There are quite a number of reasons why you should visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Whether the words a national park trigger images of vigorous hike up a mountainside or unwinding, Bwindi has got you covered.
Domestic and foreign visitors alike make a journey to trek the endangered mountain gorillas and undertake forest walks. Others often take a visit to the nearby Batwa communities and many other reasons. One can’t help but feel impressed and deeply touched by mother nature and its boundless wonders after a visit to this pristine UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Uganda has numerous stunning national parks, totaling to 10, but if you ever visit the country, choose Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. If you have spent years dreaming of making a trip to the ‘Pearl of Africa’, below are some of the reasons to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Home to the World’s highest Mountain gorilla Population
It’s no secret that Bwindi is home to almost half of the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas. It has over 20 habituated gorilla families and in any sector you go, you will for sure be able to trek more than two gorilla families.
Bwindi has four sectors; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Best and more affordable gorilla trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is so far the best gorilla trekking destination, given the high population of mountain gorillas and habituated gorilla families. With over 20 habituated gorilla families, 160 gorilla permits are available per day and for only US$ 700 for gorilla permits, you can get a chance to spend one hour with the habituated gorilla families.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience
While most people can boast to have trekked mountain gorillas before, fewer will say they have undertaken the gorilla habituation experience, where tourists follow researchers to the jungles to trail these giant apes on how to live comfortably with visitors always being in their midst.
Be one of those few people because you will have up to four hours to be close to semi-wild gorillas. See how they are named and other interesting activities.
Most awe-inspiring hiking trails
Hiking is one of the perfect ways to experience the hidden beauty of Bwindi, where you will be amazed by the majesty of the tall trees as well as diversity of wildlife and bird species.
If you are planning to venture into the jungle to stretch your legs, some of the trails to try out are the Munyanga waterfall trail, the Kashasha River Trail, Bamboo Trail, Ivy River Trail, Rushura Hill Trail Mubwindi Swamp Trail, Habinyanja (Railegh) Trail and the Muzabajiro Loop Trail among others.
Variety of luxurious and affordable accommodation facilities
From trekking the mountain gorillas to undertaking forest walks, you could easily spend an entire vacation exploring the luxurious accommodation facilities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and stay in one of them.
A night in Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge or Ruhija Safari Lodge will leave you wishing to visit the Park again.
Plethora of bird species – Why Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Birders usually rejoice at the tremendous diversity of avian species within the spectacular Bwindi, that’s why the park is referred to as ‘the crown jewel’.
A birding experience in Bwindi is undeniably unforgettable because of the 23 Albertine Rift endemic species that include the handsome francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori nightjar, strange weavers, and Kivu Ground thrush among others.
Other reasons why you should visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are safety and security while trekking mountain gorillas, and the fact that it is one of the most beautiful places in the world, according to CNN Travel.
More Details on and Why Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a 321-square kilometer national park gazetted in 1993, in the southwestern Uganda. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, since 1994, is known to shelter one of the country’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests dating to more than 25,000 years back.
The park is home to more than 400 flora species and 120 mammal species including mountain gorillas, olive baboons, chimpanzees, elephants, bushbucks, leopards and duikers among others. As far as avian diversity is concerned, Bwindi Impenetrable is a haven to over 350 species of birds, including more than 23 species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley.
Up-market Safari Lodges in Bwindi
Just like its spectacular attractions, Bwindi boasts of exquisite safari lodges.
Depending on the sector you are visiting, you will be treated to a classic stay at Buhoma Lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Engagi Lodge, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. You may also opt for Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge and Mantana Tented Camp among others.
How to get there
Situated in southwestern Uganda at about 470 kilometers (8-9 hours’ drive) from Kampala city, the capital of Uganda, Bwindi can be reached by both air and road transport.
By air, scheduled flights are organized from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips, and then a shorter drive to the different sectors of the park.
By road, several routes from Kampala connect to the various sectors of the park. These routes are;
- Kampala – Kabale – Kanungu – Buhoma,
- Kampala – Ntungamo – Rukungiri – Kihihi – Buhoma,
- Kampala – Mbarara – Kabale – Nkuringo/Rushaga or
- Kampala – Kabale – Ruhija/Buhoma.
Alternatively, visitors from Queen Elizabeth National Park can connect to Bwindi’s Buhoma sector through Ishasha sector.