Situated in the south west of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is popular for a variety of adventure activities. The exceptional biodiversity of the park sets it apart from the rest of the parks in Uganda. It is important to note that Bwindi impenetrable National Park is home to the oldest tropical rainforest on the continent.
Visits to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park expose the traveler to the views of the oldest species of flora and fauna. It hosts 160 species of trees, over 100 species of ferns, bird species, butterflies, and the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is indeed a gem of exploration and therefore the place to be for any adventure-seeking traveler.
History of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
To strengthen the conservation of wildlife species, two blocks of Bwindi were further gazetted as crown forest reserves in 1932. The two forest reserves were Kayonza and Kasatora in the north and south ends of the land respectively. The two reserves then added up to an area of about 207 square kilometers.
The forests gradually underwent developments that made them bigger in the years that followed. For instance, in 1942, they were combined, enlarged, and then given the collective name Impenetrable Central Crown Forest. This was spanning an area of approximately 298 square kilometers.
It was not until 1964 that the forest was designated an animal sanctuary. This aimed at protecting the wandering population of mountain gorillas that were prone to extinction. The gorillas were being hunted down by the poachers to snack on them. However, others were just killed for trespassing in the gardens of the locals. This prompted the resettlement of the masses and increased the size of the forest by adding to other forest reserves.
By 1966, the forest was spanning an area of about 321 square kilometers. It was managed as a forest reserve and game sanctuary until 1991 when it was promoted to National Park status. This was a move to further tap into global conservation and tourism opportunities.
Location of Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Bwindi Impenetrable national park is perched in Kanungu district in the southwest of Uganda. It occupies an area of roughly 331 square kilometers. Certainly, it is bordered by Kabale town in the Southeast. Bwindi lies on the edge of the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley. It makes up a bigger section of the Kigezi highlands.
Uniqueness and main attractions of Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
The uniqueness of Bwindi impenetrable national park lies most importantly in its biological richness. The park not only hosts the most intact tropical rainforest on the African continent but also the mountain gorillas. It is important to note that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts the largest number of mountain gorillas. It harbors 21 fully habituated mountain gorilla families that are open to visits all year round.
The park offers exclusive gorilla trekking activities where visitors get up-close encounters with mountain gorillas and countless other wildlife species. Rangers and informative guides accompany the guests to the jungle. There are many reasons to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park. Above all, it exposes you to the purity of nature.
Activities done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla trekking and habituation. These are the highlights because most visitors flock to the park to have a close observation of the mountain gorillas. Watching them in their natural habitat enables one to learn about their fascinating behaviors.
Gorilla trekking lasts for a maximum of an hour with the gentle giants. The gorilla habituation experience allows visitors to spend 4 hours with the gorillas. One requires a permit to be engage the activities for instance, gorilla trekking permits at $700. Similarly, Gorilla habituation permits at $1500 per person per experience.
Nature walks. Rangers conduct the nature walks in the park. They enable guests to experience the cool breeze of the forest. Through the diverse landscapes, visitors view a series of beautiful bird species, butterflies, and primates. All these sightings make the overall experience more satisfying.
Bird watching. Guests who spare check out Bwindi Impenetrable national park get a chance to marvel at the beautiful bird species. They observe Great Lakes region endemic species. Therefore, visitors view Abyssinian ground hornbills, shoebills, great blue turacos, eastern plantain eaters, black bee eaters, hadada ibis, and songbirds. These live and feed in the forest and the neighboring wetlands. The park has designated bird-watching sites with state-of-the-art binoculars. Therefore, they aid clear viewing of both near and far bird species.
Mountain biking. Mountain biking is yet another activity to enjoy in Bwindi. Firstly, travelers on the trails unveil the breathtaking views of the underlying rainforest. Secondly, travelers observe the beautiful views of wetlands, and patterns of the diverse landscapes.
Batwa community tours. The iconic Batwa people inhabit the outskirts Bwindi impenetrable national park. They are popular for their unique culture and traditions. They have coexisted peacefully with the gorillas since time immemorial. Their hunter-gatherer way of life excites the majority of the travelers. They love getting insights about their way of life encompassing the natural medication, their cuisine, cultural dancing, and dressing style.
Best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park.
The best time to visit Bwindi to enjoy various activities is during the dry seasons. The dry seasons comprise low rains. These make it easier for travelers to maneuver through the tropical rainforests’ terrain. Visitors find it easier to explore the ins and outs of the forest and enjoy their safaris.
Dry seasons take two forms that is to say the short and long dry seasons. The short dry season runs from December to early February. On the other hand, the long dry season runs from June to September.
How to get to the park.
Visitors can access Bwindi either by air or road transport. Kihihi airstrip caters for the flying guests. These board from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe International Airport and fly to Kihihi from and afterwards continue to the park. Road transport users can travel along the Kampala-Mbarara-Kisoro highway to access the park. Bwindi is about a 501.1 kilometer distance from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Visitors from Rwanda can access Bwindi through Southern Uganda at Katuna border.
Inconclusion, for an astounding trip, Ibuth Safaris offers budget, mid-range and up-market safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Reach us at info@ibuthsafaris.com or SEND INQUIRY or contact us at +256 393 247 137 / +256 742 678 918.
