Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, strategically located on the edge of the steep ridges of the Albertina Rift Valley, South Western Uganda and was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is the main attraction. Bwindi actually means impenetrable!
Bwindi covers around 331 square kilometres on an Altitude Range of from 1,160 to 2,607 m. The annual temperatures range from 7◦C to 20◦C and with the coldest period being June and July receiving up to 2390 mm of rainfall per annum. The national park holds 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black-and-white Colobus, with its flowing white tail, is the most prominent
Bwindi is the Bird watcher’s destiny! With over 348 species of birds and contains 90% of all Albertine rift Endemic such as; the Kivu Ground Thrush, Wil cock’s Honey-guide, White-tailed Blue Monarch, Short-tailed Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruel’s Rush Warbler, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Dusky Crimson Wing, to mention but a few of which some cannot be found in any other part of East Africa. A visit to Ruhija will make your dream come true.
Bwindi supports tremendous biodiversity, including 310 species of Butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths and an exceptional 120 types of mammals including Primates. The Latter includes Chimpanzees, red-tailed and blue monkeys, black and white colobus, baboons and Bwindi’s most famous resident, the Mountain gorillas.
“IT’S A WONDERFUL DESTINATION,
NATURE WALKS
Tourist who has 2 or 3 days in Bwindi Impenetrable Park has a chance to hike the trails. While on these trails, you hold the opportunity to see and learn about primates, many species of birds, butterflies, trees, and other organisms. Arrangements are very possible at the reception for a guide. Our guide is obligatory and yet affords you an excellent understanding of nature’s system in the park.
View of buildings on the coast of tropical island San Andres y Providencia
THE MUNYANGA RIVER TRAIL
It is an adventurous short walk trail for visitors with little time to spare. Here you can see lots of bird species and primates along the forest edge forest. The Munyanga waterfall trail provides an attractive feature of the forest, epithetic ferns, orchids, and Bwindi’s colourful and bright array of butterflies. The trail takes you to 3 delightful, crystal-clear waterfalls, typifying your impression of a tropical rainforest.
THE RUSHURRA TRAIL
With expansive views across the western rift valley floor. To the west, Congo’s Parc Nationale des Virunga.
THE MUZABAJIRRO TRAIL
This offers breathtaking views of Bwindi Forest. Western Rift Valley and the Virungas. On the way, you witness a number of pre-historic tree fern species.
THE RUIZI RIVER TRAIL
The longest trail in the park will occupy you for a full day. It is highly recommended and preferred for bird watchers.
RIVER IVI TRAIL
This follows an old road through a beautiful forest emerging near Nkuringo on the Southern edge of the forest. This is highly recommended for bird Watchers.
CULTURAL / COMMUNITY WALK
The local community operates a community/ cultural walk that visits the traditional healers, rural homesteads, blacksmiths, and brewers.
CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
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.
“DISNEY KNOWS CHILDREN, SO IT’S NO WONDER THAT THEY FEEL AT HOME ON CASTAWAY CAY”
ACCESSING BWINDI
Bwindi lies in South Western Uganda, about 530km from Kampala. The park can be accessed by road from several
From Kampala to Kabale via Masaka and Mbarara is a stretch of 414 kms on a tarmac surface and takes you 6-7 hours. An additional 120 kms from Kabale to Buhoma, the Park Headquarters via Kanungu and Kanyantoorogo on Murram surface takes 3-4 hours.
Kampala – Ntugamo – Rukungiri – Kihihi – Buhoma. This is the quickest and most direct route from Kampala; follow the tarmac road from Rukungiri 390km followed by 82km on murram roads to Buhoma.
Bwindi can also be reached from Queen Elizabeth National Park in the north (2-3 hours), from Kabale to the south (1-2 hours), or from Kampala via Mbarara (6-8 hours). The roads meet at Butogota, 17 km from the Buhoma entrance gate. A 4WD vehicle is recommended during the heavy rains
By Air: Of Recently, Aeolink Uganda operates scheduled flights to Kihihi airstrip, x2 daily flights making it much easier to reach Bwindi in only 2 hours than by road spending over 9 hours.
Street in Key West
ACCOMMODATION
A variety of choices to cater for your accommodation needs is readily available, ranging from upmarket tented camps and lodges to budget markets. Sanctuaries Lodges and retreats operate a luxury-tented accommodation known as Gorilla Forest Camp. Volcano Bwindi camp, Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Lake Kitandara Bwindi camp. Mantana luxury tented camp also provides fully furnished luxury tented accommodation. Of recent new high-end accommodations have opened up such as the Ruhija View Gorilla Lodge and Engagi Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Camp, Wagtail Eco Camp and Chameleon Hill-African NEW Architectural Statement with a quality service range.
Camping in Bwindi is not recommended due to cold conditions and excessive rains
The Local community operates a rest camp with clean, good food and very safe simple Bandas. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available