Discover an exceptional wildlife familiarity with visiting the south western Uganda where stand an olden(over 25000 years) outstanding green luxuriant bandage of massive thick tropical rain trees situated across the fault scarps of the western arm of the great east African rift valley nearby to the Albertine region – the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Derives its name due to its impenetrable (thick) nature of dark, knotted flora over concavely and complex ridged mountainous landscape.
A True Rain Forest: Uganda Gorilla Safari
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in the southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. The Impenetrable Forest Reserve was gazetted in 1932, upgraded to Bwind Impenetrable National Park in 1991 and recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The 327sqkm park is a true rain forest, spread over a series of steep ridges and slippery valleys that form the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley.
Bwindi can be cold especially in the morning and at night with the annual average temperature of 7°C – 20°C. June and July is the coldest period. Bwindi receives upto 2390mm of rain per year concentrated during two wet seasons, short rains in March-May and heavy rains in September-November. Instead of short tropical deluges, rain in Bwindi often falls as long hours of soft drizzle.
Bwindi in the local Lukiga language means ‘Impenetrable’. Without doubt your first impression of the dense jungle will be its almost audible silence. Jungle creatures are very, very shy, but, as you pick your way along the trail, through the dense undergrowth, you’ll realize the jungle is alive. Its thousands of living organisms are discreetly watching and waiting whilst you pass through their home and, from time to time, the complete tranquility will be shattered by a darting forest bird or a group of chattering monkeys leaping through the stands of ancient trees.
Mountain Gorilla tracking is the most popular activity in Bwindi Forest taking place in four locations (Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga). Bwindi harbors the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world, estimated around 400 gorillas. There are ten (10) groups eight (8) being used for active tourism and two (2) other groups are under habituation and currently being used for mock tourism. Expect to see thousands of living organisms including forest bird and group of chattering monkeys leaping through the stands of ancient trees.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four sectors:
- the northern part or Buhoma Sector in Kanungu district,
- the southern part or Rubuguri in Kisoro district
- the eastern part or Ruhija Sector in Kabale district.
- Nkuringo Sector
The forest is noted to be a habitat of about 120 mammals including several primates, reptiles, butterflies and birds among others. Primate species that can commonly be spotted include mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, black and white colobus, blue colobus monkeys , grey –cheeked mangabey, L,Hoest’s monkeys, baboons amongst others. Though there are many attractions in Bwindi, the celebrity primate is the mountain gorillas where by the forest is recorded to inhabit more than half of the world’s totals.
For birders, this thick jungle is ranked to be the number one birding spot harboring over 350 different bird species of which 23 species are the highly localized Albertine Rift endemics. Notable species include the ground hornbill.
Just outside the forest there live the ancient pygmy people of Batwa tribe who will show you the greatest level of hospitality that you won’t even hesitate not to tell your friends about.
See
The Impenetrable Forest which is over 25,000 years old is one of the most diverse forests in Africa and habours the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world estimated to be around 340 gorillas.
The forest is also home to over 120 mammal species including Primates, as Chimpanzees, Black-and-white colobus, Baboons, Red-tailed and Blue monkey, Bushpig, Giant forest hog, a small Elephant herd that live in the southeast of the park, though they are shy and rarely seen. Birders will enjoy seeking out the 23 endemic species to the Albertine Rift, and the 14 species unique to Bwindi such as the African green broadbill and Frazer’s eagle owl. Bwindi is rich in butterfly species with at least 200 species residing in the park. At least 14 species of snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, 6 chameleons species, 14 lizards, skinks and geckos.
The Bwindi area supports one of the highest rural population densities in Uganda with 350 people per sqkm. The local people neighboring the park are mostly Bakiga and Bafumbira. Small communities of Batwa (Pygmies) are also present.
Adventure Activities not to be missed;
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the most popular of all Uganda’s national parks and gorilla trekking is the main adventure activity attracting tourists! Since the forest has 14 habituated gorilla groups, this is the most reliable location for mountain gorilla trekking. each group can be tracked by only 8 tourists. Gorilla permits have to be pre-booked from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offices in Kamwokya – Kampala.
These groups can be tracked from four trailheads. The groups open for gorilla trekking are Nkuringo, Nshoji, Kahungye and Mishaya in the eastern part, Rushegura, Mubare, and Habiyanja in the northern part and Bitukura and Oruzogo in the eastern part though some of these have not yet been opened officially.
Other activities that are recommended to be engaged in on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi also include the guided forest walks that are readily available whereby the most popular trail leads you to a waterfall; for birders, this should be the first destination on your tour itenary not forgetting chimpanzee trackers and other categories of scholar and scientific researchers.
Community walks outside the forest are also always prepared that will provide you with an insight into the lives of both the Bakiga and Batwa (pygmy) peoples living beside the forest.
Once your guide has picked you from Kampala, you can also make a stopover at the Equator near Masaka Town which is an astonishing photographic spot as well as a knowledge acquisition center through the informative talks. Continue with the journey while enjoying tremendous views together with the triangular peaks of the Virunga volcanoes of Rwanda and the D.R. Congo.
Activities:
- Mountain Gorilla Tracking: This is the world’s premier wildlife encounters and the most popular activity in Bwindi taking place in four locations. The length of time it takes to go gorilla tracking depends on the movements of the gorillas as well as the weather. Slippery slopes can really slow you down! Be prepared to track from three to ten hours, but rest assured that the success rate of seeing the gorillas is almost 100%.
- Guided Village Walk: Take a guide walk to the Bakiga and Batwa community and learn about their local customs and practices. You local beer, and dispensing of the local medicine. There will also be a dance performance at the end of the visit.
- Birding: Takes place along the main trail, the Buhoma Waterfall Trail and along the bamboo zone and Mubwindi Swamp trail in Ruhija. Bwindi impenetrable forest has ideal habitat for a variety of birds, with 350 species recorded, including 23 endemics (90% of all Albertine Rift endemics) such as the Short-tailed Warbler and Blue-headed Sunbird as well as seven IUCN red data listed species. Easy to see are the African Emerald Cuckoo, Common Bulbul, African Blue and White-tailed Blue Flycatchers and Red-headed Bluebill.
- Guided Forest Walks: With Bwindi’s incredibly diverse forest, forest walks are especially rewarding if you love birding and/or butterfly watching. There are many trails to choose from that range from 30 minutes to eight hours in duration, around the Buhoma area including:
- Munyanga Waterfall Trail in the valley below Buhoma provides an ideal short walk to view birds and primates along the forest edge. It departs from Buhoma along River Ivi-Nkuringo trail and culminates in the sensational sight of the falls plummeting 33m.
- Rushura Hill Trail provides expansive views across the plains of the western rift valley to the west and on clear days Lake Edward and the Rwenzori to the north as well as the conical peeks of the Virunga Volcanoes.
- Muzabajiro Loop Trail is a 6km climbs to the summit of Rukubira Hill for breathtaking views of Bwindi forest, the Western Rift Valley and the Virunga Volcanoes.
- River Ivi Trail follows 14km old road through beautiful forest emerging near Nkuringo on the southern edge of the forest. It is highly recommended for bird watchers. The trail pases Mukempunu meaning “a place of pigs” – where wild pigs can often be found.
- The Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail takes around three to four hours, and crosses right through the park, connecting the two villages and offering impressive views of the misty hillsides as you ascend the hills towards Nkuringo. This trail can also be completed as part of the Ivi River Walk.
- The Habinyanja (Railegh) Trail After crossing the Munyaga River, it takes in a fairly steep ascent of the Habigorogoro and Riyovi Ridge overlooking Buhoma River. Found along this trail is the legendry “African Corner” named after a rock piece depicting a map of Africa. Following the steep ascent, keen hikers can enjoy a more relaxed gentle slope to the mighty Habinyanja swamp. Birders on this trail should watch out for the Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Black Duck and Black Bee Eaters, among others. The trail takes around 4-6hrs.
How to get there;
This impenetrable forest is in the south of Queen Elizabeth national park which can take 2-3 hours drive. If you are in Kabale town, it can take 1-2 hours drive or also Bwindi can be reached direct from the Uganda capital city Kampala through Mbarara which can take a nonstop drive of 6 ½ – 8 ½ hours.
Or you can travel by bus or Ugandan so called taxis (Matatu) from Kampala to Kabale for roughly Ush 15,000 and then hire a car at about 100,000 to Butogota that is 18km to Buhoma or take a pick up because most public means of transport in those regions are unpredictable.
Most routes require the use of 4×4 vehicles most especially in wet seasons and a reasonable degree of fitness as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes for most activities in the forest.
Accommodation
You can use the clean and simple bandas in Buhoma or utilize the 3 privately run campsites in the area along with some middle and up-market tented camps.
Advise for the gorilla trackers
As time for the trek is approaching, before 8:00 am you are advised first to report to the ranger station either in Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura or Nkuringo for registration depending on which group you will be tracking the gorillas with. Talk to one of the many rangers around to brief you about the activity. Let the guides take you through the trek (½ – 5 hours) into the forest while pushing your way through the undergrowth and parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas.
It will be a memorable feeling spending your time in such an impenetrable forest with the few last remaining (about 650 in the whole world) mountain gorillas our 98% close cousins.