Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an exceptionally rich and varied ecosystem. It is one of the most unique and important forests in Africa. The park ranges from lowland to Afro-montane forest, a moist tropical forest that is unique in Uganda and rare among East African protected areas. It has remained a forest for millions of years, while in most other parts of Africa forests have come and gone throughout the ages.
Bwindi is one of the richest forests in East Africa for birds (350 species), butterflies (310 species), and trees (324 species). Bwindi also has at least 120 species of mammals including 10 species of primates. Some of these species are only found here in the highland forests of south-western Uganda, eastern Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. This area is known as the Albertine Rift. Bwindi has 23 birds endemic to the Albertine Rift and 10 trees endemic to Uganda.
Bwindi National Park is one of the country’s newest national parks. It was gazetted in 1991 with an area of 331 kmĀ² to conserve the last rarest remaining Mountain Gorillas. It is a home to half the world’s surviving several families of the Mountain Gorillas and an important scientific conservation program.
Best time to visit
Bwindi is a rainforest and thus is wet all year round, although of course the rains increase during the seasons of April-May and October-November. But go when you get tracking permits. As in the case of Mgahinga; these are strictly limited.
Wildlife
This is one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa. There exists about one half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla tracking began on 1st April, 1993. Other animals including the Colobus monkey, chimpanzee, elephant, bushbuck, duiker, buffallo, golden cat, leopard, civet, bushpig, giant forest hog, black-fronted duiker, clawless otter, golden cat, genet and many species of bats and rondents .
Hoofed Animals and Large herbivores
About 20 elephants live in the southern sector of the forest. They range from Ruhija, the bamboo zone, through the middle of the forest across to the swamp above Buhoma. They are of the forest race, distinguished from bush elephants by their smaller size, rounder ears and straighter tusks. Bushbuck and giant forest hog are usually found only near Mubwindi Swamp. More widespread in the park are black fronted duiker, yellow-backed duiker and Bushpig. Buffalo are now extinct within the Park.
Carnivores
Golden cat, Genets , Civets, Side-striped jackals.
Other Small Mammals
Most of Bwindiās other mammals are small-16 insectivores, 39 rodents and 16 bat species have been found to date.
Birdlife
There are also several birds and endangered species of birds with limited ranges. Birding in Bwindi is enjoyable at any time of the year. The wetter months (February-May and September-November) are recommended as many species breed then, so they are more active and vocal.
At least 190 birds species have been recorded in the Buhoma area, making it one of the best birding sites in the forest. The less often visited Ruhija area has 119 species of bird on record and many more are bound to be sighted.
Other Attractions
This is the richest forest in Uganda, in terms of the number of plant species, as the area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and mountain communities merge. The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines, and shrubs with only a few trees hence its name, the impenetrable forest.
Access
It is 100 km to the Park Headquarters at Buhoma from Kabale which is 414 km from Kampala. Driving the Kabale-Buhoma road requires a 4 Wheel drive vehicle. There is a direct Silverline bus daily in each direction between Kampala and Butogota, which goes via Kisizi. It leaves Kampala at around 6 am, arriving in Butogota around 6 pm. The other alternative is the irregular pick-ups and taxis which connect Kabale and Butogota. If there is nothing from Kabale to Butonga, take a kihihi tax as far as Kanyantorogo, from where you can pick up the bus as it comes through Kampala .
It is advisable to make reservations at least 3 months before your intended date of visit. These reservations can be made through your tour operator / travel agent or directly to Uganda National Parks Headquarters in Kampala. It commonly rains in this area. Come with a raincoat, walking boots, and gloves.
Accommodations
Camping facilities, bandas, and a deluxe tented camp are available at Buhoma. Those with camping equipment may camp in the Park. Visitors to this Park can be accommodated in Kabale at the White Horse Inn, the Highland Hotel, the Victoria Inn and the Visitor’s Rest Hotel. In addition, African Pearl Safaris has a mid- range lodge in Buhoma, and both Mantana Safaris and Abercombie and kent run luxury tented camps nearby.
If you have to spend the night in Butogota, the Butogota Travellers Inn is simple, clean and comfortable. The Pineapple lodge is another option.
At Buhoma there are several choices of accommodation, all facing a dramatic forested slope across the Munyaga River. For the budget traveler the Community Campground is excellent. It has open campsites, ātea shedsā where you can pitch a tent on dry ground under a thatched roof, and “bandas” or round houses with four bunk-beds to a room. If you arenāt equipped to cook for yourself, there are at least two canteens nearby where you can eat, but you should order meals well in advance. The A&K luxury tented camp mainly accepts visitors with prior bookings. The African Pearl lodge has 15 rooms, and offers meals.
At Ruhija, if you want to stay overnight you can use the Guest House as a base for a small fee. It has beds but you should bring your own food.
Contact Address
Uganda Wildlife Authority
Plot 3 Kintu Road, Nakasero
P.O Box 3530
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256-40-34628 or 346288, 346280, 346290
Email: uwa@uwa.or.ug
Uganda Tourist Board
Impala House, Kimathi Avenue,
P.O Box 7211 Kampala (U)
Tel: 256-41-342196/7
Fax: 256-41-342188
E-mail: utb@starcom.co.ug
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
P.O Box 862
Kibale
Tel 256-486-24121
Location
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) is located in south-western Uganda and covers 331 kmĀ² (128 square miles). It lies at the edge of the great Western Rift Valley, and is part of the highest block of the Kigezi or Rukiga Highlands. Bwindi lies next to the Congo border, about 29 km by road north-west of Kabale, 20 km north of Kisoro, and 40 km southeast of Lake Edward to the closest boundary point.
The Park is covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro, and Kabale Districts. It is situated in a hilly countryside, which, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary, constitutes an important water catchments area for many rivers, supplying the agricultural land of the surrounding region.
Landascape
The Park has a wide altitude range, from 1160m (3805 ft) at the tip of the northern sector to 2607m (8551 ft) at Rwamnyonyi hill on the south-eastern edge of the Park. The landscape is rugged with deep valleys running between steep sided hills and ridges. Barely a square kilometer of the park is flat - the Mubwindi and Ngoto swamps. The vegetation is dense, especially in areas regenerating after disturbances such as fire, hence the name “impenetrable”.
The forest is an important water catchments area. It is the source of 5 major rivers which carry about 80% of the runoff into Lake Edward. Other rivers drain into Lake Mutanda, Lake Bunyonyi and Kigeyo Swamp.
Weather
There are two dry seasons: December-January and June-August. The wettest months are March-April and September-November. Rainfall ranges from 1,130-2,390 mm per year, average 1,450mm (57 in). The number of rainy days per year varies from 122 to 177, average 148.
The daily temperature ranges from 7Ā°-20Ā°C (45Ā°-68Ā°F). Average monthly temperature probably varies by less than 4Ā°C throughout the year. The coldest period is June to July.
The prevailing winds over Bwindi, especially during the dry seasons, are from southeast. Cool air collects in the valleys in the evenings and saturates with water vapour, frequently forming mists in the mornings and after rains.
Plant life in Bwindi
The vegetation of the Park is broadly described as medium altitude moist evergreen forest and high altitude forest.
Trees of the forest
The Northern sector of Bwindi is the lowest in altitude and has closed canopies with few gaps and hence little herbaceous vegetation. One of the commonest trees is the Grey Plum (parinari excelsa). A small but distinctive tree usually growing close to streams is the Giant Yellow Mulberry (Myrianthus holstii), with big palmate leaves and a fruit that resembles a small pineapple. Both species are important foods for primates. Also the streams grow tree ferns (Cyathea sp.), sometimes as tall as 10 m.
In contrast, the Southern Sector at a higher altitude, e.g. around Ruhija, has many layered canopies with gaps created by large mammals, notably elephants, and by past timber extraction and pitsawing activities.
The tallest trees, 30-40m high, grow in valley bottoms. Newtonia buchananii has very fine feathery leaves and often, spectacular root buttresses. Croton megalocarpus, an attractive tree with silvery undersides to its leaves, is one of the commonest trees at higher altitudes. On the hill-slopes it forms a canopy 30m tall together with African Olive (Olea capensis), Pillarwood (Cassipourea malosand) and other species. Ridge-crest species include East African yellow-wood (Podocarpus latifolius), Faurea saligna, Rapanea melanophloeos, and Polyscias fulva. The latter is a fast- growing tree with very long leaves, and is quick to colonize areas that have been cut or burnt. The herbaceous layer is generally intermixed with tangles of trailing herbs (Cyathula, Mimulopsis) and glades of bracken fern (Pteridium).
On hilltops, too much wind and not enough water result in a more stunted forest only about 10 m in height, including African Olive and macaranga Kilimandscharica.
Mountain bamboo (Arundinaria alpina) covers a small area (about 5 kmĀ²) southeast of Ruhija, at a height of about 2500 m.
Bwindiās Amphibians and Reptiles
28 species of frogs and toads have been recorded in the Forest; four are new records for Uganda and one of these may be new to science. They seem to be most diverse at lower elevations. Within the Park, Bwindi has a varied reptile fauna: 14 species of lizard and 14 species of snake have been found so far, some typical of East Africa and some of West Africa.
Bwindiās Butterflies
Over 200 species of butterflies are known in Bwindi. At least 8 species are endemic to the Albertine Rift and two are endangered.
Bwindiās mammals
Bwindi has at least 120 species of mammal including seven species of diurnal primates; the mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus, and LāHoestās monkeys as well as the olive baboon. Three species of nocturnal primates are also found in the forest the potto, Demidoffs galago, and the needle-clawed galago.
Monkeys
L Hoests Monkey-
Population Estimate for Bwindi: 1,140. Conservation status: Vulnerable. They are the most threatened monkey found in Bwindi.
Redtail Monkey-
Population Estimate for Bwindi: 5,500. Conservation status: Not threatened.
Blue Monkey-
Population Estimate for Bwindi: 3,100. Conservation Status: Not threatened
Black and White Colobus-
Population Estimate for Bwindi: 400. Conservation status:Not threatened
Olive Baboon-
Population Estimate for Bwindi: 1,125.Conservation status: Not threatened; wide-spread and regarded as vermin.
Bwindiās Apes
Bwindi is the only park in East Africa where both chimpanzees and gorillas occur together.
Chimpanzee
Population Estimate for Bwindi: 860. Conservation status: vulnerable.
Gorilla Permits
You should buy permits for Bwindi, in the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala. Mgahinga permits are bought from UWA-MGNP office in Kisoro, after booking in advance and paying a deposit.
Mhahinga permit, 6, per day, are bookable three months in advance , through UWA-MGNP office in Kisoro.
There are 12 permits currently available each day for Bwindi. Contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kampala for details. Email uwa-vsd@infocom.co.ug
Contact Uganda Tourist Board (UTB) or the Association of Uganda Tour operators (AUTO) for information on tours to BINP and MGNP.
Getting There
From Kampala, the best route to both Bwindi and Mgahinga is via Kabale. If you have your own vehicle, the drive from Kampala to Kabale is about 450 km of well paved road and takes 5-6 hours. The UWA information officer in Kabale can tell you about the parks, roads, accommodation, and whether Mgahingaās Nyakagezi gorilla group is currently in the park or the Congo.
The drive from Kabale to Buhoma is about 120 km on unpaved roads and takes about 3-4 hours. Head out towards Kisoro. At the first junction there will be a sign pointing you towards Buhoma. Do NOT follow the arrow pointing to Ruhija unless you intend to go that way and confirmation that the road is passable. The Buhoma route is well marked with National Park signs. It is not a direct route, but usually reliable. It approaches the park from the North, so you do not see the forest until you actually reach Buhoma.
If you are using public transport there are several different options. From Kampala, a bus leaves every day except Monday from the bush park and goes directly to Butogota. From there you can easily walk the 17 km to Buhoma gate, or take a private hire if you want to save your energy for tracking.
If you are already in Kabale the options include checking at the taxi park to see if there is a pickup going to Butogota. Otherwise look for pickups going to Kihihi, they will take you to Butogota eventually at an extra cost. The UWA information officer may be able to advise you about the costs and availability of transport.
Spend the night in Kabale in one of the numerous small hotels there, e.g White Horse Inn, Highland Hotel, Victoria Inn, Visitours Hotel or Skyblue Hotel.
Tariff Guide
Gorilla Tracking:
Non Resident US$ 250
Uganda Resident US$ 180
Ugandan Citizen US$ 50
Park Entrance Fee
Non-Resident US$15
Uganda Resident Ush 10,000
Uganda Citizen Ush 2,000
Forest Trails in Bwindi
Trekking: Due to the confusing topography and sensitive ecology of the forest, you must be accompanied by a park Guide.
1. Munyaga River Trail
The river trails begins at the end of the road in Buhoma at the forest edge, and follows Bizenga Creek until it joins the Munyaga. The path then follows the river bank through regenerating vegetation with fine views of the river and forest trees. The trail forms a semicircle, returning you to the park office. The best bird-watching is in early morning or late afternoon.
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Time: 15-20 minutes.
2. Waterfall Trail
This trail heads south on a route cleared in 1970 for a road through the forest (never completed) to Kisoro. The trail remains an important pathway for local people, tourists and researchers. After 2 km, turn left on a winding forest path that crosses the Munyaga River three times. A moderate climb through lush forest and tree ferns brings you to a series of three waterfalls, the highest with a 33 m drop. The trail then loops back through the forest to recross the Munyaga and join the road trail about 1.5 km from the park office. You may see many species of birds and monkeys on this popular hike.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Hiking Time: 3 Hours.
3. Muzabajiro Loop Trail
Starting near the Park Office, the trail climbs through regenerating vegetation along the forest edge. After entering the forest, the trail crosses the Muzabijiro creek and begins ascending through high canopy forest to the open slope of Rukubira hill, the site of a 1992 wildfire. The area is now lush with vines and silvery trunks of dead trees which offset breathtaking views of Bwindi forest, the Western Rift Valley and the Virunga Volcanoes. Although there is a chance for these views at any time, the wetter months (February-May and September-November) are recommended because the air is relatively clear of smoke and dust. The trail then descends Rukubira and returns to camp via its original route.
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Time: 3 Hours.
4. Ivi River Walk
This walk follows the āold road trailā due South through the forest ascending and descending gently through beautiful areas of rain forest, with several view points overlooking lush valleys. The trail is an important footpath for local people travelling to and from other villages particularly on market days in the village of Nteko on the southern side of the Park.
Several hours of walking will bring you to the wide Ivi river which forms the Parkās southern boundary. Monkeys, numerous birds, and even duikers can be spotted on the trail, so walk quietly and be alert.
Note: While the trail isnāt steep, walking to the river and back is a long day hike. Be prepared with enough food, water and a rain jacket. Arrange to leave the park office by 9:00 a.m
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Time: 6 hours
5. Rushura Hill Trail
At 1,915 meters (6288 ft.) Rushua hill is the highest peak around Buhoma. The trail starts at Bwindi View Canteen near the park office, and ascends steeply through cultivated fields and regenerating forest to a viewpoint on the Congo border. From the top you get sweeping views over the Western Rift Valley south to the Virunga Volcanoes. On very clear days Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountains are visible to the North. Bring plenty of drinking water and try to avoid the midday heat, as the climb can be quite strenuous.
Difficulty: Difficult
Hiking Time: 3 Hours
6. Bamboo Trail
This trail is located in the highest part of the park, rising to 2,607 meters (8560 ft) at Rwamunyonyi hill which means āplace of the birdsā in the local language. It starts along the Kabale-Rubija road in the Park and winds through scenic views of the bamboo zone. The trail heads east to the edge of the forest at Rwamunyonyi where there is a panoramic view of Mafuga Forest Reserve, Lake Bunyoni and the area around Ikumba. The walk from the road to Rwamunyonyi Hill is fairly strenuous and takes about 2 to 3 hours.
The route can be retraced forming a complete circuit of about 12 km. It is also pleasant to simply walk along he road to view birds and appreciate the forest.
Difficulty: Difficult/ Strenuous
Hiking Time: 6 Hours.
7. Mubwindi Swamp Trail
Note: This trail has restricted access. It may only be used by special arrangement with park management or the Director, ITFC.
The trail begins along the road heading east to Kabale from Ruhija. The trail branches onto a forest path that descends through a beautiful area of rain forest with several view points overlooking lush valleys and the Virunga Volcanoes. The swamp lies at 2,070 meters (6797 ft) and covers an area of about 2 kmĀ². Elephants, chimps, gorillas, bushbucks, monkeys duikers and bush pigs all live in the area. At least 119 species of bird have been recorded along the trail. You could be rewarded by seeing some of the rarer species.
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult, involves some very steep climbs.
Hiking Time: 4 hours.
Popular Searches