Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Tracking Safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southern Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world. This popularity comes from being a habitat for more than half of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National park (BINP) is located in southwestern near DRC’s Virunga National Park and on the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift.

Bwindi, like any beautiful creation of nature, can not be described enough. This is even more so when you consider the rich biodiversity of endangered plants and animals. Being there – live in fresh is a mind-blowing experience that we know you will appreciate.

Take a look at some of our popular Safari packages that go to Bwindi for all these attractions. We hope they will inspire you to take a trip to see the endangered gorillas in Bwindi. And we shall be thrilled to take you there and make sure you enjoy the most authentic safari.

• • Size:331 square kilometers (128 square miles).
  • Designation Status:National Park & UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
  • Plant Species:more than 220 tree species and more than 100 fern species.
  • Mammal Species:Approximately 120 – of which 10 are primates and more than 45 are small mammals.
  • Bird Species:More than 350 species.
  • Butterfly Species:More than 200 species.
  • Popular activities:Gorilla Trekking, Hiking and Nature Walks, Bird Watching, Community Walks, Cultural Experiences.
  • Gorilla trekking spots:Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringiro and Rushaga.
  • Ownership:Uganda Wildlife Authority (Government of Uganda).

While Bwindi is famous for mountain gorilla research and tourism, it is also one of the most ecologically diverse hotspots in the world. With a wide range of plants, animals, birds, and insects to captivate anyone – several times over.

As part of you Bwindi experience, you will have additional experiences of pristine crystal clear waterfalls, swamps and rivers, Bamboo forests, elephants, colourful butterflies, rare birds, monkeys and of course the mountain gorillas.

From the intense gorilla trekking on which you will see many species of animals and birds, you will also get to experience walking under the thick canopy of trees too tall, too old, too breathtaking.

Mountain gorillas in Bwindi are scientifically referred to as Gorilla beringei beringei. In the local language around the Park (Rukiga) they are called Engagi. Gorillas are recognized as an endangered animal species with a population of barely over 1000 individuals as of the 2018 gorilla census.

Bwindi happens to be home to more than half of these gorillas. The gorilla population in Bwindi has steadily risen because of sustained efforts by the Uganda government through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. While the 1997 gorilla census indicated about 300 individuals, the rise was witnessed in 2002 with 320 and again in 2006 with 340 individuals.

As of 2018, the estimates put the gorilla population at slightly more than 1000 individuals.

There are now more than 15 gorilla families that are designated for tourism. These families can be tracked with four major trailheads of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringiro.

Activities

Besides gorilla trekking, there is a whole host of activities one can do in Bwindi to fully experience the place. These include the following.

1. Hiking And Nature Walks.

With the hilly landscape and pure environment, hiking to any hill or taking a nature walk will fill you up with goodness only mother nature can provide.

2. Bird Watching.

It is true that birds of a feather flock together. This is even truer in Bwindi with more than 350 species adding beauty to the rich ecosystem. Ruhija and Buhoma Sectors are worth a couple of days for avid bird watchers.

3. Bakiga Cultural Experience.

While a lot is known about the Bakiga; especially their terraced hills for agriculture and hospitable character, the firsthand experience will blow you away. Learning about the old traditions and untold folklore will not only give you a great perspective of their past but also an appreciation of the future for humans as a species.

4. Batwa Cultural Experience.

The Batwa are a Ugandan tribe of hunter-gatherers who have lived in Bwindi Impenetrable forest for generations and have only moved out recently. The cultural norms and ways of the Batwa are very unexplored and getting a firsthand experience is yet another highlight of visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Here is an article from our blog that details all the things that make the Batwa really special.

5. Gorilla Habituation.

This is a four-hour gorilla interaction where people observe, photograph and learn how gorilla behaviour adapts to human presence. Gorilla habituation is the ultimate as far as your personal experience with gorillas can get.

After the habituation exercise, you will even be awarded a gorilla habituation certificate. Here is an in-depth article about gorilla habituaion. Gorilla Habituation Experience. Everything you need to know.

6. Community Walks.

Walk around in the community and get your own firsthand feel of the day-to-day goings-on of the people who live adjacent to this magnificent park. You can also get to purchase locally made handicrafts as souvenirs of your time in Bwindi.

Best time

The best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is between June and August, and then again in December through to February. These are the driest months, with the best chance of sunny skies and clear days perfect for wildlife viewing, although showers are always possible.