The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large prehistoric forest and UNESCO Site located in Kanungu District, south-western Uganda. Located at the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, the forest is found at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres covering 331 square kilometres. It is 469 kilometres from Kampala city; 8.5 hours’ drive via the Equator. The forest is known for its exceptional biodiversity.
The name Bwindi is derived from the Runyakitara word Mubwindi and means “a place full of darkness”. The darkness is as a result of the rich vegetation comprised of extensive stands of bamboo, vines, ferns and other plants that hinder direct access on foot.
Bwindi is famous for the endangered mountain gorillas, with the most common activity being gorilla tracking and trekking. Did you know that mountain gorillas can only be found in 3 countries; Uganda, Rwanda and DRC? This expedition will give you the unrivaled experience of being one with these rare animals. Bwindi is home to a population of 320 mountain gorillas (more than half of their population in the world), making it the highest population in the world! Some of them are habituated, offering tracking to the visitors. Given the steep terrain of the park, one ought to be physically fit for this expedition.
The park is also home to 346 bird species, 200 butterfly species, 324 tree species and over 120 mammals and primates. The animals include; elephants, chimpanzees, baboons, buffaloes, duikers, golden cats, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, clawless otter, side-striped jackal, civet among others.
The indigenous people known as the Batwa are a community of hunter-gatherer pygmies who survive at Bwindi. This community has unique spiritual ties to the forest; which has their home for hundreds of years. A visit to their community will offer you a walk through their history as they tell tales while entertaining you. You can support this community by buying their beautiful handcrafts as mementos for yourself.
The park has also a number of luxury lodges, budget campsites, and restaurants in Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija, Mgahinga and Rushaga gorilla tracking sectors. An expedition of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one not to be missed!
