BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
The mountain rainforest of Bwindi Forest, together with the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, is the most important area for gorilla trekking. The relatively small nature reserve is home to almost half of all mountain gorillas living in the wild. The mountain gorillas are critically endangered due to poaching, habitat loss, and disease. In addition to the mountain gorillas, there are a total of 120 species of mammals and 350 species of birds.
The park is about an 8-9 hour drive from Entebbe and Kisoro can be reached in one hour from Entebbe with a domestic flight. Bwindi is often scheduled on a tour of Uganda and it is one of the absolute highlights of a tour through Uganda to come face to face with the mountain gorillas.
ACTIVITIES IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
Gorilla Tracking
A gorilla tracking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a lifetime dream for almost every traveler and has been dubbed by some as the best wildlife experience on earth. Coming face to face with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, seeing the sheer might yet gentleness of the silverbacks and the playful nature of the juveniles and infants is an unforgettable experience.
Community Visits
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is neighboured by the Bakiga and Batwa people, both a fascinating group of people with unique traditions. Cultural tours can mean anything from visiting the local ironsmith, a visit to a crafts village, a trip to the traditional leader whose expertise is in prescriptions that have healed the people of the land for centuries, a visit to the local women’s group to learn about how gorilla tourism impacts on their lives and you can also participate in one of the traditional dances or skits.
Forest/Nature Walk
Guided nature walks in Bwindi lead to some of the park’s still streams and stunning waterfalls and along the way, tourists can bask in the richness of the biodiversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Butterfly species and other invertebrates, birds, primates, and vegetation can also be sighted.
Birding
With over 351 bird species, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a favorite spot for birders and boasts at least 23 Albertine rift endemics. Birding in Bwindi is not only exciting for the unique bird species present but is also rewarding in the form of diversity that can be identified on a single day’s escapade. Birding trips are led by one of our expert ranger guides along the trails through this ancient forest. Tourists may be lucky to spot some of the park’s other wildlife and this is what makes Bwindi and Uganda’s birding safaris even more interesting.