Situated in Kanungu district southwest of Uganda is Bwindi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its numerous features. In order to save the endangered mountain gorillas from going extinct as well as the tropical rainforest, Bwindi was gazetted in 1991. Thousands of visitors from all over the world come to Bwindi, one of the nation’s most popular national parks.
More than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, as well as 10 primate species, 120 animals, 350 bird species, and 160 tree species, are accommodated in Bwindi. In addition to being home to mountain gorillas, Bwindi is also known for its abundance of trees, wildlife, primates, birds, and the Batwa people, who are listed below.
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi
The primary draw of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the mountain gorilla population. In Bwindi alone, the four park sectors of Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Buhoma are a home to over half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. They have drawn a large number of visitors from all around the world who come to see apes who have 98% of human DNA. In the Rushaga and Nkuringo areas of the park, there are two semi-habituated gorilla groups and 19 completely habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi. The most popular activity in Bwindi is gorilla trekking, which is limited to individuals who are at least 15 years old and have a valid gorilla trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Birds in Bwindi ImpeOver 350 bird species have been recorded in Bwindi Forest National park, of which 24 are indigenous to the Albertine Rift region and 14 are unique to the Bwindi forest. Many visitors have been drawn to the park by the birds, and the majority of them combine their tours with a gorilla walk in the mountains. The well-known paths in the park, including the Bamboo Zone, Mubwindi Swamp Trail, and Buhoma Waterfall Trail, are used by the birds of Bwindi.
Yellow-streaked greenbul, purple-breasted sunbird, tambourine dove, cassin’s flycatcher, ansorge’s greenbul, klaas’s cuckoo, Angolan swallow, zebra waxbill, African paradise flycatcher, dwarf honeyguide, snowy-crowned robin-chat, cape wagtail, mountain wagtail, yellow-fronted canary, dusky twin spot, African wood-owl, European honey buzzard, archer’s robin-chat, mackinnon’s shrike, grey wagtail, scarce swift, little grebe, jameson’s antpecker, and African golden breasted buntingnetrable Forest.
African flycatcher-chat, hottentot teal, pin-tailed whydah, grosbeak weaver, stuhlmanns starling, little grebe, blue-headed sunbird, black swift, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, woolly necked stork, banded prinia, white-throated greenbul, red knobbed coot, doherty’s bush-shrike, toro olive greenbul, marabou stork, olive-breasted greenbul, giant kingfisher, African goshawk, oriole finch, fine banded woodpecker, scaly throated honeyguide, African hawk-eagle, helmeted guinea fowl, and brown illadopsis are among the additional bird species found in Bwindi.
Pygmies from Batwa in Bwindi
Bwindi forest was first inhabited by Batwa pygmies. The government drove them out of the forest in order to protect the habitats of the park’s inhabitants, especially the mountain gorillas. While on a safari to Bwindi, visitors can see the newly constructed hoke that the Batwa pygmies have made across the park. The local guides lead you into the forest, demonstrating to you how they hunted animals, harvested fruits, and collected honey, when you visit the Batwa community. Additionally, they show you around the Batwa village, where you may participate in cooking and brewing locally brewed beer, as well as observe how they go about their daily lives in Bwindi.
Bwindi’s Mammals
More than 120 mammal species have been recorded in Bwindi and these can always be spotted on a nature walk, gorilla trekking, or birdwatching adventures. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park does not offer game drives, but you cannot leave without observing the mammals there. Elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, huge forest hogs, black-fronted duikers, yellow-backed duikers, side-stripped jackals, civets, golden cats, and many more species of mammal can be found in Bwindi.
primate species in Bwindi Forest
Primates are among the other main draws of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, besides mountain gorillas. more than ten species of primates. Primate species found in the park include potto, demidoff’s galago, spectacled galago, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest’s monkeys, de brazza monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and chimpanzees.
Ideal time to travel to Bwindi
Although Bwindi can be visited year-round, some seasons are preferable than others. The best time to visit Bwindi Forest is during the dry season, which is marked by little to no rainfall, which keeps the roads into the park dry thus passable, short vegetation that makes it easy to see the park’s wildlife.
Budget travelers can take advantage of the discounts on accommodation available on a safari to Bwindi during the rainy seasons of March through May and October through November. Trekkers however should understand that the park’s roads are slippery during the rainy season, abundance of rainfall that could interfere with trekking activities, trails to become muddy and slippery, and the vegetation is tall making offering unclear views of the wildlife.
Accommodations in Bwindi
The following lodges are located in the Buhoma sector: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Silverback Lodge, Ride 4 Women Guest House, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, and Bwindi View Bandas and Bwindi Neck View Lodge
The following lodges are located in the Rushaga sector: Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
The following lodges are located in the Nkuringo sector: Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, and Virunga Campsite.
Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern are among the lodges in the Ruhija region.