Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park is a large protected national park on an average occupancy area covering 330 square kilometers, before it was a forest Reserve not later in 1964 when it became an animal sanctuary to protect the critically endangered mountain gorillas then. In the year 1991, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park was now crowned and upgraded to a national park status alongside Mgahinga Gorilla national park all in southwestern Uganda. The name Bwindi is derived from Mubwindi Bwa Nyinamuraki literally meaning “a place of darkness” from the thick impenetrable bush and forests, a name commonly used by the surrounding community.

Bwindi is characterized by steep hills and narrow valleys with a general incline from the north and west to the southwestern corner. It is situated right in Kigezi Highlands of southwest Uganda, within the Districts of Kabale, Kisoro, and Rukungiri bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi: is truly a humbling safari destination on Uganda Safari. There are more 1000 mountain gorillas surviving in the whole world where almost half of the total population is found in Bwindi. Gorilla tourism in Bwindi began in 1993 after eviction of the Batwa who once occupied the forest and co-existed together with the gorillas in harmony.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi began with one Habituated gorilla family Mubare in Buhoma and as years went by other gorilla families have been habituated bringing the number to 20 gorilla families open for Gorilla trekking experience.

Gorilla Trekking is an ultimate memorable experience, getting close and personal near a habituated group in its natural setting. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is however divided into four tracking sectors, they include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo open for daily trekking to see the gorillas.

Gorilla trekking as an activity is quite unpredictable, it can take 2 to 8 hours depending on their previous location and how far they have moved. However, you need to be an avid hiker as it involves hiking through steep slopes and muddy slides with in the forest until you allocate the gorillas

Sectors in Bwindi

These include different trails you follow while on the search for the gorillas, each sector has its own uniqueness and several habituated gorilla families. Much as many tourists would love to trek in Buhoma specifically Mubare because it’s the pioneer, the satisfaction derived from seeing the gorillas is the same. each sector possesses a unique distinctive feature from the other, with its own habituated gorilla families. The treks can either be challenging or moderate depending on which sector and the gorilla family you choose.

Buhoma

This sector serves as the pioneer of them all and gorilla trekking began here. Same time it’s the Head quarter of the park, while accessing Bwindi from the North, you probably find yourself in Buhoma. Since 1993 when gorilla tourism started there are other several habituated gorilla groups that have been successfully habituated. These include; Mubare, Habinyaja, Rushegura, and Katwe. The land scape is more accessible and less strenuous making it easy to trek in search for the gorillas. The sector can easily be accessed from the Neighboring Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Ruhija

Ruhija is a few kilometers from Buhoma, east of Bwindi it can also be accessed from Kabale. This sector was established in 2008 and so for has 4 gorilla families, Bitukura, Kyaguriro, Mukiza and Oruzogo. It has a dramatic landscape at 2340 meters above sea level making it strenuous to hike and very cold.

Nkuringo

Nkuringo is situated in the remote south of Bwindi. The trailhead is at an altitude of 2,100 meters on the Nteko Ridge, 600 meters above the Kashasha River valley, where the gorillas roam. Its however a steep descent and very challenging to hike back. This sector is only recommended to the strong and avid hikers. There is no doubt that Nkuringo is the most difficult tracking destination of the four. But it is beautiful with stunning panoramic views of the Virunga Volcanic Range. Gorilla families here include  Bushaho, Christmas and Nkuringo.

Rushaga

This sector is south of the park, easily accessed from Kisoro. The sector is characterized by a rugged open terrain, moderate to hike for all. There are five families here and include; Nshongi, Kahungye, Mishaya, Bweza, Bikingi,  Mucugunzi and Busigye. The terrain being open provides stunning views, making it easier going than Ruhija. Rushaga is also accessible to while staying in Nkuringo, around Lake Mutanda, or even Kisoro and can easily trek the gorillas in Rushaga.

Besides gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has a record of over 350 bird species are recorded here including 23 endemics of the Albertine Rift valley and other migratory birds. Some of the bird species here include short-tailed Warbler and blue-headed Sunbird African Emerald Cuckoo, Common Bulbul, African Blue and white-tailed Blue Flycatchers and Red-headed Bluebill, Turacos, among others. Bird watching in Bwindi is best done along the main trails of Buhoma waterfall trail, bamboo zone and Mubwindi swamp trail in Ruhija.

Hiking is also a quite an awesome experience that can be done in six main nature trails of Buhoma more especially those who wish to explore the beauty of “Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park” nature walk trails include waterfall walks, forest walks where you have chances to encounter primates, have clear mountain views and impressive birdlife.

Best time to visit Bwindi

Times have changed and so changes in weather patterns due to changes in environmental factors there for it may not be clear when is the best time to visit. First of all, Gorilla trekking is a daily activity come rain come sunshine despite any weather pattern the activity must go on.

The best time however may be best described using seasons such as Dry season from June-August and December to February. During this time, it is believed trails are dry and less slippery, it is also associated with peak season therefore Gorilla permits may require booking in advance. The wet season covers the rest of the month and here the disadvantage is slippery ground, however it’s the best time to capture good photographs and birding. Despite the weather predictions, Bwindi is a tropical rain forest with high chances of downpours every day or likely not.

How to get there

The Park can be accessed by both air and road transport. It is about 520km from Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. The following routes can be used to reach the headquarters of the National Park.

• Kampala to Kabale (414km, 5-8 hours) then Kanungu-kanyantorogo down to Buhoma region where the Park Headquarters are, about 120km, a 3.5hours drive.
• Kampala to Kabale (414km, 5-8 hours) then to Ruhija and finally to Buhoma region, 95km 3hour drive.
• Queen Elizabeth National Park to the northern sector like 2 to 3 drives, from Kampala through Mbarara city about 6 to 8 hours drive or from Kabale town to the southern just 1 to 2hours. All those roads converge at Butogota, just 17km from Buhoma region entrance-gate.

Alternatively, there are domestic chattered flights from Entebbe or Kajjasi airfield to Kihihi which takes about 1hour and 30 minutes to reach the park.