Bwindi is an old forest which survived the massive plate shift that lead to the formation of the beautiful western rift. Bwindi in the local language means dark, complex and ferocious place, and it was named so to best explain the impenetrable nature of this forest considering in some parts the tree canopy is very thick that light can hardly penetrate down to the ground. This forest is best known for its gorilla trekking safaris, and within this verdant forest you will also find a deep swamp.
On the lighter side, this forest is not very impassable but you can track through to see the endangered mountain gorillas which live here. Other wildlife living within this forest include: chimpanzees and this is the only place where you will find the chimpanzees happily co-existing with the mountain gorillas. Others include Vervet Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-Tailed Monkeys, the Pottos, Duiker Antelopes, Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Civets, L Hoests Monkeys, Blue, Bush babies, Bushpigs, Forest Hogs, Side-Striped Jackals, Clawless Otter, Golden Cats, Genets as well as bats among several others. There are over 340 bird species and 310 species of trees several butterflies and the ferns. The varied vegetation types including bamboo have made this habitat the best place to trekking gorillas.
About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park your dream destination? Have you ever heard about impenetrable tropical rain forests in Africa? Here are facts and information you need to know to plan a perfect safari in Bwindi. Let it be a gorilla trekking safari or just a simple hike through the forest, we have you covered. Start here for basic information about the park such as where Bwindi Impenetrable is located and which of the park’s four sectors where you can enter the park. Find answers to the most frequently asked questions such as what to pack and how close you should get to wild animals. Are you planning a trip far in advance? Check our weather articles to learn what to expect in different seasons.
All About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and is situated along the Democratic Republic of Congo border next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the western Great Rift Valley. It covers an area of 327 km².
What Does Bwindi Mean?
Bwindi means “impenetrable” given its muddy, swampy & dark forest that is full of darkness! Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a tropical rain forest largely contained within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). It is located in south western Uganda, within the triangle of mountains where Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR) converge. It is about 25km north of the Virunga volcanoes and on the edge of the western Rift valley.
In 1991 the Ugandan part of the forest became a national park, ‘Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’ protecting 127 square metres of rain forest, home to around 340 endangered mountain gorillas – about half of the world’s mountain gorillas remaining in the wild.
Attractiveness of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The park gives home to 120 mammal species, including 10 primates, 350 species of birds, 310 species of butterflies, 51 reptiles, 88 type of moths, 200 species of trees and 100 species of ferns. Most notable are the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Gorilla tracking is the main attraction.
The park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the government parastatal responsible for protecting Uganda’s wildlife.
Location
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is situated in South-Western Uganda just at the extreme Rift Valley.
Altitude
The park has one of the most astounding varied elevations sloping down and upwards with incomparably spectacular flora and fauna specifically the uncommonly seen forest birds and the world’s largest wild Apes as well as river gorges and misty hills. The Park spreads up to 321 square kilometers of which; the largest part is mainly forested with bamboo and shrubs. Bwindi’s elevation is between 1160 and 2607 meters above sea level.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is unique given the fact that its Uganda’s ancient and most biologically rich tropical rain forest. There are probably several forests in the world but few of them offer distinct attractions like the thick Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in East Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a UNESCO heritage site in Uganda ever since 1994.
Gorilla tourism in Bwindi
Gorilla tourism in Bwindi has attained permanence and fame since its launch in 1993 with Mubare gorilla family being the first habituated gorilla group to open for gorilla trekking in this park and Uganda at large. Unlike before, today, gorilla tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has greatly improved. Accessibility to the park is easier and there are many accommodation facilities for tourists on Uganda gorilla safari to choose for their overnight stay.
Additionally, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone shelters 459 mountain gorillas and these represent a portion of 1063 individuals that still live on earth today. This makes Bwindi one of the preferred gorilla trekking destinations in Africa.
Bwindi today
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is biologically a rich safari destination. It boasts of an estimate of 459 mountain gorillas, 360 bird species, 400 plant species, several colorful butterfly species and other species including chimpanzees. While on Uganda safari in Bwindi, expect to engage in not only in gorilla trekking but also in bird watching, nature walk/hiking, biking, mountain gorilla habituation experience, Batwa cultural experience among others.