BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST GORILLA PARK UGANDA
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda Gorilla tracking Safari, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Park Tours include, Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Birding Tours in Uganda, Batwa pygyms cutural tours, Uganda community cultural experiences, cycling tours and walking safaris
Bwindi Impenetrable national park is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro Districts. The Park with its dense ground cover of vines and shrubs is home to the world’s endangered species of the mountain gorillas, of which they are only 880 still left in the entire world and out of this, 400 hundred, are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park remains the only park in the whole world where mountain gorillas co-exist with wild chimpanzees although there are no trekking chimps since no community has been habituated. Bwindi is one of the richest areas for flora in Eastern Africa. The forest is also sanctuary for Columbus monkeys, chimpanzees and many bird types including some endangered species. Because of its importance in protecting given bio diversities, Bwindi Impenetrable forest was recognized and up graded to a status of being a world heritage by UNESCO in 1994.
Unique Safari attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Park
Mountain gorillas/Gorilla Families
Mountain Gorillas are the main tourist’s attraction in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park is inhabited by an estimated population of about 400 individual mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), which makes up almost half of all the remaining mountain gorillas in the world living in the wild. The other half of the mountain gorilla population is housed in the nearby Virunga Mountains covering three national parks of Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda, Volcanoes in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo. A 2011 census of the mountain gorilla population in the park showed that its numbers had increased modestly from an estimated 300 individuals in 1997 to 320 individuals in 2002 to 340 individuals in 2006 to 400 in 2011.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has 11 habituated gorilla families and these are distributed in different gorilla trekking regions of the Park. Among the sectors or regions include Buhoma with three gorilla families namely Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura. Ruhija region has Oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguriro. Rushaga in the south has Mishaya, Nshongi, Busingye, Bweza and Kahungye while Nkuringo region positioned in the southern part of Bwindi has one gorilla family identified as Nkuringo.
Note that eight permits are sold on daily basis for each of these habituated Gorilla groups at UWA Headquarters in Kampala. You are requested to book at least 4 months in advance to ensure that planned dates of travel are not occupied.
Birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Park
Bwindi offers some of the finest montane forest bird watching opportunities in Africa, and is an un missable destination for any birder visiting Uganda. There are an estimated 350 bird species with 23 endemic to the Albertine Rift and 14 recorded nowhere else in Uganda. Globally threatened species such as African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimsonwing are also found here. Other birds include the Handsome Francolin; Black-billed Turaco; African Broadbill; Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters; Western Green Tinkerbird; Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds; Short-tailed and Black-faced Rufous Warblers; Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis; Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls; and Many-colored Bush-Shrike, among others.
Tourist’s activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Park
Gorilla Tracking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Gorilla trekking is main tourist activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It’s the safe destination were you can get an opportunity to trek one of the few habituated gorilla families in the Africa jungle. Depending on which region of Bwindi you are holding permits, experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the mountain slopes. The journey, through dense foliage and up steep climbs, is abundantly rewarded with the lifetime experience of viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. You will have an opportunity to be within meters of these magnificent apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities. Mountain gorillas are extremely rare with only an estimated 880 remaining in the wild. This is an experience which will stay in your mind for the rest of your life time. Mountain gorillas are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Bird Watching in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Park
Bwindi Impenetrable forest is considered Bird watchers paradise in Uganda. The park houses 350 bird species and houses 90% of all Albertine rift Endemics such as; the Short-tailed Warbler, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruer’s Rush Warbler, Wilcock’s Honey-guide, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Crimson Wing, White-tailed Blue Monarch among others, difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa. An experienced bird watcher can identify up to 100 species in single day especially in the bird endowed areas of Ruhija and Buhoma.
Batwa Cultural Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Park
This is mainly done by visitors in the evening’s hours; you can participate in captivating traditional performances presented by Women’s groups, village walks, blacksmith visits, and craft shops. Proceeds from these go directly to improve the welfare of families around the park. The activity allows you to explore the unique cultures of the local Batwa communities who are the traditional inhabitants of the areas covered famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park. The highly educative, memorable cultural tours in Bwindi can take you through various community groups.
Hiking/Nature Walks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Park
Visitors have an opportunity for a guided nature walk between Nkuringo in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to Buhoma on the opposite side of the park; Bwindi Impenetrable national park has six fanciful nature hiking trails. On all these 6 trails, you have unique opportunity to explore Bwindi Impenetrable forest park and along the trails you are rewarded with the views and sights of the various bird species, butterflies, trees species, and some other primate species .organisms. Arrange at the reception for a guide. The guide’s company is mandatory and yet offers you an excellent understanding of nature’s system at work in the park.
Cycling/Mountain Biking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Park
Mountain biking in Bwindi follows a well-maintained trail from the park headquarters at Buhoma to the Ivi River. Along this 13km trail you may see wildlife such as bushbucks, black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkeys. The six-seven hour round trip departs in the morning, and is organized by Buhoma Community Rest Camp under the “Ride for a Woman “community development initiative.
Access to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Park
Kampala to Kabale is a distance of 414 kms on bitumen surface and takes 6-7 hours. An additional 120 kms from Kabale to Buhoma Park Headquarters via Kanungu and Kanyantoorogo on Murram surface takes 3-4 hours and may require a 4WD vehicle. Kabale- Ruhija-Buhoma is 95 kilometers and takes about 3 hours. This road is not used much by the public. A 4WD vehicle is recommended.
From Entebbe, there are scheduled flights to Kihihi which is close to the northern sector of Bwindi and also flights to Kisoro which is close to the Southern sector of Bwindi. Flights to Kisoro only leave in the morning while Kihihi has both morning and afternoon departures from Entebbe. You can also do charter flights from Kajjansi Airstrip to either Kisoro or Kihihi.
MAP SHOWING HOW TO GET TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST GORILLA PARK
Where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable national park
All the four gorilla trekking regions in Bwindi are served with all categories of lodges. Each of the habituated gorilla families can be easily accessed when you spend a night or more at the various lodges that are located in this sector. It is very advisable to know the gorilla trekking sector you are to trek in so as to determine where to spend the night to avoid long hour drives early in the morning to the briefing point.
Lodges in Buhoma sector include Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, and Volcanoes Bwindi lodge, Mahogany Springs, Engage lodge and Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
Accommodations in Ruhija sector include: Chameleon hill lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Trekker’s Tarven and Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Broad Bill Forest Camp.
Some accommodations inn Nkuringo or Rushaga include; Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Clouds Lodge and Wagtail Lodge.
WHERE TO STAY ON YOUR SAFARI IN UGANDA
Cheap Affordable Kampala City Hotels Uganda
Kampala as Capital City of Uganda has a stylish collection of individually designed hotels offering first-class accommodation services across the city. Modern function spaces are flexible for conferences, exhibitions and private event use, and are equipped with WI-Fi integration and most importantly, natural daylight or high specification intelligent lighting in all suites. The city is served with all types of accommodations right from luxury/upmarket, Mid-range to Budget hotels as seen below;Kampala Serena Hotel is an inspirational blend of 5-star polish, pan-African panache, social style and business reliability. Strategically located at the Centre of Kampala Business district, Kampala Serena hotel sprawls on 7.2 acres of landscaped grounds and water gardens. An oasis of cool and green, encircled by the seven hills of Kampala, the hotel is focal point for regional, national, business ,political and social life
Entebbe Hotels Uganda
Entebbe International Airport is the main international airport in Uganda and is located near the town of Entebbe, which is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Other attractions in the area include the Entebbe Wildlife Education Center, the Entebbe Golf Course and the Sesse Islands. There are several hotels located near these attractions and within 5 minutes of the airport.Entebbe International Airport is the main international airport in Uganda and is located near the town of Entebbe, which is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Other attractions in the area include the Entebbe Wildlife Education Center, the Entebbe Golf Course and the Sesse Islands. There are several hotels located near these attractions and within 5 minutes of the airport.
Cheap Affordable Jinja Hotels Uganda
Jinja is the second largest towns in Uganda and the former industrial town of Uganda. Jinja described as adventure capital of Uganda is endowed with a number of tourist attractions and place where the world’s longest river “The Nile River” sets of its course of 90 days to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.
Jinja is located about 80kms East of Kampala Uganda’s capital city and is accessible by road, and air in small air craft and a number of tourists visit to see the sources of the Nile, to do Birding in Uganda’s Mabira forest, Bunjee jumping on the Nile, Sunset Cruise on the Nile, White water rafting and spot fishing.
This famous tourism destination in Uganda is served with number of hotels, lodges, apartments that range from budget, mid-range to luxury. All these are established to cater for all categorizes of visitor on business or leisure stay in Jinja.
Mbarara Hotels
Located on the junction to Kasese 2 kilometers from the Mbara town Centre, Lake View Mbarara Hotel is a large modern multi storied hotel set in its own serene environment. The perfect location of the park makes it a convenient stop over offering overnight accommodation to tourists travelling to and from south -Western Uganda as well as visitors to Lake Mburo National Park. Lake View Resort Hotel offers accommodation in 70 tastefully designed rooms with Adjoining Rooms for Families, Air-conditioning, and ensuite Bathroom. At Lake View Resort Hotel, you are free to choose from the hotel wide- range of Standard or Superior rooms. With over 15 years’ experience in event placement and organization, Lake View Resort has the very best venues for your conferences, board meetings, training sessions and parties in Mbarara.
Cheap Affordable Mbale Hotels Uganda
Mbale District is one of the largest districts located in eastern Uganda and is home to Uganda’s second highest mountain, the Mt. Elgon. Mbale is mainly covered by hills and a very famous agricultural town of Uganda. Mbale is mainly occupied by the Bagisu tribe and the local language used is Lugisu , though English and Swahili are also used. Mbale town is one of the towns in Uganda that receive a large population of travellers mainly hikers and those interested in cultural tourism. Below is a list of affordable hotels in Mbale, that one can choose from while on his or her next tour to Mbale.Mbale Resort Hotel is a five-star hotel situated in the Centre of Mbale town. The hotel is located within a walking distance from different places of including the Elgon Ranges, the historic Rocks precinct, Mbale Opera House and the beautiful Botanic Gardens, local market, super Markets among other places.
The hotel has 94 rooms where visitors can experience luxury Mbale accommodation. Some of the rooms have balconies with spectacular panoramic views of the Wanale, the Pool and the Amphitheater. All rooms have carpeted floors, Satellite TV, High Speed Wifi, Room service, Mini bar, Coffee and tea making facilities, Dresser and easy chair, Room telephone, Air conditioning, Hair driers and Bathrobe and slippers Mbale Resort Hotel has 3 restaurants and 2 bars
Fort Portal Town Accommodation
Fort Portal Town in western Uganda is a major tourist herb and the cleanest town in Uganda. Located in the foot hills of Mountain Rwenzori also nicked named Mountains of the Moon, Fort portal is a gateway to different national parks including Kibale, Semuliki, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, Rwenzori and Toro-Semuliki Wildlife reserves. It is famous for the stalagmites and Nyakasura waterfalls linked to the rich Chwezi culture. The area is surrounded by scenic crater lakes, beautiful tea plantations and the Rwenzori mountain ranges besides a cool climate and hospitable people boasting of the youngest and most handsome king in the world. It is also known for the Bigodi wetland sanctuary. With search attractions, comes with them a variety of hotels and below is a list of the affordable world class hotels in Fort portal. Fort Motel is one of the most popular hotels in Fort Portal, thanks to its unique location in the heart of the town. With our modern rooms and suites that feature beautiful views of the Rwenzori Mountains and endless greenery that is characteristic of Fort Portal. Our guests soon discover the unique ambiance of gracious living which is without equal in our locality.
Gulu Hotels
The hotel is conveniently situated in a quiet location just a little outside Gulu Town Center off the main road to Juba in an enticingly serene natural green environment. Wherever your final destination, whether you are travelling for business or pleasure we guarantee your satisfaction.
The hotel has 28 spacious rooms designed with your comfort in mind. The hotel rooms are distributed as 4 Executive Suites, 2 Deluxe Twin rooms, 2 Executive Deluxe rooms, 8 Suite Single rooms and 12 Deluxe Single .The rooms are fully self-contained and have features like en-suite with solar water heaters, Bath and/or showers, 21-inch color TV’s showing local and satellite channels, Intercom system, Spacious study area with reading desk and light as well as Complimentary wireless internet connection.
The hotel also has tastefully designed multipurpose hall for conferences, seminars and workshops with 200 seat capacity and air-conditioning.
PLACES TO VISIT IN UGANDA, UGANDA SAFARI ATTRACTIONS
Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds. The bird species include the black bee-eater, 11 types of king fisher, Shoebill storks and several species of falcons, eagles and other raptors.Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kob.
The park is known for its volcanic features, comprising volcanic cones and deep craters, many with crater lakes such as Lake Katwe where salt is mined. The national park has Maramagambo Forest and neighbors with Kigezi and Kyambura Game Reserves, Kibale National Park plus the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kasese lying on its north-western wing.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP Tours
Bwindi Impenetrable national park is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro Districts. The Park with its dense ground cover of vines and shrubs is home to the world’s endangered species of the mountain gorillas, of which they are only 880 still left in the entire world and out of this, 400 hundred, are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park remains the only park in the whole world where mountain gorillas co-exist with wild chimpanzees although there are no trekking chimps since no community has been habituated. Bwindi is one of the richest areas for flora in Eastern Africa. The forest is also sanctuary for Columbus monkeys, chimpanzees and many bird types including some endangered species. Because of its importance in protecting given bio diversities, Bwindi Impenetrable forest was recognized and up graded to a status of being a world heritage by UNESCO in 1994.
Mgahinga National Park Tours
Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park situated in the extreme southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district. The park is located on the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes namely; Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). Mgahinga National Park covering an area of 33.7sq.kms was gazetted in 1991 to protect and conserve the species of the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit the park’s hilly dense forests.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the parks in Uganda with an exceptional diversity of habitats, ranging from Afro-montane vegetation; plentiful bamboo vegetation to Lobelia Haegenia which supports the survival of at least 39 species of mammal and 79 birds found in the park. The Larger mammals supported in the natural habitat includes elephant, leopard, buffalo and bush pig but these are rarely seen. The famous ape species supported by the habitat involve the mountain gorilla and the less famous but equally rare and deserving of protection is the golden monkey which is found only in the Virungas and in one other forest in Rwanda. Notable bird species include the Rwenzori turaco, crowned hornbill, black kite and crowned crane.
Kibale Forest National Park Tour
Kibale National park is positioned in the two districts of Kabarole and Kamwenge in western part of Uganda. The park covers an estimated area of about 795km and it’s acknowledged to have one of Uganda’s most gorgeous tropical forests. The park was established in 1993 to help protect the large areas of natural forest that were at first managed and protected as a logged Forest Reserve. The park is the only Park in the whole of east Africa that has both montane and lowland forests. It’s also considered to the only park in Uganda the pearl of Africa that has the highest number of primates with 13 different species inhabited in the park including many families of chimpanzees and several types of Columbus monkeys. Bushbuck, waterbuck, duiker and giant forest hog may also be seen. The forests and the grasslands support abundant bird life – almost 375 species have been identified and 144 types of butterfly.
Lake Mburo National Park region tour
Mbarara district locally known as the land of milk and honey is situated in southwestern Uganda and is bordered by isingiro, Kiruhura, Sheema among other district. Because of its strategic location, Mbarara town has become a significant stop over town for travellers on Uganda safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The district is also key tourism destination in Uganda and the key tourist attractions of the district are given below;Lake Mburo National Park is situated about 240 kilometers south-west of Kampala, 30 kilometers east of Mbarara town. At first, this park was located in Mbarara town but due to the creation of new districts, the park is part of Kiruhura district. In Lake Mburo National Park one can enjoy game drives to view unique wildlife such as buffaloes, Zebras, leopards, impalas, hippos among other animals. One can as well enjoy a highly adventurous boat cruise on the lake Mburo. For travellers who are bird lovers, Lake Mburo National Park is a home to exclusive bird list including rare shoebill stock. Within Lake Mburo national Park, there many lodges where one can spend a night. These include Mihingo Lodge; Mantana tented Camp, Rwakobo Rock, Mburo Safari Lodge, Arcadia Cottages and Rwonyo Camp.
Mount Elgon National Park Tour
This is an extinct volcano located on Uganda’s eastern border with Kenya. The mountain boasts numerous interesting features including gorges, ancient caves, waterfalls and hot springs. Birdlife is abundant on the mountain although various wildlife may also be encountered. Mt. Elgon is the fourth highest mountain in Eastern Africa, with the second-highest peak in Uganda (Wagagi Peak – 4321 meters). Mt. Elgon contains crater covering over 40 kms at the top of the mountain, surrounded by a series of rugged peaks.The ascent of Mount Elgon passes through a series of roughly concentric vegetation zones. The lower slopes of the mountain are intensively farmed up to the park boundary. The first zone of natural vegetation is montane forest which runs from the park boundary up to 2500m. this is followed by bamboo and low canopy forest (2400-3000m), then high montane health (3000-3500m) which includes the giant heather (Philipea excelsia) growing up to 6m tall. Above 3500m, cold temperatures and fierce winds force the heather to give way to open moorland. Finally, above 3800m, dramatic afroalpine vegetation is found among tussock grasslands and Carex bogs. This rare and spectacular vegetation type is restricted to the upper reaches of East Africa’s highest mountains and includes the giant groundsel (Senecia elgonensis) and the endemic Lobella elgonensisi.
Kidepo National Park Tours
Kidepo National Park Tours, Wildlife tours big 5 game drive safaris in Uganda, Safari Uganda tour. Visit and dance with the Karamajong and participate in part of their culture and tradition.
This great Park is located in the rugged, semi-arid valleys of the remote Karamoja region in north eastern Uganda between the border of Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan. The park which covers 1,442square kilometers of land is arguably the most diverse fauna of any park in Uganda. With over 77 species of mammal, several of which are restricted to the Kidepo and Karamoja region, the park also has circumscribed carnivores such as the bat-eared fox, cheetah, striped hyena as well as caracal and aardwolf. Other carnivores accommodated in the park area are lion, leopard side-striped jackal, spotted hyena, and black-backed. The rarely ungulates species include the lesser and greater kudu, chandlers Mountain reedbuck, klipspringer and Guenther’s dikdik among others. Other large ungulates include elephant, Rothschild’s giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, bush pig, warthog, Capped buffalo, eland, bushbuck, hartebeest and oribi, Defassa waterbuck, Bohor reedbuck, Jsckson’s hartebeest and oribi. Five pronounced primate species are recorded in the park including the endemic Kavirondo bush baby.