Where is Bwindi impenetrable forest national park located in Africa?

Where is Bwindi impenetrable forest national park located in Africa? Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in Uganda in districts of Kanungu, Kabale, and Kisoro in the southwestern part of Uganda. The park is one of those that are lucky to be harboring mountain gorillas and in Bwindi we find more than a half of the mountain gorilla population left surviving in the whole world. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park covers a total area of 321 sq. km of tropical and subtropical rainforests. It’s one of the oldest national parks in Uganda having been gazette in 1991 after the government had evicted the Batwa people to protect the remaining species of mountain gorillas. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be accessed by both air and road transport at any time of the year since it is always open for tourism activities.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is divided into 4 sectors and each of these has its own mountain gorilla families that are open for trekking any time of the year. There are 19 habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and these are Orugozo gorilla family, Bitukura gorilla family, Kyaguriro gorilla family, Mukiza gorilla family, Nkuringo gorilla family, Bushasho gorilla family, Bikingi gorilla family, Rushegura gorilla family, Muyambi gorilla family, Habinyanja gorilla family, Katwe gorilla family, Mubare gorilla family, Nshongi gorilla family, Mishaya gorilla family, Kahungye gorilla family, Bweza gorilla family, and Mucunguzi gorilla family.

Things to do and see in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

After understanding Where Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in Africa, you need to know the various safari tourist activities done in the park;

Spending 1 hour with mountain gorillas in Bwindi

The main activity done in Bwindi is gorilla trekking and this is done in different sectors of the park. Bwindi has over 19 habituated mountain gorillas staying in the 4 sectors of the park namely Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Buhoma. Gorilla trekking in all sectors is the same with 98% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas and it starts with a briefing at the sector offices where trekkers get briefed about the dos and don’ts of the trekking activity. From here the trekkers are led by rangers through different trails of the park looking for these amazing primates. During the search, the trekkers get opportunities of meeting different park animals, birds, and tree species but upon meeting the mountain gorilla family, the 1 hour of gorilla trekking starts counting. During the 1 hour, the trekkers get a chance to learn about the mountain gorilla habits, watch them do daily activities, and take photos. To trek mountain gorillas in any of the 4 sectors of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, you need a valid gorilla trekking permit which you can book using a trusted local tour operator or direct from Uganda wildlife authority at a fee of $700 foreign non-residents, $600 foreign residents and shs250,000 East African citizens.

Spending 4 hours with mountain gorillas in Bwindi

Gorilla habituation is a unique activity only done in the park in the world. The activity involves trekkers being with mountain gorillas for 4 hours and helping them to get used to human presence which takes about 2 years. The gorilla habituation experience is done in Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors and starts with a briefing just like mountain gorilla trekking. After the briefing, the trekkers are led by rangers and researchers who help them on locating the mountain gorilla family that is undergoing habituation and upon finding it the trekkers are given 4 hours to be with mountain gorillas, make them used to human presence, watch them do daily activities, learn their habits and take photos. Note that gorilla habituation is done by only 4 people and there are only 8 habituation permits in Bwindi every day each costing $1500.

Encounter birds in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Birding is among the top activities that are done in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park a home to over 350 bird species among which 23 are endemic to the Albertine region. The birding in Bwindi is done through different trails of the park such as River Ivi trail between Buhoma and Nkuringo, Munyaga river trail, Ruhija bamboo trail, Rwamunyoni peak trail, and Mubwindi swamp trail. Some of the birds endemic to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park include Archer’s Robin-Chat, Dusky Crimson-wing, Strange Weaver, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Montane Masked Apalis, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Rwenzori Batis, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Regal Sunbird, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Red-throated Alethe, Stripe-breasted Tit, Kivu Ground Thrush, Rwenzori Turaco, Neumann’s Warbler, Yellow-crested Helmet Shrike, Rwenzori Nightjar, and Handsome Francolin.

Other famous species in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park include; Evergreen Warbler, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Buff-throated Apalis, African Pitta, Green-headed Sunbird, Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Cabanis’s Greenbul, Wood Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Turner’s Eremomela, Cassin’s Honeybird, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Common Bulbul, Compact Weaver, Coppery Sunbird, Stripe-breasted Tit, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Dark-backed Weaver, Dusky Crested Flycatcher, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Dusky Tit, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Cardinal Woodpecker, Red-headed Malimbe, Grey Apalis, Brown Woodland Warbler,White-browed Crombec, Green Hylia, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Fork-tailed Drongo, Great Blue Turaco, Green Crombec, Grey-headed Sparrow, Tiny Sunbird, Green-throated Sunbird, Crowned Hornbill, White-tailed Blue-flycatcher, Grey-throated Barbet, Grey-backed/Green-backed Camaroptera, Grey-headed Negrofinch, White-breasted Negrofinch, Honeyguide Greenbul, Klass’ Cuckoo, and Collared Sunbird among others.

Cultural excursions in Bwindi

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park was initially home to the Batwa group of people who had lived here for some good years before the government evicted them out of the forest to protect mountain gorillas, forest animals, and the forest. Tourists to Bwindi should include visiting the Batwa people on their lists and this can be done after a successful gorilla trekking activity. Tourists who go for the Batwa community tour are led by the Batwa people themselves who take them around the park showing them how they used to survive in the forest by using bows and arrows to kill animals, sticks to make fires, how they used plants as local medicine to cure diseases, how they used to collect honey and gather fruits. The Batwa will further take you to their homes and show you their way of living, the foods they eat, the way they dress, and at the end of it all they will entertain you through traditional dances and drama. Remember that a visit to the Batwa is done at a fee and that money is used to help them improve a living and that is how they appreciate the park.

Nature walks in Bwindi

There are nature walks in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and these provide more relaxed opportunities for exploring everything in the park. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has different trails in the 4 sectors where nature walks are done such as Munyanga river trail, waterfall trail, Rushura hill trail, River Ivi trail, and Muzabajiro trail to mention but a few where tourists in the park are led by different we’ll trained UWA guides that take around the park with chances of seeing different birds, vegetation and animal species such as elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, golden cats, bats among others.

Accommodation options in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

The so many accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park range from budget to mid-range to luxury options so where to stay depends on your budget. The accommodation facilities in different sectors of Bwindi include

Rushaga sector accommodation – Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Four Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla havens lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp.

Ruhija sector – Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija campsite, Broadbill Forest Camp, Gorilla Mist Camp, Gift of nature lodge, Agadi Eco Lodge, Cuckooland Tented Camp, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, and Trekkers Tavern among others.

Nkuringo sector – Nkuringo Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Bwindi Back Packer’s Lodge, and Crested Crane Bwindi lodge among others.

Buhoma sector – Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi View Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Jungle View Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Trekkers Tavern, Engagi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Jungle View Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Conservation Camp, Gorilla resort, and Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge among others.

What is the most appropriate time to visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park?

Any day in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park trekkers are welcomed for tourism activities but some months are better than the rest and these are the drier months. The drier months in Bwindi happen from December to February and June to September and during these days there is little or no rainfall, the vegetation in the park is very thin giving clear photography of primates and clear views of animals. During the same months, the roads leading to the park are passable, and the trekking trails are less muddy and not slippery hence increasing the speed of trekkers.

Travelers can also visit the park during the rainy season most especially budget travelers so as to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. However you need to know that during this season, there is too much rainfall, the roads to the park are impassable, the trekking trails are muddy and slippery and the vegetation is very thick with unclear views of the animals and bad photography. Travelers intending to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park for gorilla trekking and most especially those coming in the dry season are advised to book in advance their gorilla trekking permits.

Getting to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Yes, after knowing where  Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in Africa, you need to know how to access the park. Well, you can get to Bwindi by both air and road transport.

By Air

Travelers to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can fly from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield in Kampala to Kisoro airstrip for those going to Nkuringo and Rushaga sector and those to Buhoma and Ruhija sectors can fly to Kihihi airstrip inside Bwindi national park.

By road

Travelers in Kampala or Entebbe can drive to Bwindi using Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale or Kisoro road taking 9-10 hours with beautiful views of the countryside, a stopover at the equator, smiling people, views of beautiful hills, mountains, rivers, and lakes. Those from Kigali can access the park using Katuna or Cyanika border in Kabale and Kisoro respectively.

What to do with Africa Adventure Vacations?

Africa adventure vacations is a tour company based in Uganda licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators. Booking with Africa adventure vacations provides you safety and confidence during your safari courtesy of well-trained safari driver guides who are well conversant with all routes and tourism destinations in Africa. You can book with us any of the activities you want to do in Africa such as mountain gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla habituation, Chimpanzee trekking and habituation,  golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga, game drives, hiking, nature walks, birding, and community tours among others. Booking can be done at any time of the year. Feel free to contact us where Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in Africa and any other query