Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a hot spot for every traveler that comes into the country, the bio-diverse ecosystem was established as a way of protecting the critically endangered Mountain gorillas. They live freely in the natural ecosystem which is found in the south western corner of Uganda tucked along borders with Rwanda. Bwindi hosts half population of Mountain gorilla a sub species of the eastern gorilla, the forest is one of the few remaining tracts of the tropical rain forests of Uganda, gazette in 1991 and declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994. There are habituated gorilla families which can be visited anytime of the year and in any sector, the conservation area raises 1160m-2607m above sea level.
The national park is sub divided into four sectors (Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Ruhija), the forest regions are surrounded by natural beautiful vegetative cover ranging with different vegetative zones, and the bamboo forest region is the place to find the gorillas, they to feed on the forest plants, tree backs, and mushrooms. Besides the bamboo region, most of the park has got Afro- montane forest, thick herbs, and shrubs. Mountain gorillas have higher chances of survival in these different altitudinal zones, There are animals present in the conservation area including large mammals like elephants, golden cats, yellow fronted duiker, side stripped Jackal, giant forest hogs, mountain duikers, chimpanzee, and the pygmies the last short structure people in Uganda, they used to live in the forest peacefully together with other creatures.
The forest is home to over 350 species of birds that have been recorded to date, the forest birds have a registered number of 23 endemics 14 of which can only be found in Uganda for example the African green broad bill, grauer’s broadbill, white bellied robin chat, blue headed sunbirds, collared apalis to mention a few, order to enjoy the birds of the park consider bringing bin oculars and good cameras, the popular trail includes the Mubwindi and the Buhoma trail.to enjoy a safari for birds ensure to bring binoculars and be willing to stay in the wilderness for longer hours to achieve a better experience.
Popular activities of the park include the gorilla trekking in the morning with a briefing from the park rangers, in groups of eight you will be divided to track per gorilla family, the experience takes 2 or more hours depending on how far these families have moved, an hour is allowed to spend with the gorillas while observing the gorilla rules and regulations, for example keeping the 7 meter distance rule, children under the age of 15 are not allowed to track, guess with communicable disease too, besides the gorillas, there is experience culture from the Batwa community, this is the last group of short structured people in Uganda, they used to live in the forest but were eventually evicted due to conservation purposes. Birding in the national park is reputable, as it home to many bird species.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by road taking approximately +/- 8 hours’ drive from Entebbe or by flight to land in Kisoro or Kihihi the aircraft take 2 hours to arrive at the destination. There is available accommodation in ranging from the best budget to luxury example facilities include Buhoma Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, it is important to book accommodation in the sector where you have bought your gorilla permit, this goes for $700 and can be purchased from the Uganda wildlife authority through your ground handling team, permits should be bought prior to the time of tracking.