Bwindi Impenetrable National Nark is located in southwestern Uganda. Like its name suggests, it is a thick forest and vegetation which is very difficult to penetrate even on foot. The rangers have to cut vegetation to create way for tourists visiting to track the mountain gorillas. It is true African jungle, so thick allowing little sunshine to come through the canopies and keeping the forest cool and serene. It is wonderful feeling walking in the forest being so close to nature and observing plenty of forest wildlife. Bwindi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 because its rich biodiversity hosting a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna including close to half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorilla population.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers an area of 321 sq km all of which is forested with areas having bamboo and shrubs. The forest lies on steep slippery valleys with ridges and hilltops. The weather in Bwindi is ever chilly because of the immerse canopy, you are advised to carry some warm clothing for evenings and long sleeved shirts/trousers for trekking. For the ultimate experience to anyone who chooses to trek the mountain gorillas or search for birds, butterflies or shrubs, you need to be in good physical condition to go up and down the terrain. It lies at an altitude between 1,160m-2,607m above sea level.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest is divided in different trailheads for those who want to track gorillas. The gorillas habituated for tourism are in different families based at different trailheads. When you choose to visit Bwindi, be sure to know which trailhead you have been allocated before yFou rush to book your hotel. After knowing your allocated trailhead then you can book the hotel in that location. Currently 21 gorilla families have been habituated for tourism and only 8 individuals from 15 years of age are permitted to visit a gorilla family per day. It is important to book your gorilla safari way in advance to avoid disappointment. The trail heads include; Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushanga, Nkuringo and Nyondo.
In addition to gorillas, Bwindi is a prime birding spot which was named Africa’s number one birding spot by Africa Bird Club. It is home to over 350 species of birds which include 23 Albertine Rift endemics and 14 of which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda. The species include; African Green broadbill, Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, Black billed Turaco, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds etc. The parks is home to 120 mammals’ species but are rarely seen as they hide in the thickets, they include; Elephants, duikers, buffaloes, golden cats etc. It has 11 primate species which include; black-and-white monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, De Brazza monkey, Baboons, Chimpanzee and of course the gentle giants of Bwindi: the Mountain Gorillas. It is home to over 200 butterfly species and 400 species of trees.
Access to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: There are scheduled/ charter flights from Entebbe International Airport. Otherwise, you can drive from Kampala and the route depends on the trailhead you are visiting, Kampala – Kabale – Ruhija, Kampala – Kabale – Rubuguri/Nkuringo, Kampala – Ntungamo – Rukugiri – Kihihi – Buhoma/Nyondo. You can also fly-in with the scheduled flights from Entebbe to Kihihi.
The activities to do while you visit this park include; Gorilla tracking, Bird watching, Nature and waterfalls walks, Mountain Hiking, Mountain biking, Community walks and Cultural experiences. More information on the activities.
The forest homes numerous varieties of birds that know everything there is to do with composing some of the sweetest melodies every human ear could ever treat itself to, leaving one with the perplexingly juxtaposed options of whether to try hard and whistle along, or just sit back and simply blush in awe!! Too beautiful is the harmonious churn of the falling waters of the waterfalls, one cannot help but relish the momentous flow of this somewhat surreal kind of perfection. The experience is altogether concomitant with discovery, crowding the adventurous heart with beams of long-craved satisfaction.
Individual tracking is not allowed, rather the park authority assigns guides to each tracking group to help them locate the gorilla families and also to ensure that the trackers adhere to all the tracking rules and regulations. You also need to be aware that the recommended distance between trackers and the gorillas is 7meters, although gorillas can move closer to you. There is nothing to fear even in this case. You just have to follow the instructions of your guide; which in some cases may be to slowly move down to a squatting position. You are encouraged to maintain the distance are not allowed to touch them. If you must sneeze or cough, cover your face and turn away from the gorillas, as they can catch cold and coughs from humans.
Even though Bwindi’s various trailheads can be reached by vehicle, there are no roads within the park itself, making exploration majorly possible on foot. Bwindi is aptly named the ‘impenetrable forest’; paths pass through dense vegetation and can be steep. You are thus advised to take advantage of walking sticks offered at the start of a walk.
The Gorilla trekking day
The day begins with approximately an hour of registration and briefing. Trackers are registered from 8 to 9 am at the main entrance to the park. A quick briefing follows shortly afterwards for about thirty minutes. The briefing is meant to inform the trackers on what to expect during the gorilla trek, and to equip them with basic security precautions and gorilla trekking rules. You will then be assigned a gorilla group, meet the ranger guide and start the trek into the forest. The guides will also give you the option of hiring a porter to carry your equipment and bags on the trek. A porter can be hired at about US$15 for an entire trek.
Immediately after the briefing, the trek begins for as many hours as the proximity of gorillas will permit you. The forest is usually wet and muddy with steep slopes. However, the sounds and sights of different birds and butterfly species offer a variety of form and color that satisfy you with a rare sort of happiness! The gorillas are located in different places across the forest and therefore the time taken to find one group varies and can not be estimated before. If the gorillas are located close enough, your trek will take about an hour. If the gorillas are withdrawn deep in the dense woods, the trek can go for as long as five hours. Upon reaching a given troop of Gorillas, a maximum of one hour is given for the trackers to view them. Gorillas are shy and we do not want to disturb them for long. At the end of the gorilla trek, successful trackers (those who do not retreat and give up midway the hike) are awarded with a gorilla tracking certificate recognizing them for successfully penetrating the impenetrable forest. Awesome idea!
So what are you waiting for? Book your Gorilla Trekking Experience with Ellington Safaris NOW! There are a variety of trekking options depending on the time you have, as well as your other interests. You can book yourself one of these.