Thrilling Attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Thrilling Attractions in Bwindi: Nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda’s most popular gorilla trekking location. It’s a vast, dense tropical rainforest located in south-western Uganda and spans over four districts: Kanungu, Rukiga, Rubanda, and Kisoro. Primarily, the park attracts a sizable number of tourists from around the globe because of its abundance of thrilling attractions in Bwindi, especially the endangered mountain gorillas, bird species, Batwa community visits, and wildlife species like 10 primate species, 120 mammals, 350 bird species, and 160 tree species, among others.
Top thrilling attractions in Bwindi
Mountain gorillas
The primary draw of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the mountain gorilla population. In Bwindi alone, the four park sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga are home to over half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. They have drawn a large number of visitors from all over the world who come to see gorillas, who have 98% of human DNA. In the Rushaga and Nkuringo areas of the park, there are two semi-habituated gorilla groups and nineteen 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.
Mammals in Bwindi
During the nature walk, gorilla trekking, and birding activities, visitors may always spot around 120 different kinds of mammals that call Bwindi home. In the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, there are no game drives, but you still have to see the mammals there in order to exit. Bwindi is home to a wide variety of species, including gigantic forest hogs, black-fronted duikers, yellow-backed duikers, side-stripped jackals, civets, buffaloes, bush pigs, and golden cats.
Bird species
The park is home to over 350 bird species in Bwindi, 23 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift Region and 14 of which are unique to the Bwindi Forest. Many visitors have been drawn to the park by the birds, and the majority of them combine their visit 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.
Following the thrilling attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the park is a haven to several bird species such as Strange Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Grauer’s Broadbill (African Green Broadbill), Regal Sunbird, Black-faced Apalis, Neumann’s Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Apalis, Equatorial Akalat, Bar-tailed Trogon, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Blue-headed Sunbird, Black Bee-eater, White-belled Robin-chat, Ywellow-eyed Flycatcher, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Oriole Finch, Grey-winged Robin-chat, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Honey-guide Greenbul, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Little-green Sunbird, and many other species.
Batwa pygmies in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was first inhabited by Batwa pygmies as the forest custodians. The government evicted them out of the forest to protect the habitats of the park’s wildlife, particularly the mountain gorillas. While on a safari in Bwindi, visitors can see the newly constructed trail that the Batwa pygmies have made across the park. The Batwa guides lead you into the forest, demonstrating to you how they hunted animals, harvested fruits, and collected honey when you visit the Batwa community. They also show you around the Batwa community, allowing you to participate in culinary and beer-making activities as well as observe daily life.
Mammals in Bwindi
During the nature walk, gorilla trekking, and birding activities, visitors may always spot around 120 different kinds of mammals that call Bwindi home. In the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, there are no game drives, but you still have to see the mammals there in order to exit. Bwindi is home to a wide variety of species, including gigantic forest hogs, black-fronted duikers, yellow-backed duikers, side-stripped jackals, civets, buffaloes, bush pigs, and golden cats.
Primates in Bwindi
More than 10 species of primates can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, apart from mountain gorillas. Primates including olive baboons, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, potto, Demi Off’s galago, red-tailed monkeys, spectacled galago, l’hoest’s monkeys, de-brazza monkeys, and chimpanzees may be seen in the park.
Best time to visit Bwindi
Although Bwindi can be visited year-round, some seasons are preferable to others. The best time to visit Bwindi is during the dry season, which is marked by little to no rainfall, which keeps the roads into the park passable, dry trekking conditions, and constant, thin foliage that makes it easy to see the park’s wildlife. Travellers on a tight budget can still take advantage of the significant savings on lodging available during the rainy seasons of March through May and October through November by visiting Bwindi. Visitors should be aware that during the rainy season, precipitation is abundant, which causes the hiking trails to become muddy and treacherous. Additionally, the tall foliage obscures views of the scenic park animals.
Accommodation in Bwindi
Besides the thrilling attractions in Bwindi, the park offers unique accommodation choices ranging from affordable, mid-range, and high-end options in all sectors, including Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga, as listed below:
Lodges in Buhoma sector
Buhoma Rest Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Engagi Lodge Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Haven Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, and Bwindi View Bandas.
Lodges in Ruhija sector
Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Trekkers Tavern, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, and Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge.
Lodges in Nkuringo sector
Gorilla Heights Lodge, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Nshongi Camp, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Campsite, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
Lodges in Rushaga sector
Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Lodge.