Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

The Bwindi Impenetrable Jungle National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the other side of this border is the Virunga National Park. It was created in 1991.

The park occupies more than 32,092 hectares of jungle, both mountain, and lowland. And it is only accessible on foot. It was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1994.

It is a refuge for colobus, chimpanzee and many bird species. Its 300 mountain gorillas stand out, half of the world’s population of this endangered species. There are 3 groups of gorillas used to human presence, called Mubare, Katendegyere, and Rushegura. The Mubare is the most sociable.

It is one of the richest ecosystems in Africa. It houses about 120 species of mammals, 346 of birds, 202 of butterflies, 163 of trees, 100 of ferns, 27 of amphibians and reptiles, and many threatened species. It shares the high levels of endemism of the montane jungle of the Albertina fault.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park designated as a reserve in 1942, being upgraded to the National Park category in 1991 and finally recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1994.

In the local Bwindi language, it means just impenetrable. The Park, although it is true that it is difficult to access and is covered by a dense rainforest that is located between high cliffs and narrow valleys. It is feasible and although it requires some effort, expert guides take visitors to reach their Goal.

Find the specimens of the few High Mountain Gorillas that dwell in this place and are in danger of extinction. This memorable encounter is one of the greatest perks that one can experience as a visitor. Bwindi can become quite cold especially in the morning and at sunset, its temperature can vary from 7° C – 20° C being its coldest months June and July.

It is advisable to wear warm and waterproof clothes since Bwindi usually receives a lot of rain during the year. Mostly the times of greatest rainfall are those between March and May and then between September and November.

Today, this site is the most anticipated by all. The encounter with the rare Mountain Gorillas that constitutes, for the vast majority of Uganda’s visitors, their main reason for the trip.

Things to do:

– Gorilla tracking

– Cultural encounters

– Buniga forest walk

– Hiking through forest

– Birding

– Mountain bike rides

What are the attractions?

– King Coffee

– Bwindi Impenetrable forest

– Wildlife safari

– African pearl safaris

– Batwa experience

How to access the place?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be reached from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the north part just 2 to 3 hours drive from Kampala through Mbarara about 6 to 8 hrs drive or you can also reach from Kabale town to the south just 1 to 2 hrs. Then these roads join at Butogota which is just 17 km from the Buhoma entrance gate.

Best time to visit:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is open all year round. However, the best time to visit is from June to August and from December to February. Since it is less rain during this period so forest trails are not slippery and impassable.