Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 1,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects the most notably rare and unforgettable mountain Gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked.
Bwindi is the Bird watchers haven! It holds 348 species of birds and contains 90% of all Albertine rift species like; the Short-tailed Warbler, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruer’s Rush Warbler, Wilcock’s Honey-guide, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Crimson Wing, White-tailed Blue Monarch among others, difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.
An experienced bird watcher can identify up to 100 species in a day! Visit Ruhija and Buhoma sectors for this dream. Indicate your interest to the guide so that appropriate early morning departures can be arranged.
On the flora part, the park is among the most diverse forests in East Africa with more than 1000 flowering plant species plus 200 species of trees and 100 species of ferns. Therefore, it shares high levels of endemism of the Albertine rift.
In addition, Bwindi is notable for half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas. There are different gorilla groups that live in 4 different sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo all under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority which is a parastatal government body.
Gorilla trekking became a tourist activity in April 1993 which has made the park a popular tourist destination. In 1994, the park was inscribed into the world Heritage list because of its ecological importance. The park has an elevation range from 1,190m to 2,600m (3,900ft to 8,500ft) above sea level. However, over 50% of the park is over 2,000meters (6,600ft) above sea level with the highest at the eastern side of the park and the lowest at the northern tip of the park.
Bwindi has a tropical climate with annual mean temperature ranges from minimum of 7 C to 15 C (45 F to 59 F) to maximum of 20 C to 27 C(68 F to 81 F). The peak rainfall occurs from March to April and September to November. Thus, the park plays an important role in regulating the surrounding area’s climate with high amounts of evapotranspiration from the forest’s vegetation that increases the precipitation of the area outside the park.
Other highlights include nature walks which are normally along the river, bamboo and other trails. With these,you have opportunities to see and learn about primates, many species of birds, butterflies, trees, and other organisms.
The neighboring towns of Buhoma and Nkuringo both have an impressive array of luxury lodges, rustic bandas and budget campsites, as well as restaurants, craft stalls and guiding services. Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops and village walks. Though the majority of the people are Bakiga and Bafumbira.
Since it’s a hilly area and at a higher altitude, its normally coldThe rain pattern is heaviest between March- April and September- November. This leaves the other months dry.
