park

MOUNTAIN GORILLA TRACKING

The highlight of any visit to Bwindi is the chance to spend a magical hour with a family of mountain gorillas. Tracking these gorillas can take a few hours or even an entire day, depending on how far the gorilla group has moved since they were last seen nesting the previous evening. There are fifteen gorilla groups in Bwindi that tourists can track, starting from different points in the park, including Buhoma in the northwest, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Once you reach the gorillas, you are allowed to spend one hour with them. To participate in gorilla tracking, you must be at least 15 years old.

BIRDING

Bwindi offers excellent birdwatching opportunities at all four of its main trailheads. You can spot many rare forest birds along these trails. The River Ivi Trail, which runs between Buhoma and Nkuringo, is particularly recommended for birdwatching. Other good spots include the Munyanga River Trail at the edge of Buhoma’s forest, as well as the Bamboo Trail at Ruhija, which leads up to Rwamunyoni peak at 2,607 meters. Another popular spot is the Mubwindi Swamp Trail. These trails are especially good for spotting the Albertine Rift endemic birds, such as the green broadbill.

NATURE WALKS

While gorilla tracking is the main reason people visit Bwindi, there are also other walks in the park that offer a more relaxed way to explore Uganda’s beautiful rainforest. There are trails that lead to scenic waterfalls and climb up to viewpoints with breathtaking views of the forest, the Albertine Rift valley, and the Virunga volcanoes. These nature walks provide a peaceful way to enjoy the park’s natural beauty.

COMMUNITY WALKS

For those interested in learning about the local culture, community walks are available through villages on the edge of the forest. These walks give visitors a chance to meet and learn about the lives of the local Batwa (Pygmy) and Bakiga people. The Batwa are the original inhabitants of the forest and have a deep connection with it, while the Bakiga are agriculturalists who have settled in the area more recently. These community walks provide valuable insights into the way of life of these two groups and their relationship with the forest.