There are so many advantages of gorilla tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and this article highlights some of them.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to half of the mountain gorilla population, with the other half residing in the Virunga Region across Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
The park is located in the southwestern part of the country.
Established in 1991, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park welcomed its first habituated gorilla family, Mubare, for tourists to trek in 1993.
The park boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including 13 species of primates, 120 species of mammals, 348 species of birds, and approximately 400 species of plants.
Gorilla Tourism Advantages
Gorilla tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has created employment opportunities. Many people have found employment in the park as game rangers, wardens, and guides.
The lodges where tourists stay have also generated employment opportunities.
Gorilla tourism has contributed to the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla doctors and researchers have been able to study and learn more about mountain gorillas through gorilla tourism. The regular presence of people trekking mountain gorillas also deters poachers.
Gorilla tourism in Bwindi has generated revenue through the sale of gorilla permits, which cost $700 per person. Uganda receives a significant amount of money annually from gorilla tourism, making tourism a major foreign exchange earner for the country.
Gorilla tourism has also helped market Uganda as a tourism destination. Through gorilla tourism, many tourists have visited other national parks in the country, such as Kidepo Valley and Queen Elizabeth, with the assistance of tour operators who promote the country.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has led to community development through the construction of roads, schools, and hospitals in the communities surrounding the park.
Mountain gorillas provide benefits not only to Bwindi but also to the ecosystem. They disperse seeds of the fruits they eat throughout the forest. When these seedlings grow, they replenish the forest and support other animals, including gorillas in the forest, as well as humans living near gorilla habitats because the plants sustain the environment.
How to Get to Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park can be reached within 8-10 hours from Kampala, the capital of Uganda, a 4-5 hour drive from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and about a 3-4 hour drive from the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Luxury or non-adventurous tourists can also fly to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrips from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield.
Best Time to Visit Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is an all-year-round destination, but some months are better than others.
The best time to visit is during the dry season from June to September and from December to February.
Cost of Gorilla Permits
Gorilla trekking permits cost $700 per person, while gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person. Children under the age of 15 years will not be allowed to trek mountain gorillas.
Tourists are also advised to book their gorilla permits at least 3 months in advance before arriving in the country because they are always in high demand.
