Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is situated in the south-western part of Uganda and is home to 13 species of primates including half of the world population of the endangered mountain gorillas that is why it has been dubbed as the primate capital of the world.
The park was established in 1991 and covers an area of 321 kilometres squared, the park boasts with 120 species of mammals, 220 species of butterflies, 163 species of trees, 27 species of frogs, 104 species of ferns and about 1000 flowering plants apart from mountain gorillas.
What to do in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the most commonly done activity in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, gorilla trekking is the most sought tourist activity in Africa though the most expensive. Bwindi has got habituated mountain gorillas that tourists visit daily and eight permits are available to trek each gorilla family. Tourists are given one hour of observation once they find mountain gorillas.
Gorilla habituation
Gorilla habituation is the process of making mountain gorillas get used to human presence and usually takes about 2-3 years of trackers and rangers visiting a gorilla family daily while observing each individual behaviour and then later name them according to each of their character. Uganda is the only country that offers gorilla habituation experience allowing tourists to join trekkers in their daily schedule of habituating gorillas.
Birding
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is home to 351 species of birds recorded with some of the species endemic to this area, some of the examples of birds include; Kivu ground thrush, dusky crimson wing, Ruwenzori nightjar, short tailed warbler, collared apalis, purple breasted sunbird, Ruwenzori Batis, dwarf honey guide, black fly catcher, strange weaver, yellow eyed fly catcher, handsome francolin and red faced woodland warbler.
Nature walks
Nature guided walks can be done at Bwindi national park apart from gorilla trekking. There are many established walking trails established from 30 minutes up to 7 hours where you will be able to spot various other primates like vevet monkeys, black and white colombus monkey, olive baboons, blue monkey and red tailed monkey among the rest with also other species of birds. Some of the trails include; waterfall trail, Rushura hill trail, Munyaga river trail, Buhoma trail, Muzabajiro loop trail and river ivy trail.
Cultural encounters
Tourists can also include cultural visits while on their tour to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Tourists can visit the Batwa people who used to live in the forest before it was established as a national park, the Batwa guides will take you through the forest and show you how they uwed to survive in the forest for shelter, medicine and food.
Best time to visit Bwindi
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be visited all year round but some months are better than the rest like from June to August and December to February.
Gorilla permits
Gorilla permits in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park cost $600 per person for trekking and $1500 for gorilla habituation.
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