Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP located in Uganda’s south-west region is a prime destination for mountain gorilla trekking experience where a half of the global population of these endangered apes occur. Lying on the edges of the Albertine Rift, the 330km2 UNESCO world heritage site of Bwindi is one of the oldest rainforests on the continent that survived the ice age and now protects a unique variety of flora and fauna.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP is also the best place to trek up-close the mountain gorillas a unique and a lifetime humbling adventure.
Biodiversity of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP
Bwindi forest is an ancient rainforest, a biodiversity hotspot set along the eastern ridges of the Albertine rift, known for its wide range of endemism. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest exceptional biodiversity includes a 54% of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, a large population of chimpanzee, L’hoest’s’ monkey and other smaller primates, endemic birds and a unique plant diversity. Large herbivores include a sizable population of forest elephants, a diversity of duikers, 300 species of butterflies, 200sp of trees including 10 endemics and over 100 species of ferns.
The ancient rainforest of Bwindi is a top birding hotspot with over 360 specie checklist that includes the 24 Albertine Endemics and high altitude specialists. It offers the best access to the bird-rich Albertine Rift area.
Quick facts;
- Forest Size: 330km2
- Elevation: 1160m-2607m
- Birds Species: 360 species including up to 24 Albertine Endemics
- 300 species of butterflies
- Mammals: 122 species including the Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzee and more.
Attractions and Activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP
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Gorilla Trekking Experience
A major highlight for visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP is a trek experience alongside and up-close a family of mountain gorillas in their natural rainforest home. Bwindi forest protects half of the global population of mountain gorillas where only 22 gorilla families are habituated and available for daily trek expereince.
Mountain gorilla trekking at Bwindi Forest is offered in two different trekking options that give visitors a diverse experience with these gentle apes.
A gorilla habituation experience is where a small number of visitors in a company of ranger researchers, trek to a semi-habituated mountain gorilla family to gain insights of its wild behavior and personalities. This behind-the-scenes experience gives you a chance to see the dedication and the delicate work of researchers and also offers an extended time for observation of these gentle apes.
This rewarding and almost full-day trek experience is more physical demanding, starting very early in the mornings to find the gorilla family leaving their nests and following along as they forage till late afternoon. These gorilla families are shy and forage in difficult forest sections completely away from the established forest trails. Limited permits are issued per day and the cost is 1500 USD per person.
Ordinary Gorilla Tracking Experience tend to be shorter and rather easier as only 8 visitors trek to a well habituated gorilla family to its home range. And once the gorilla family has been located, the visitors spend the standard One-hour to observe, photograph and watch the different family interaction. These gorilla families are well used to visitors and less shy offering quality observation. Tracking duration at Bwindi forest vary daily but anywhere between 4-8 hrs is normal.
It is important to note that gorilla tracking experience require a minimum age of 15 years. Read on the detailed FAQ about gorilla trekking in Uganda
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Bird Watching in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the region’s premier birding hotspot offering the best montane birding expereince. The checklist of over 360 species includes the rare 24 Albertine Endemics and a quality afro-highland specialists unique to this ancient rainforest.
The rainforest of Bwindi offers the safest and best access to bird the Albertine Rift Endemic zone, known for its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Birding tours here explore various altitudes and micro habitats where from a total checklist of over 360 species occur.
Bird highlights include; African Green Broadbill, Bar-tailed Trogon, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, African Broadbill, Western Green Tinkerbird, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Ayres Hawk-Eagle, Brown-necked Parrot, Montane Oriole, beautiful Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Stripe-breasted Tit, Strange Weaver, Neumann’s Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Handsome Francolin and more.
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Hiking in Bwindi Forest
Bwindi Forest is crisscrossed by excellent hiking trails that explore the rich rainforest interior with chances to encounters several primates, a variety of birds, butterflies and various tree species. The UNESCO world heritage forest of Bwindi is the oldest in Africa estimated to be over 2-million years, with a rich diversity of flora and fauna including the endangered mountain gorillas. The trails traverse diverse vegetational zones between altitude ranges of 1650 to 2650m also the highest peak in the park, past crystal white waterfalls, streams and swamps.
Popular guided forest walks at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest include birding for local Albertine endemics and montane specialists across rewarding forest trails. Adventure enthusiasts looking for an expereince should undertake follow the main trail that leads to scenic ice-white waterfalls.
Our highly recommended is a long walk from Buhoma to Nkuringo that takes you across the rainforest where the interior is rich with birds, mammals and panoramic views of forested ranges.
Duration and difficulty of Bwindi Walking Trails
Bwindi Forest is highland rainforest spread across various ridges and ranges along the Albertine Rift therefore requiring above average fitness levels. That said, walking/hiking experiences across this is rainforest include short-to-full-day tours tailored to your’ time, fitness levels and interests.
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Meet the Batwa on a Community Trek Experience in Bwindi
While at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP, take a community visit to meet the Batwa, an indigenous group of people that formerly lived in the highland forests across the equatorial Africa. Rich in ancient traditions and culture, the Batwa lived as nomadic hunter gatherers in these vast rainforests till up to recent times when modernity came knocking.As a crucial need to preserve and conserve both the mountain gorillas and its dwindling rainforest habitats arose, the Batwa found themselves at cross roads and were forced out of their forest homes to adapt to modern lifestyle.
This highly recommended guided community tour is a demonstrative experience, showcasing the Batwa’s rich culture and traditions including various skills and sheds light into their adopted modern lifestyle today.
More Tips and Guidelines on Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP
By road from Entebbe/ Kampala: The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP with its 4 sector offices lie close to 500 km from Entebbe/Kampala, requiring 9 hrs to full-day drive. A road transfer from the nearby Queen Elizabeth NP north of Bwindi and Lake Mburo NP requires up to 3-hrs and 5 hrs respectively.
By road from Kigali, Rwanda: For travelers looking for short safari plans to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP and Mgahinga NP can opt to land in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital crossing into Uganda through the land borders of Gatuna/Katuna or Kyanika/Chanika. Here drive time is about 4 hrs. Note that such travelers will need to purchase an East African visa that allows multi-entry to several East African countries.
By air: For travelers looking to avoid long direct drives or with short time on hands, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is served by domestic scheduled flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi airports landing at Kisoro Airport where the southern sector offices of Rushaga and Nkulingo will be about 50km (1hr away).
For the northern sector offices of Buhoma and Ruhija, domestic flights land at Kihihi Airport also 50km (1hr) away.
Where to stay while at Bwindi Forest
Bwindi trekking sector offices of Buhoma, Ruhija Rushaga and Nkuringo are well serviced with a wide range of quality accommodation ranging from super luxury to mid-range. Other quality accommodations options lie along the scenic lakes of Bunyonyi, Murehe and Mutanda which require about 2 hrs drive to Bwindi.
To visitors intending to trek in Bwindi, we highly recommend to stay as close to sector offices/trailheads as possible on the night before the activity .