Ranked as one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa, Bwindi Forest is part of the known Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It took time before it was named a National Park. In the year 1932 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s two blocks were declared as crown forest reserves.
These include the southern block named as the Kasatora Crown Reserve and the northern block as the Kayonza crown reserve. Both reserves occupy a total area of 207 square kilometers. It did not end at that, the two reserves were later combined and greatly renamed to impenetrable Central crown forest.
With interest to enforce conservation, in 1964, the reserve was designated as an animal sanctuary and assigned a new name as the Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve. Its area later increased to 321 square kilometers after two other forest reserves became part of the main reserve in 1966.
Ugandan government’s game and forest department’s continued managing this area as both a game sanctuary and reserve until it was declared a National Park and renamed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1991.
This great rainforest which spans a series of steep ridges and valleys now boasts an average rainfall of almost 1500mm to the Park per year.
Besides that, the Park is now famously known for its reputation of inhabiting a wider range of Wildlife species including the rarely seen species of Mountain Gorillas.
The list embodies 120 mammal species and eleven types of primates including wild chimpanzees, red tailed and blue monkeys, and olive baboons together with black and white colobus monkeys.
For the African Big Fives, only Elephants are present in the south east of the Park but there are rarely seen. Buffaloes and Leopards existed but were hunted to extinction. Then six antelope species are as well in existence, they include bush bucks and five types of forest duikers.
Of the 350 species of birds recorded in Bwindi, 23 species are endemic to the Albertine rift, 14 species are not found anywhere else in Uganda such as the white tailored blue flycatcher, brown necked parrot, white bellied robin chat, Frazer’s eagle owl, African green broadbill to mention but a few.
Moreover, Bwindi is home to over two hundred twenty species of butterflies including the Albertine Rift endemic species, 27 species of frogs, chameleons and geckos.
This UNESCO Site is located in the South western part of Uganda, Kanungu district along Democratic Republic of Congo border. Its entire tourism focusses on Mountain Gorilla trekking in its four prominent sectors (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sector).
Those who fancy Gorilla trekking prefer Bwindi than Mgahinga National Park because of its variety of Gorilla species. It inhabits the biggest percentage of Uganda’s remaining Gorilla population in its four major sectors.
How to get there.
Getting to Bwindi is often by two options. You either go by road or feel luxurious in a tailored private charter from Entebbe.
By Road
From Kampala or Entebbe, Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway is your way to go aboard a suitable 4×4 Safari vehicle.
En route stop over is included at the equator for some brief explanation, photos when posing at the equator, snacks, coffee plus purchase of souvenirs in the available craft shops.
After this exciting stop over, you then continue with the jaw-dropping journey for another stopover in Mbarara town to have lunch where you taste on different mouthwatering dishes.
The journey resumes after lunch until you reach your lodge in the evening for check in. Relax at the lodge, have dinner and night stay.
Alternatively, if not Uganda- you can land in Rwanda at Kigali airport and transfer from there up to the suburbs of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This includes crossing borders, you can cross via Katuna or Chanika border.
For your own notice, with this option its better to apply for the East African Visa which grants entry opportunities to both countries at once.
By Air
If you don’t want long distance drives, then this option is perfect for you though the travel costs are somehow high than road transport means. Private charters are arranged from Kajjansi airstrip up to Kihihi airstrip in western Uganda.
From this airstrip, you are transferred by a guide for few kilometers up to the suburbs of the Park for check in at your lodge.
Top Activities to do in Bwindi
From Gorilla trekking excursions, sights of different bird species to endless cultural encounters, Bwindi has a lot of tempting pursuits to keep your days occupied as listed below.
Gorilla Trekking.
This is undoubtedly one of the outstanding reasons why Uganda receives huge percentage of tourists from different parts of the World. It involves moving in a group following the permanently established trails heading to the Jungle with interest of meeting the Gorillas.
Before the trekking journey, a briefing is first conducted at the Park headquarters or starting point. The main motive for it is to highlight trekkers on how to behave while in the Jungle with Mountain Gorillas. For conservation purposes and elimination of overcrowding, only eight trekkers in a group are allowed to trek one Gorilla family per day.
Gorilla trackers are the first to go early in the morning to locate the presence of these apes, after notify the Park ranger guide with the group of trekkers about all directions to follow up to the exact location. After locating these apes, you are allowed to be in their presence for only one hour while seeing them feeding, laughing and playing.
This experience is beyond meeting Gorillas to several sights of other wildlife species like plant life, birds, insect species and more. Time taken and distance moved for the trekking depends on where these apes spent their last night. What’s more, packed food is of high importance since most of the time lunch hours reach when trekkers are still in the Jungle.
Most travelers prefer being part of this activity, but some are hindered by the Gorilla trekking permit required. It’s a must buy and costs $800 USD per person. For your own notice, Money once paid is nonrefundable.
Gorilla Habituation Experience.
Another exciting activity to take in Bwindi. It’s almost similar to Gorilla trekking, but what differs is the time spent with these apes in the Jungles.
For the habituation experience, tourists are allowed to stay with the Gorillas for four hours in the Jungle.
With this, you are granted great opportunities to follow movements of these apes while taking photos and videos in different localities.
This incredible experience is only done in Bwindi – Rushaga sector. The permit costs $1500 USD per person and valid for use by one person.
Bird Watching.
Although it’s renowned for Mountain Gorillas, Bwindi is as well an ideal destination for bird watching. It inhabits over 320 species of birds including the 23 Albertine rift endemic species.
Ruhija sector is the best recommended hotspot for bird watching with lots of different species sighted in Mubwindi swamp.
Some of these species include Chestnut-throated Apalis, African Wood Owl, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, African Green Broad bill, Regal Sun bird, Collared Apalis, Montane Oriole, and Short tailed Warbler, Kivu Ground-Thrush, and Western Green Tinker bird, Handsome Francolin, and Chapin’s Flycatcher. For magical spots, Birders are advised to go either in the morning or evening.
Batwa Community visits.
This activity is usually done in the evening after the Gorilla trek. It includes associating with the Batwa people in their local communities. Experience their way of living and also be part of the different local activities performed. A guide is available to give detailed facts about life of the Batwa people. If you wish to be part of it, just know that it costs $40 USD per person.