Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Uganda’s exclusive tourist destinations. It’s among East Africa’s thickest tropical rainforests and covered with dense canopy. Located in the southwestern part of the country, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest occupies a big area of about 331 sq. kilometers. It’s an impenetrable forest because of its mass concentration of trees and canopy, and its floor is usually water logged making its penetration somehow difficult.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Lying in the south west of the country, 414 kms from Kampala, on the border with The Congo, the park covers an area of over 330 sq kms. As the name dictates – this park real African jungle area, with dense undergrowth, vines and a wide variety of flowers and aphrodisiac plants. Most visitors come to the park to catch a glimpse of the mountain gorillas, but the park is home to over 120 species of mammals, including chimpanzees, black & white colobus, blue monkey, bush pig, duiker, leopard, jackal and elephants in the south east of the park.
There are also over 350 species of bird, 202 species of butterflies and over 200 species of trees found within the park.
A 4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended to get around the park. Gorilla tracking is limited to small groups and it’s advisable to book well in advance of your intended visit.
Bookings can be made through most tour operators or directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Community Accommodation: Camping facilities and a deluxe tended camp is available at Buhoma. If you have camping equipment, camping is permitted in designated areas in the park. There is also accommodation available in Kabale and other upcoming groups around the park. Our community accommodation around Bwindi national park include, Buhoma community rest camp, Nguringo cultural centre, clouds lodge, Ruhija gorilla friends camp and Nyundo valley hill traditional accommodation. The site you will use depends on the group you have paid to track, please tell me the gorilla group you will track and I will tell you which accommodation is suitable for you.
Despite its nature, Bwindi is still among the East African destinations that receive the highest number of visitors because of its biodiversity. It’s a home to several wildlife and bird species and many other tourist activities like wildlife safaris, forest nature walks, etc. Let’s take a look at some of its major attractions;
Getting There
The forest is a distant and remotely located tourist destination, in the far southwest of Uganda. It can be reached by both air and road transport. Taking about 6 – 8 hours on the road and less than an hour in the air from either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kahihi or Kayonza air strips from where, it’s only a short distance to the national park. The trip to Bwindi Impenetrable rainforest is very rewarding as it offers travellers wonderful scenic views of the countryside, enjoying the gently sloping and terraced Kigezi highlands, taking in the Ugandan atmosphere.
Best Time To Visit
Though mountain gorilla trekking can be enjoyed at anytime of the year; when it comes to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable tropical rain forest, the best recommended time is the dry season. This is when the thick forest is quite passable and easy to trek through with less disturbances from the rains and the muddy / or waterlogged floors and even the roads to the different sectors are very passable though a well air conditioned vehicle with an AC may be required to avoid flu and cold due to the dust.
What To Carry
Anyone planning a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable rainforest for any of its adventures; one should come with his/ her full tracking gear consisting of a water proof bag, rain coat and jacket, light long trousers, long sleeved shirt, sweater, knee-level hiking shoes/ gumboots, a pair of woolen stocks and hand gloves, and a camera without flash lights for clear coverage.