Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and it is situated along Democratic Republic of Congo border next to the Virunga national park and on the edge of Albertine rift valley.
It is accessible on foot; and composed of 331 square kilometers of both Montana and low land forest. Bwindi impenetrable is a world heritage site.
Bwindi impenetrable forest protects the 450 mountain Gorillas left in the world the critically endangered apes. It also provides habitat for the 120 species of mammals including the elephants, white and black colobus monkeys etc.
220 species of butterflies, with more than 1000 plants species including the 163 species of trees and 104 types of fern species, the forest also protects 27 species of frogs for example the chameleons, geckos and many more endangered species.
It’s a sanctuary for the wild primates including the monkeys and 400 bird species such as hornbills and Turacos.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into four sectors such as Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Buhoma all these gorilla trekking sectors are open for tourism and they all have Gorilla families which are already habituated for example, Habinyanja, Mubare, Rushegura, Nkuringo and many more.
Bwindi forest was also a habitat to the Batwa people who were the first people to inhabit the forest 400,000 years ago.
This forest is a hidden pearl in Uganda, one of the best national parks in Uganda; It’s always waiting to be discovered, although the big numbers of people who visit the forest are mainly Gorilla trekkers who end up missing the magic wonder of this incredible forest.
There many activities carried out in Bwindi national park these include.
Gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is the main reason most visitors prefer to visit Bwindi forest national park. This is a lifetime adventure with four trail heads which one can trek the habituated families by obtaining a Gorilla permit before you access into the forest. There are 8 permits booked for a day to visit each Gorilla family, one is always advised to book in advance before 3 months to your travel.
Gorilla Habituation Experience. The Gorilla habituation experience can only be experienced in Uganda. This experience takes 4 hours, it’s an experience which takes place as humans spend time training the mountain Gorillas.There only 2 families being habituated and there are found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi.
Batwa trail experience. This experience takes you to learn about the first people who lived a thousand years ago in the forest. The Batwa inhabited in the forest caves, there are called the pygmies-they left a small footprint on the forest and lived in peace with Mother Nature. Visit them and learn about their ways of living.
Birding experience, Bwindi National Park is one of the destinations in Africa for birding experience. With over 400 bird species living in the forest, it’s a best place bird lovers will encounter.
Hiking, Bwindi impenetrable national park offers an opportunity to hike through the forest explore on foot, the hike is always guided with a guide.
Trails and hikes, the trails can be found in Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo. This activity can be added on the Gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodation, Bwindi Impenetrable forest offers different ranges from budget to luxury lodges.
The lodges are found in all the sectors of the park.
Bwindi is a home to the mountain Gorillas but also a home away from home for visitors.