Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Located in southwestern Uganda, neighboring the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites and was named so in 1994. This is because it is a biologically diverse rainforest best known for having almost half the total population of the world’s most endangered but gentle species, the mountain gorillas. Except for the mountain gorillas, Bwindi is also home to a large diversity of about 120 species of mammals such as the black and white colobus monkeys, 350 bird species such as hornbills as well as 310 species of butterflies.

Before it became known as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in 1932 the two blocks of this forest were designated as the Crown Forest with the Northern block known as the Kayonza Crown Forest Reserve and the Southern block as the Kasatora Crown Forest Reserve.

The name Bwindi comes from the word Mubwindi, a local dialect that means a place of darkness. It was most likely named so due to the park’s dense rainforest that makes it almost impenetrable.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers an area of 32000 hectares and has about 160 tree species. Located on the eastern edge of the Albertine Right Valley, this area is home to a number of the Albertine rift endemics such as the Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Night Jar, Dwarf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, and many others.’

Bwindi stands at an altitude ranging from 1160 to 2706m above sea level and experiences an annual temperature of a minimum ranging between 7-15 degrees Celsius and a maximum ranging from 20-27 degrees Celsius with rainfall of about 1400 to 1900 millimeters. Even if Bwindi is a tropical rainforest implying it receives rainfall throughout the year, it receives its highest rainfall amounts from March to April and September to November.

Best known for its gorilla safaris, this national park has about 459 gorillas surviving in its 4 sectors which are; Buhoma, the northern part of the park, Ruhija, the eastern part of the park then Rushaga and Nkuringo the southern parts of the park. The Buhoma sector has 7 habituated gorilla families, the Rushaga sector has 10 habituated gorilla families, Nkuringo has 4 habituated gorilla families and Ruhija has 6 habituated gorilla families. Each of these gorilla families is open to trekking by 8 visitors per day and is headed by a dominant male known as a silverback.

Other than gorilla trekking, there are several activities that you can take part in while in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Activities that you can take part in while in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Include;

• Gorilla trekking
• Gorilla Habituation
• Birdwatching
• Batwa experience
• Nature walks/Hiking
• Buhoma Community walks
• Coffee and tea plantation visits
• Mountain bike rides

Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

All these activities are carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park throughout the year though the best time to visit Bwindi, especially for a gorilla expedition is during the dry season. This is between June to August and December to early February. These are the dry months and offer the perfect clear sunny skies, firm hiking trails, less thick bushes, and the access roads are dry and passable though being a tropical rainforest, expect rainfall any time of the day.

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However, if you are a budget traveler, you can overlook the difficulties of the slippery hikes and inaccessibility of the roads and take this safari in the wet season since during these times it is possible to get a discounted gorilla permit and accommodation. No matter what the time of year of your safari, be certain that you will encounter these magnificent, endangered creatures and have a time just as amazing with them.

Cost of gorilla permit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

To go for a gorilla safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you require a gorilla permit that costs 800 USD for foreign non-residents, 500 USD for residents of Africa, 700 USD for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens with a minimum trekking age being 15 years.

In case you would love to have a longer encounter with this gentle but endangered species, then Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the right place to be since it’s the only place where gorilla habituation is carried out specifically in its Rushaga sector. Gorilla Habituation costs 1500 USD for foreign residents, 1000 USD for residents of Africa, 1000 USD for foreign residents, and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens.

Accommodation in Bwindi

Looking for where to stay while visiting, areas around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as well as all its 4 sectors offer great accommodation ranging from budget, mid-range, and luxury therefore your choice of accommodation entirely depends on your affordability. Budget accommodations in Bwindi include; Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Bwindi Guest House, Crested Crane Bwindi, Nkuringo Guest House, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort and so many others, mid-range accommodation include; Agandi lodge, Bakiga lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Bwindi View lodge, Engagi lodge, Gorilla Mist lodge, Gorilla Hills lodge among others and luxury accommodation include; Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Buhoma lodge, Gorilla Heights, Clouds mountain gorilla lodge and many others.

Recommended packages  to Visit  gorillas  in Bwindi impenetrable  national park

2 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Starting From Kigali

2 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari starting from Kigali with the gorilla permit inclusive of the safari cost designed by Rwanda Gorilla Trek.

3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi National Park

3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi National Park on your African travel bucket, visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda’s famous   Bwindi

4 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari & Boat Cruise

4 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Nature view boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi on 4 Days Uganda Gorilla trekking Safari.Visit the mountain gorillas,