Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park; Into the Realm of the Silverbacks

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was named after the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the largest rainforests in Uganda. The park is home to abundant wildlife species including 120 mammal species, 11 primate species, 350 bird species, and over 1000 different plant species.

Primates

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famously known as the best destination for gorilla trekking due to the presence of over 400 mountain gorillas. The park also harbors other rare primates like the Chimpanzees, Black, and white Colobus monkeys, rare L’Hoests’ monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and baboons among others.

chimpanzee in Bwindi

Mammals

Different mammal species that inhabit the park include forest elephants, Bush Pigs, Giant Forest hogs, Black-fronted Duikers, Yellow-backed duikers, Clawless otters, Civets, and Side stripped jackals as well as bats and rodents.

Birds

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to 350 different birds including the African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Chapin’s Flycatcher and Shelley’s Crimson wing, the African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Warbler and short-tailed warbler, the Fraser’s Eagle Owl, Western Bronzenaped Pigeon, White-bellied Robin-Chat among others.

Reptiles and Amphibians

The park harbors over 27 amphibian species including the Western Rift Leaf folding frog and Ahl’s Reed Frog as well as several reptile species such as 14 snake species, 6 chameleon species, and 14 species of lizards.

Things to do in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park is the number one activity that yields great lifetime experiences. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is one of the best tourist destinations to trek gorillas with over 400 gorilla individuals.

The basic requirement to come for gorilla trekking is a gorilla permit costing USD600 that allows you in the national park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park has four sectors including Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Ruhija all offering different gorilla experiences.

Batwa Cultural Experience

Cultural experience is one of the highlight activities in Uganda’s Bwindi National Park, where you encounter the Batwa Pygmies in the forest who were evacuated as a conservation measure of the endangered primates.

The Batwa cultural encounter exposes you to their unique dance, culture, and their traditional forest way of life.
Following the trail, the Batwa get to lead towards the forest where they demonstrate their traditional forest life such as hunting, fruit gathering, collecting honey, and performing rituals among others.

Birding Safari

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a birder’s haven harboring over 350 bird species and offers bird-watching safaris. You get a lifetime opportunity to encounter different bird species including the African Green Broadbill, Mountain Oriol, Great Blue Turaco, and Rwenzori night jar, among others.

Best time to visit.

It is crucial to note that Bwindi Impenetrable national park is open for visiting all year long, however, there are peak seasons that are so favourable such as during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February when the trekking and hiking trails are less slippery.

How to get there

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accessible either by road or by air means of transport.
By road transport means, the park is a 9-10 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe and the road trip is awe-inspiring as you have stopovers at the Equator for Photography, Lunch in Mbarara, and other stopovers to view the beautiful scenery.

While using air transport means, there are daily flights from Entebbe Airport and Kajjansi Airstrip where you can fly to Kisoro or also to Kihihi Airstrips which is about 1-2 hours and then drive to your lodge.

Safari Accommodations

Bwindi Impenetrable national park has a variety of lodges where you can stay on your gorilla trekking tour. These range from budget, midrange, and Luxury hotels which include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Four Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, and Gorilla Forest camp among others.

Gorilla Forest Camp

There you have it, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a natural enchantment haven teeming with abundant wildlife and also a sanctuary for endangered primates including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and various bird species.

Book your safari to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with Friendly Gorillas Safaris today.