Explore Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park on our customized Uganda gorilla trekking tours with Superfine Safaris. Located in south western Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a premier safari destination visited by most travelers n Uganda safaris. According to the Uganda Tourism statistics, over 60% of travelers to Uganda include gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest in their itinerary
Sheltering half of the world’s mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is an exceptional travel destination, a must-visit national park on your Uganda gorilla tour. The impenetrable forest is located in southwestern Uganda shared in Kabale and Rubanda districts on the edge of the Albertine rift covering a total land area of 331 square kilometers.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest comprise of montane and lowland forests which serve as food and habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas and other animals and birds dwelling there. The Impenetrable Forest is one of the UNESCO heritage sites due to its rich diversity and ecosystem.
The wildlife i Bwindi Forest National park include over 500 mountain gorillas, 120 mammal species, 221 butterflies, 27 frog species, 349 bird species, and many other animals, which include geckos, moths and chameleons among others. Regarding plants, Bwindi forest comprises of over 104 fern species, 163 tree species and over 1000 flowering plants which give food and shelter for the animals living in this impenetrable forest.
All About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park
History of Bwindi Forest National park
The current Bwindi Forest National park was initially called crown forest reserve which was designated in 1932. The forest was divided into two blocks i.e Kayonza block in the north and Kasatora block in the south. The two blocks were later joined in 1942 and transformed into an animal sanctuary in 1962 majorly for the endangered mountain gorillas.
Its name was changed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest reserve under the management of the Uganda government’s Gama and Forest Departments. In 1991, Bwindi forest along with the sister Mgahinga forest national park were designated into national parks hence regaining their current names of Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. At this time, the Batwa pygmies who were living in the forest were evicted from the parks and resettled in communities neighboring the forest.
Attractions in Bwindi Forest National park
Mountain gorillas are a major tourist attraction in Bwindi Forest National park. The rain forest is home to over 500 mountain gorillas, which make gorilla trekking the top tourist activity in this park. Gorillas in Bwindi Forest have been habituated into 21 gorilla families namely. The list of gorilla families/groups in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include:
- Mubare gorilla family
- Habinyanja gorilla family
- Rushegura gorilla family
- Kyaguliro Gorilla family
- Nkuringo Gorilla family
- Bweza Gorilla family
- Nshongi Gorilla family
- Oruzogo Gorilla Family
- Katwe Gorilla family
- Christmas Gorilla family
- Kahungye gorilla family
- Busingye Gorilla family
- Mishaya Gorilla Family
- Bitukura Gorilla family
- Bushaho Gorilla family
- Bikyingi Gorilla Family
Activities in Bwindi Forest National park
Bwindi Forest offers travelers a variety of tourist activities for a memorable experience.
Mountain Gorilla trekking
Treks to see the endangered gorillas are the highlight of tourist activities in Bwindi Forest National park. Over 99% of travelers to Bwindi Forest come to trek gorillas hence the top bucket list of all travelers to southwestern Uganda.
Batwa community visits
Cultural visits to the batwa communities is yet another interesting tourist activity in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park. Here travelers are guided to batwa villages adjacent to Bwindi Forest for a cultural performance . Travelers are introduced to the natural forest life of Batwa ad how they lived in harmony with wild animals for thousands of years.
Nature/Forest Walks
Nature/Forest walking is a not miss on your Uganda gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest National park. Walking through Bwindi forest on foot is the best way to explore and enjoy the beauty of this natural forest. Different walking trails lead to different tourist spots such as to the waterfalls. Nature walks also give you a chance to meet other wild animals especially different monkey species in this jungle forest.
Bird watching
For birders, Bwindi Forest National park is the best spot for bird watching. The rain forest is home to over 350 bird species some of which are endemic to this area. Birds on Bwindi Forest National Park include African green broadbill, Short-tailed warbler, African Emerald Cuckoo, Blue-headed sunbird, Red-headed bluebill, Shelley’s Crimson Wing among others.
Water/ River Fall hiking
Waterfall hiking is another interesting adventure done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. The experience entail hiking up to different waterfalls found in different corners of the jungle forests. Some of the commonly hied waterfalls in Bwindi Forest include Munyanga river fall, Kashaha river falls, Ivy river falls and Ntengere River falls among others. Hiking to the rivers/waterfalls offers you a fresh feeling of the natural environment and an opportunity to encounter wild animals, birds and ground animals.
Gorilla sectors in Bwindi Forest
Bwindi forest National park is made up of four sectors/regions. These are Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Nkuringo and Rushga in the southern region of the national park. Each sector is unique in its own kind in terms of location, accessibility and gorilla families. Buhoma sector is easily accessed through Kabale katuna while Rushaga is easily accessed through Kisoro district. Travelers doing Kigali to Bwindi Gorilla trekking are cross through Cyanika border to Rushaga or Katuna border to Buhoma sector in the northern region of Bwindi Forest National Park.
How to get to Bwindi Forest National Park?
Bwindi Forest National park can be accessed by road and air transport. The driving time from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi forest is roughly 9 hours which is a full day driving while Kigali to Bwindi driving time is roughly 4 hours hence the easiest. Travelers who want to do a 1-Day Uganda gorilla tour are advised to fly into Kigali Rwanda and cross to trek gorillas in Bwindi Uganda.
Alternatively, you can fly from Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips in Kabale and kisoro districts respectively from where you are driven to the respective gorilla sector in Bwindi. Travelers doing a 1Day Uganda gorilla tour from Rwanda setoff from Kigali at 3 am, to catch up with a pre gorilla trekking briefing in Bwindi at 7:00 am.
About gorilla permits in Bwindi
All travelers trekking gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park are required to have valid gorilla permits as a pass to see these endangered species. A single gorilla permit in Bwindi costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 for East African residents. Uganda gorilla permits can be booked directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through Superfine Safaris your ultimate gorilla safari company. Also, travelers are advised to book and pay for permits at least 6 months before the trekking date to avoid last-minute disappointments.
Where to Sleep in Bwindi Forest National Park
Travelers to Bwindi Forest have an endless list of lodges and camps to stay in during their Uganda gorilla safari to Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park. Both budget, midrange and luxury lodges have been constructed in Bwindi to serve travelers with excellent food and sleeping services ensuring a safe, comfortable and peaceful stay in this natural forest.
The top lodges in Bwindi Forest include Buhoma gorilla lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Agandi Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma community Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge and Nkuringo Bwindi lodge among others. These lodges serve you with first-class food and sleeping services at all times of the day and night. Also, these lodges arrange activities such as Batwa community walks and forest walks to make your gorilla safari a complete package. Magical Africa Safaris helps you book accommodation services in Bwindi Forest.
Other Common asked questions bout Bwindi Forest National park
What is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park famous for?
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is famous for sheltering the highest population of the world’s mountain gorillas. The park is home to half of the total gorilla population in the world. Its the prime gorilla safari destination which a high number of gorilla permits which give chance to many travelers to see gorillas. The other kind of gorilla encounter in Bwindi Forest is the experimental gorilla habituation experience in which travelers take part in the taming of wild gorillas to make them familiar with people. Gorilla habituation experience is done in Rusha sector south of Bwindi Forest National park.
What is the main tourist attraction in Bwindi game park?
Mountain gorillas are the main tourist attraction in Bwindi Forest. Over 99% of all travelers to Bwindi Forest are interested in gorilla trekking adventure. An encounter with the gorillas is the top bucket list for all travelers visiting this Impenetrable Forest National park. In addition to seeing the gorillas, travelers to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park can take part in other travel experiences such as bird watching, Batwa community tours, nature walks and waterfall hiking among others to make a complete Bwindi Forest Package
What animals live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park
The animals that live in Bwindi Forest include mountain gorillas, Forest Elephants, Bush pigs, Forest Hogs, Yellow backed duiker, Civets and side striped jackals among others.
How many gorillas are in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?
There are roughly 500 mountain gorillas habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. These live in 21 families split in the four gorilla regions/sectors which make up Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park.
Top Selling Bwindi Gorilla Packages
Book any one of the top selling Bwindi Gorilla safari packages customized and guided by Superfine Safaris Limited. these include
1 Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking ( This starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda)
2 Days Bwindi Gorilla trek (Also starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda)
3 Days gorilla habituation experience
4 Days Double gorilla safari (Entails trekking in Bwindi Forest Uganda & Volcanoes Park Rwanda)
In general, Bwindi Forest National Park offers on your Uganda safari to meet, satisfy and exceed your travel expectations. Contact Superfine Safaris , today, Book your gorilla trip to Bwindi forest and enjoy a stay in this impenetrable natural forest.
