Bwindi national park is a true rain forest found in the western side of Uganda. Tourism in this forest is based on gorilla tracking; slightly half of the mountain gorillas reside here. An estimation of 280-320 individuals living in 15 troops. Given the focus on gorillas, it came as a surprise that Bwindi harbors at least 92 mammal species.
The list consists of small mammals such as rodents, bats. But it does include eleven types of primates including a healthy chimpanzee population and five varieties of monkeys most visible is the blue monkey, black and white colobus. Of so called big five, only elephants are present a herd of 30 animals in the south eastern part of the park which is of no more than academic interest to tourists.
The park is also blessed with 345 confirmed and five unconfirmed species of birds, a high figure when compared to other national parks. Of the particular interest to birders are the 23 species endemics to the Albertine Rift and at least 14 species recorded now where elsewhere, among them the African green broadbill, white tailed blue fly catcher, brown-necked parrot and others. Among the most interesting and colorful birds that are likely to be seen by casual visitors are the harrier hawk, mountain buzzard, olive pigeon, white-headed wood hoopoe and any number of confusingly similar and greenbuls.
The famous and known Bwindi impenetrable national park can be accessed by either a flight or by road. When one uses chartered flight, you board an Aero link chartered plane from Entebbe in Kajjansi and then locate to an air strip in either Kasese or Kihihi from where a vehicle picks you and drives you to your hotel .Yet by road, it is a distance of 414 km from Kampala to Kabale on bitumen surface and takes 6-7 hours. An additional 120km from Kabale to Buhoma Park Headquarters via Kanungu and Kanyantoroogo on murram surface takes 3-4 hours and many require a 4WD vehicle. Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma is 95 kilometers and takes 3-4 hours. This road is not frequently used by the public. A 4WD is recommended.
5 Reasons Why You Should Bwindi
Safety
Bwindi is the most safe location for gorilla trekking in Africa. This is largely attributed to the peace and stability that Uganda attained the past 30 years. The last known chaos reported in Bwindi was the 1999 Attack on Tourists by the Intarahamwe Rebels from Rwanda. These rebels were followed and wiped out of Uganda by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces. Since then the country upped its security and Bwindi is the most safe location for gorilla trips.
World Heritage Site
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a World UNESCO world heritage site
Affordability
Bwindi Is the Most Affordable location where you can enjoy Gorilla Tours in the World. The park offers gorilla permits at USD600 per permit. This is very low if compared with the USD1500 charged for gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park.
Lots of Additional Attractions Await You
There are lots of additional attractions in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These include the wild chimpanzees, another resident ape in the forest, water falls, birds and lots of mammals.During your visit in Bwindi, you can engage in lots of experiences including gorilla trekking, bird watching, nature walks etc.
Gorilla Habituation
Bwindi is the only national park that offers gorilla habituation experience. You can go an experience that involves you following the mountain gorillas for up to 4 hours within the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
With all the above things noted about Bwindi national park, make gorilla trekking in Uganda to be the best destination for the activity of gorilla trekking. So if a willing or intrested in making a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda.
