Wildlife Viewing In Bwindi Impenetrable

Wildlife Viewing In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the amazing activity that one can truly indulge in while at the park besides cultural engagement.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda . it is part of the bwindi impenetrable forest and  situated along the democratic republic of congo border next to the Virunga national park and on the edge of the Albertine rift.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is composed of 321km of both lowland and montane forest, its is accessible only on foot.

It was designated as a national park in 1991 and in 1994 , it was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site because of its ecological importance and a 10 square kilometer area was incorporated into the park. Bwindi forest became popular to the world because of gorilla trekking.

The forest is a habitat for more than half of the worlds mountain gorilla population. The mountain gorillas are highly endangered species and the forest possesses more than 360 individuals of the plausible 620 gorillas in the entire world.

They are highly endangered because of poaching , habitat loss and diseases. Bwindi is on of east Africa’s most famous parks and known to be one of Africa’s most ancient habitats dating over 25000 years back.

The park contains 120 mammal species more than any of the Uganda’s national parks although sightings are less common because of the dense forest.

On a luck day , a visitor can see forest elephants, 11 primate species including chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, African golden cat and the rare giant forest hog.

Wildlife seen in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

For several decades, the park has been recognized for its abundant wildlife and specifically being a home to over 400 of the worlds rare mountain gorillas.

Out of 880 mountain gorillas that are still living in the world , half of them are found in Bwindi impenetrable forest in  Uganda.

Mountain gorillas are scientifically called “ gorilla beringeni beringeni” and they are worldly recognized as the critically endangered species of all the primates.

Mountain gorillas form the main attraction in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and currently, there are twelve habituated gorilla groups that are designated for tourism.

There are mainly four different sectors for visitors to track the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and they include; buhoma, ruhija, rushaga and nkuringo.

PRIMATES

Visitors expectations in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are centered just on the rare mountain gorillas ; this forest is a refuge to over 120 mammals which makes it the second in position in terms of mammal species.

Wildlife viewing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park  is one of the amazing activity .

The park offers habitat to about 11 primate species which include the black and white colobus, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, baboons and chimpanzees.

Besides mountain gorillas , the eastern chimpanzees are some of the worlds endangered apes.  Bwindi also inhabits nocturnal ape species like potto, demidoff’s galago as well as the spectacled galago.

ELEPHANTS

As well, there are several forest elephants , bush pigs, giant forest hog, black fronted duikers, yellow backed duiker, clawless otter. Ivet and side striped jackal as well as bats and rodents.

BIRDS

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is a place that never leaves out birders interest unanswered; the forest is also a home to 350 unique forest birds including the 23 endemic Albertine species, 25 of them are restricted range species and 4 are world widely threatened.

Here are the most common birds to see in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park; african green broadbill, Grauers rush warbler, chapin’s flycatcher and shelley’s crimsonwing among others.

FLORA

In terms of flora, Bwindi impenetrable forest is one of the endowed places one must visit. There are over 1000 flowering species of plants including the 163 tree species and 104 ferns.

The northern side of the park is concentrated with guineo conolian flora and they comprise two internationally recognized species like brown mahogany and brazzeia longipedicelata.

Bwindi s biodiversity is still undiscovered is still undiscovered which makes it a true haven of authentic wilderness experiences in Uganda, east Africa. Despite the popular mountain gorilla experiences , Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has a range of wildlife species for tourists to enjoy.

Activities

Gorilla trekking

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half of the 1000 gorillas left in the world.

Bwindi is renowned for its mountain gorilla population. Gorilla tracking is the biggest attraction for most visitors to these parks and it is the park’s highlight.

Meeting the mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that draws visitors from all over the globe.

Trekking permits are required and must be secured in advance due to limited availability, as only a few people are allowed to visit each gorilla family daily to minimise human impact.

However, gorilla trekking involves several hours of hiking through dense jungles and even then you may not see them as they tend to move around.

The 2 to 8-hour treks take you deep into the forest to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. But if you do get to track them down, you can get real close to them as they are accustomed to humans.

Watching gorilla families interact, feed, and play at close range is a truly unforgettable encounter. Remember to book your gorilla tracking permits in advance as only a few permits are issued per day.

You can book your permits at the UWA office at Kampala or through local tour operators listed on this website.

Gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga

It is only in Uganda where you can be with a mountain gorilla family for 4 hours on a gorilla habituation experience along side with the  researchers in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Mountain gorilla habituation is a one of a kind experience in Africa. Currently,there are two gorilla families being habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park rushaga sector.

Hiking through the Forest:

The Hike through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can be one day or longer hike from the north of Bwindi to the South called Nkuringo.

There one can stay for an overnight and continue the next day down to scenic Lake Mutanda where you paddle across in a wooden dugout and continue to the town of Kisoro.

This is the most popular hike along two trails of Bwindi . There are however other trails and nature walks, ranging from easy to moderate.

Hiking through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is always done with a guide so as to ensure your safety.

Nature Walks and Hiking Trails

Bwindi isn’t just for gorilla trekkers. The park offers a range of hiking trails that vary in difficulty and length, allowing visitors to explore its diverse ecosystems, from waterfalls and swamps to high altitude ridges.

Popular trails include the Munyaga River Trail, ideal for spotting primates and forest birds.

The Rushura Hill Trail, offers panoramic views of the forest, lakes, and even distant peaks of the Virunga Mountains.

These guided nature walks provide a peaceful way to explore the forest’s biodiversity and discover its hidden beauty beyond the gorillas.

Bird Watching

The diverse habitats in Uganda’s most ancient forest imply that is the perfect habitat for a diversity of bird species, with about 350 recorded different species, with 23 endemics.

With over 350 bird species, including 23 species endemic to the Albertine Rift, Bwindi is a top destination for bird watchers.

Some rare species that can be spotted in the park include the African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimsonwing, and the Grauer’s swamp warbler.

The forest’s diverse birdlife thrives in the dense undergrowth and high canopies, offering birding enthusiasts unique opportunities to spot rare species, many of which are difficult to find elsewhere.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a casual enthusiast, Bwindi’s trails offer excellent vantage points for birding.

Batwa Cultural Experience

For those interested in learning about the local culture, the Batwa Pygmies, one of the oldest indigenous groups in the region, offer an immersive cultural experience.

The Batwa lived in the forest as hunter-gatherers for centuries before it became a national park. Visitors can join guided tours led by the Batwa themselves, where you’ll learn about their traditional way of life, survival skills, and deep connection to the forest.

The pygmies experience includes performances of traditional songs and dances, demonstrations of hunting techniques, and storytelling that gives insight into their ancient culture.

The Batwa forest experience

The original people of the forest were the batwa, they were there for thousands of years before the Bantu People, the Cultivators of the Land arrived.

The Batwa people were hunter, fruit gatherers and lived in the forests of Southwestern Uganda and beyond. They left a small ecological footprint on the forest and lived in harmony with nature.

You can visit the forest (actually outside of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) with the Batwa People and learn of their traditional ways of hunting and gathering besides wildlife viewing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The Buhoma Village Walk

Besides wildlife viewing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,you can have a 3 hour cultural walk through the village. Learn the ways and culture of the people that live in Buhoma area on the edge of Bwindi Forest.

The Village Walk is with a guide who is friendly and knowledgeable about local culture and customs.

Experience  how the people make local crafts such as baskets with the most intricate designs, beer made from Bananas, and a distillery that makes the local Waragi Gin from Bananas.

Meet a traditional healer and learn of what is gathered in the ancient forest and how it is taken and applied to ailments.

See how the growing of local produce is done and harvested, food preparation over charcoal or open fire, visit a school, and meet the batwa pygmy community as they perform a dance for you.

It is certainly a cultural learning experience and the cost of the walk supports the local community,so that is a win win for everyone.

Butterfly and Other Wildlife Viewing

While gorillas are Bwindi’s primary residents, the park also supports many wildlife and wildlife viewing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is magical, such as forest elephants, chimpanzees, monkeys, and various antelope species.

Bwindi forest is also home to over 220 species of butterflies, adding to its vibrant biodiversity.

Exploring the park’s trails allows you to encounter this rich array of wildlife, with different species revealing themselves at various times of day.

Cycling tours

The mountain bike ride ventures in Bwindi are managed by a woman’s group which offers trained guides, a repair shop  for these bikes and every participant that helps in this program receives direct reimbursement from visitors to Buhoma enjoying a ride on the bike.

Mountain bike rides in Buhoma area

Ride 4 a Woman which is a community support group offers mountain bike rentals and guided bike in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Buhoma area of the park.

You can even do the Village Walk on a bike with guide.  There are Birding Bike Rides, or simply a ride into the Forest such as the Ivy River Trail.

The average Bike Ride is 3 hours or longer in length with much to see along the trail or road.

The guides are all well-trained, some specialize in birding, others in culture but all know Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which they all love and want to conserve.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest is more than a gorilla tracking destination it’s a source for memorable refreshing experiences. Book your amazing  trip with us where every trip is a story.

Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

There are different ways through which one can reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park . You can choose to use road transport which is a little bit longer or use the air.

One  can fly into Kigali Rwanda and 3 hours later be in the Rushaga Region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla tracking experience.