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Bwindi Impentrable National Park
Discover Bwindi Impentrable National Park
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Background
Situated in the southwestern part of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most spectacular National parks in Uganda due to its incredible biodiversity. This park lies at the edge of the western rift valley covering an area of about 331 square kilometres and surrounded by Kabale, Rukungiri and Kisoro districts. The park was established in 1992 mainly to offer refuge to over 400 endangered mountain gorillas that thrive within its thick jungles and represent approximately half of all the population in the world today.
This conservation area boasts a number of unique mammal species that include over 11 primate namely; the black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons. It also a habitat for around 27 frog species, 30 elephants, and not to forget over 360 bird-species. Of these bird spices, 23 can’t be spotted anywhere else in country (the notable birds include the African green broadbill, brown necked parrot, white tailed blue flycatcher and frazers eagle owl); 324 distinct species of trees with about 10 of them that you won’t see anywhere in Uganda (its afro montane forest features thick under storey of vines, shrubs, and ferns), 200 butterflies with 8 of them that are endemic to the Albertine rift and others.
Weather
Bwindi National Park receives an annual average temperature range of 7 to 20 degrees Celsius with its coldest period falling between June and July while heavy rains are experienced from March to May and from mid-October to November.
Best Time to Visit
Whereas Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is considered to be an all year-round safari destination, intending visitors can best explore it during the dry season that takes place from June to September and from December to February. However, you can also pay a visit during the wet season which usually starts from March to May and October to November.
Highlights of Bwindi Impentarble National Park
Activities
1.Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park
Mountain gorilla adventures feature among the main highlight for most safaris in Bwindi National Park. About 400 individuals of these rare primates thrive within the jungles of Bwindi and there are over 14 gorilla families that have been habituated for visitors to track each day. These include the Mubare family that features as the oldest group in the Bwindi and the first to be officially opened for visitation by tourists. Others include Habinyanja, Rushegura, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Kahungye, Busingye, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Bweza, Mishaya, Mukiza, Kyaguriro and others.
For lifetime experiences with these apes, there are 4 main tracking trails where the usual treks start from and they include Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija sector. One habituated gorilla family is assigned to only 8 visitors to track each day. Due to high demand, you are required to book for your permit in advance to avoid any kind of disappointment.
2.Birding in Bwindi Forest National Park
With over 360 bird species, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is undeniably one of the birders paradise. While on your birding adventure, you will have a chance to spot most of the bird species like the African green broadbill, yellow eyed black fly catcher, short tailed warbler, rusty faced woodland warbler, bar tailed trogon, wilcock’s honey guide, Gruer’s rush warbler, dusky crimson wing, kivu ground thrush, white tailed blue monarch and many more.
3.Nature walks
Bwindi National Park features a number of hiking trails and each of them rewards visitors with rare tourist attractions. Visitors on nature walk along the park have opportunity to spot out most the primates, birds, butterflies, tree species and others. Hiking adventures in Bwindi take visitors through the River Munyanga walk, Rushura walk, the bamboo trail walk, Ivy River walk, Muzabajiro trail, Ruizi river trail and others.
4. Cultural encounters
After your breathtaking mountain gorilla adventure, you can embark on cultural encounters in the nearest local communities to enjoy the most thrilling traditional and cultural performances that will be presented by women’s group especially by the Batwa pygmies.
