The 330km2 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most biologically diverse rain forest on the African continent, spreading across the eastern shoulders of the Albertine Rift Valley. The UNESCO world heritage site rises across 1160m-2607m asl protecting half of the global population of the endangered mountain gorilla and variety of flora and fauna. These mountain gorillas are spread out in over 20 family groups habituated for trekking experience. Bwindi Impenetrable forest is also a top birding hotspot with a rich 360 specie checklist that includes the 23 Albertine Endemics and high altitude specialists. The 122 mammal’s species in Bwindi comprises 13-species of primates including mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, L’hoest and Blue monkey with forest elephants and forest duikers.
Quick Facts:
- Park Size: 330km2
- Elevation: 1160m-2607m
- Birds: 360 species
- Mammals: 122 species including the Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzee and more
Things to do in and around the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP
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Gorilla Tracking Experience
The major highlight for visitors to Bwindi is the life-time trek experience alongside and up-close a family of mountain gorillas in their natural rainforest home. Daily treks only 8-permits are issued to any of these groups accessed from the park’s 4 sector offices of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkulingo and Rushaga.
Trekking along the mountain gorillas do require minimum fitness levels, as the Bwindi rainforest hilly terrain is challenging especially in the rainy season where trails are muddy and wet. That mentioned, the experience of getting up-close to a bulky yet gentle silverback is considered a lifetime humbling adventure.
Mountain gorilla tracking at Bwindi is offered on two different trekking options that give visitors diverse experience with these gentle apes.
Gorilla Habituation Experience is where a small number of visitors in a company of a team of ranger researchers, trek to a semi-habituated mountain gorilla family to gain insights of its wild behavior and personalities. This behind-the-scenes experience gives you a chance to see the dedication and the delicate work of researchers and also offers an extended time for observation of these gentle apes.
This rewarding and almost full-day trek experience is more physical demanding, starting very early in the mornings to find the gorilla family leaving their nests and getting to follow along as they forage till late afternoon. These families are shy and forage in difficult forest sections completely away from the established forest trails. Limited permits are issued per day and the cost is 1500USD per person.
Ordinary Gorilla Tracking Experience tend to be shorter and rather easier as only 8 visitors trek to a well habituated gorilla family to its home range. On locating the group, an One-hour is accorded to observe, photograph and watch the different family interaction. These gorilla families are well used to visitors and less shy offering quality observation. Tracking duration at Bwindi forest vary daily but anywhere between 4-8hrs is normal.
Gorilla Tracking Permit Cost
Ordinary gorilla tracking permits cost 800USD (as of July 2024) per person for (FNR) foreign non-resident and 600USD foreign resident. These permits are attract high demand especially during the peak season therefore they ought to be booked and paid before in advance. Gorilla tracking experience require a minimum age of 15years.
What to pack for Gorilla Tracking
Mountain gorillas range high and across diverse terrain along the ridges and valleys of the Bwindi Impenetrable rain forest so on a trekking day, one needs to prepare and park well.
- Carry a rain coat or poncho, regardless of the season.
- Wear comfortable waterproof walking or hiking shoes.
- Gardening gloves are helpful as there will be lots of grabbing and handling.
- Insect repellant.
- Long pants and shirts preferably nature blending
- Remember to carry your packed lunch and drinking water (at least 2litres) on your trek day.
- From the trail head take that walking stick along to give you that third hand on the steep ridges.
- Bring along that great expectation and a sense of humor.
That said, when that moment comes, take some time to capture the experience but importantly enjoy and remember where you are!
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Bird Watching in Bwindi Forest NP
The montane highland forest of Bwindi lies within the Albertine rift endemic and a popular birding hotspot for restricted range and afro-montane specialists unique to these eco-systems. Up to 360 species including 24 Albertine Endemics are recorded here. Excellent birding trails explore forest interior where mega highlights include; African Green Broadbill, Bar-tailed Trogon, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, African Broadbill, Western Green Tinkerbird, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Ayres Hawk-Eagle, Brown-necked Parrot, Montane Oriole, beautiful Doherty Bush-shrike, Stripe-breasted Tit, Strange Weaver, Neumann’s Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Handsome Francolin and more.
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Guided Nature Walks
The UNESCO world heritage forest of Bwindi is the oldest in Africa estimated to be some 2million years, with diverse flora and fauna. Over 300 species of butterflies and tree species occur across varied vegetational zones between 1650-2650m including bamboo sections. The moist forest is also the water shed for the communities around and is also the source of several rivers. Naturalists will be rewarded with several sights and sounds on a several mini-hikes through several river gorges with beautiful ice-white waterfalls.
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Take a Batwa Cultural Experience
Around these forests is a community of Batwa, Africa’s oldest tribe that formally lived in these highland forests. Their ancient traditions and culture closely resemble the pygmies of the Congo forest and Bushman of Kalahari in the South Africa. Until conservation and modernity came these indigenous forest-dwellers were hunter gatherers living within these highland forests extending into Virunga ranges. A short guided tour to their villages connects one to their ancient rich traditions and culture and also shed light into their adopted modern lifestyle.