Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park |
Features and
Location
Bwindi Impenetrable National park is situated in the
south western Uganda, on the edge of the Western Rift
valley known as Albertine rift and is shared by Kanungu,
Kabale and Kisoro districts. It is 331 square kilometers
n size and on an altitude range of 1,160 metres (Ishasha
gorge) to 2,607 metres temperature range is 7 C°
-20C° with the coldest period being June and July.
Of the local people neighbouring the park, the majority
are Bakiga and Bafumbira, constituting the most dense
settlements in Uganda (350 people / square Kilometre)
a few Batwa are also found.
Species
Diversity
Bwindi is home to about 340 gorillas, almost a half
of the world’s population of mountain gorillas.
There are also about 346 species of birds and over
200 species of butterflies. This afromontane forest
has dense under storey of fern, vines and shrubs.
About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10
of which occur nowhere else in Uganda.
Gorilla
Tracking
This is the major tourist activity in Bwindi, with
four (4) Gorilla groups currently available daily
for tourists. The major three are:
- Mubare group with 10 gorillas
, and I silverback was opened for tourism in 1993
- Habinyanja group with 10 gorillas,
and 1 silverback was opened in July 2002, while
- Nkuringo group with 19 gorillas,
2 silverbacks was opened for tourism in April 2004.
Booking
Gorilla Tracking
Book at least 3 months but not more than two years
in advance to ensure that requested dates are available.
Departure times: 9.00a.m and 2.15p.m
Gorilla Tracking
in Bwindi can be challenging, therefore ensure physical
fitness. Gorilla tracking experience starts at 8.30a.m
local time and can last from a few hours to a whole
day! Registration at the gate commences at 7.45 a.m.
What to bring
- Wear jungle shoes suitable for
steep muddy slopes and carry a rain jacket because
the park is often wet.
- Put on ear plugs for those who
feel uncomfortable with jungle sounds.
- Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion,
a hat (as the weather is un predictable) and insect
repellent.
- Carry packed lunch.
For conservation reasons,
visits to the gorillas are tightly controlled. The
following rules apply and must be strictly adhered
to:
- No one with a communicable disease
(e.g. Flu, diarrhoea) is allowed to enter the park.
- Stay together in a tight group
while with the gorillas, don’t surround them.
- Don’t use flashes while
photographing the gorillas.
- Don’t eat or smoke when
with the gorillas or within a distance of 2000 metres
from the gorillas.
- Turn away from the gorillas if
you have to sneeze or cough. cover your nose and
mouth in the process.
- Burry all human feaces a minimum
of one foot deep and ensure that the hole is properly
covered.
- Don’t leave litter. All
litter must be carried out of the park and disposed
off properly.
- No person under 15 years is allowed
to track gorillas.
- Don’t make loud noise or
move suddenly.
- You are allowed a maximum of I
hour with gorillas.
- Don’t spit on vegetation
or soil while in the park, use hankie or other garment.
- Your group must not be more that
6 tourists and must all be over 15 years old.
Nature Walks
For the visitor who has 2 or 3 days in Bwindi, the
park has 4 fantastic hiking trails. On all these trails,
you have opportunities to see and learn about primates,
many species of birds, butterflies, trees and other
organism. Arrange at the reception for a guide. The
guide's company is obligatory and affords you an excellent
understanding.
Book at least 3 months (but not more than two years)
of nature’s system at work in the park.
The Munyaga river
trail is an ideal short walk for visitors with little
time to spare. Here you can see birds and primates
of the forest edge.
The popular waterfall trail provides
an attractive feature of the forest with a profusion
of tree ferns, epithytic ferns, orchids and Bwindi's
colourful array of butterflies. This trail which leads
to 3 delightful crystal clear waterfalls typifies
your impression of a tropical rainforest.
The Rushura trail
commands expansive views across the western rift valley
floor. To the west, Congo’s parc Nationale des
Virunga provides a spectacular backdrop and on clear
days Edward and the Rwenzori Mountains are visible.
The 5.2 km Muzabajro Loop
trail offers breath taking views of Bwindi Forest,
Western Rift valley and the Virungas. On the way,
you witness hundreds of prehistoric tree ferns. The
top of this trail is a great place for a picnic lunch.
The River Ivi trail,
so far the longest in the park, will occupy you for
a full day. It is highly recommended for bird watchers.
 Buhoma
village Tourist Walk
The village tourist walk, takes up to three hours,
is managed by the local community and the proceeds
received here are ploughed into the community to improve
on their welfare.
The walk introduces
you to a number of interesting sites such as a typical
rural homestead, a visit to the local traditional
healer, a banana beer brewing demonstration site and
much more.
Cultural
performances
In the evenings, participate in captivating traditional
performances presented by Women and Orphan groups.
Proceeds from these g directly to improve the welfare
of the families around the park.
Hit the
trail in your car
Visitors with their own 4-wheel drive vehicles should
consider crossing the rugged centre of the park through
Ruhija. This transect affords the visitor to see Uganda’s
finest vistas of deep undisturbed forests. Watch out
for duikers, primates and both forest and grassland
bird species. At Ruhija, visitors (especially birders)
can take three – hour scenery packed hike to
the Mubwindi swamp. Visitors may also walk to the
Bamboo trail offers 14 vegetation types annd is one
of the areas of highest diversity in the park. at
the top of this trail, you witness panoramic views
encompassing L.Bunyonyi and Mafuga forest.
Bird Watching
Bwindi is the Bird watchers haven! It holds 346 species
of birds and contains 90% of all Albertine rift endemics,
difficult or impossible to see in any other part of
East Africa; and even IUCN red data listed species.
An experienced bird watcher can identify up to 100
species in a day! Visit Ruhija and Buhoma for this
dream. Indicate your interest to the park management
so that appropriate early morning departures can be
arranged.
Accommodation and meals
Buhoma Community
Camp
There are a number of choices to cater for the upmarket
as well as the budget tourists’ accommodation.
Ruhija Guest
house
This is a self Guest house which must be booked in
advance through Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kampala.
Kihihi Savanna
Resort Hotel
Savanna Resort Hotel is 43 kms to Buhoma and is adjacent
to Ishasha sector, of Queen Elizabeth National park.
Access
to Bwindi Impenetrable National park
We assume you are starting from Kampala to Kabale
is a distance of 414 km on bitumen surface and takes
6- 7 hours. Ann additional 120 km from Kabale to Buhoma
Park Headquarters via kanungu and Kanyantoroogo on
murram surface takes 3 – 4 hours and may require
a 4WD vehicle. Kabale – Ruhija – Buhoma
is 95 kilometres and takes about 3 - 4 hours. This
road is not frequently used by the public. A 4WD vehicle
is recommended.
Budgeted
transport
There is also a bus from Kampala to Butogota. Taxis
for hire are available for about $US 15 from Butogota
to Buhoma Park Headquarters. You may travel by bus
or public taxi from Kampala to Kabale. In Kabale you
can hire a car at about US$ 50, or take taxi to Butogota.
Public transport to Butogota is unpredictable, but
most common on Thursdays. Arrange in advance to be
picked from Buhoma after visit; you don’t have
your own vehicle.
Niche Africa Holidays,
being a tour operator based in this region offers
safaris in a 4x4 land cruisers to Bwindi from Kampala.
Some of the safaris are as follows:-
7 Days/ 6 Nights:
Gorilla Safari in Uganda.
4 Days / 3 Nights: Private Gorilla Tour
3 days / 2 Nights: Gorilla Safari Uganda to BwindiBwindi
Impenetrable National Park
7 Days/ 6 Nights:
Gorilla Safari in Uganda |
Trip
Highlights; Attractions include the famous
mountain gorilla and chimpanzee treks, game drives,
boat cruise and birding, and scenery. This trip is
ideal for those who want to discover interact with
the close cousins of man, the Gorillas and chimps!!!
Day 1 - Kampala - Bwindi/ Mgahinga National
Parks
After breakfast you will set off for Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas or Mgahinga
national park depending where permits will be available.
It is estimated half of the world's surviving population
of mountain Gorillas -300 live within Bwindi and Mgahinga
boundaries. Cross the Equator and continue southwards
passing through Ankole grassland, stop for long horned
Ankole cattle viewing along the road. The drive is
long but enjoyable with lunch stop on the way, arriving
late in the evening, dinner and stay overnight at
Community Bandas or Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel.
Bwindi National Park is located
in the southwestern part of the country at the edges
of Kigezi Highlands once known as Switzerland of Africa
before the drop of the Western Rift Valley. Both National
Parks offer a dramatic steeply forested landscape
and are incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous
animal trails allowing access to tourists. Among the
gorilla families that live in this forest have been
habituated for tourism and although trekking may be
strenuous the viewing of the gorillas in their natural
habitat is an experience long to be savored. Apart
from the gorillas, there are a variety of primates
to be seen including the blue monkeys, red tailed
monkeys, and black & white Colobus monkeys. The
great blue turaco is often seen and even for anon
bird watcher they are marvelous sight.
Day 2 - Gorilla
Trekking
Early morning breakfast and head for gorilla trekking
with a guide together with
other tourists group. The trek is strenuous but enjoyable.
This is the major tourist attraction in Bwindi. Carry
packed lunch with you have it at a picnic site in
the forest. The thrill of your encounter with these
gentle giants will erase your difficulties of the
potentially strenuous trek. Spend time in awe watching
gorillas go about their activities. Each encounter
is different and has it's own rewards. You are likely
to enjoy a close view of adults feeding, grooming
and resting as the youngsters frolic from vines in
a delightfully playful display. Return from tracking
gorillas, have dinner and overnight at Community Bandas
or Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel.
Day 3 - Bwindi
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
After early breakfast head for Ishasha, in the southern
sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, carry out
a game drive where you may sight tree-climbing lions.
After picnic lunch drive all the way to the northern
sector of the park stopping at baboon greeting spot,
continue and check in at a lodge. If you tracked Mgahinga,
will drive strait via Kabale and a stop on the way
for lunch and continue to Queen Elizabeth and check
in at Mweya Safari Lodge or Institute of Ecology (budget).
The evening will be at leisure dinner and overnight.
Ishasha
is dominated by acacia woodland and scrubland and
features the meandering Ishasha River banked by a
riparian forest.
Day 4 - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early morning visit Kyambura gorge and track
chimpanzees in their natural habitat. View a variety
of monkeys. After lunch take 2-hour boat/launch cruise
on Kazinga Channel. This water way connects two lakes-
Edward and George and is filled with schools of hippos,
buffaloes and elephants at the banks. Evening will
be at leisure, dinner and overnight.
Day 5 - Queen
Elizabeth National Park - Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast carryout game drive viewing
herds of elephants, buffaloes and
antelopes and some predators- lions, leopards, hyenas
etc. Watch different species of birds. Over 500 species
have been identified here making it a Mecca for bird-watchers.
They include Black-bee eater, 11 different species
of Kingfisher, several falcons, eagles and raptors.
Depart this interesting unique part of the world and
head to Kibale Forest National Park another primate
concentrated families. Check in at Toro Resort for
dinner and overnight.
Day 6 - Kibale Forest - Chimp Tracking
After an early breakfast you will be driven
to Kanyanchu park headquarters. With local guides
trek chimps Kibale National Park in their natural
habitat nestled in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains
(the famed mist shrouded "Mountains of the Moon")
In the afternoon visit the surrounding- Bigodi swamp
eco tourist site or enjoy the unique view of crater
lakes and other volcanic features. Dinner and overnight
at Toro Resort
Kibale Forest is rich in animal
life, including an astonishing 12 species of primates
including chimps in this park have been recorded,
the very localized red colobus and L'Hoest's monkeys.
Tracking the chimpanzee our 'cousin' is a very interesting
experience. The way they feed, climb trees, respond
to humans, caring for their young ones leaves an imaginative
dream to tell.
Day 7 - Kibale
- Kampala - Entebbe
After breakfast drive to Kampala or Entebbe via Mubende
stopping at interesting forest and swamp spots with
lunch on the way.
Cost: US$
2800 per person sharing
Price includes:
Meals and accommodation while on safari
Full time safari driver/guides with associated expenses
2 chimp permits per person
1 gorilla permit per person
Park entry fees, game drives, launch trips, applicable
government taxes
4x4 wheel drive vehicle with gas
Safari can be booked privately or you can opt to join
group
Excluded are:
Drinks, your bar bills, phone calls, personal insurance
and any other services of a personal nature like souvenirs
tips and laundry etc.
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