Coming face to face with man's second closest cousin is every traveller's dreams come true.
This can only be fulfilled with a safari to the preeminent impenetrable Bwindi national park. This national park is embroidered with stunning greenery of dense tropical rainforest. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located south western Uganda in the Rift valley at the edge of the Albertine rift near the Democratic republic of Congo. Since it occupies a vast area, it is located in three districts of Kisoro, Kabale and Kanungu.
Bwindi impenetrable national park was established in 1991 under Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA). The park is made of the diverse tropical forest comprising of the thick strands of Bamboo and hard wood boasting numerous tree species. In 1994, the park was declared a UNESCO heritage site. It is famous for protecting the endangered rare mountain gorillas and harbors over 350 bird species.
The park homes approximately half of mountain gorilla population. It homes a rare species known as Gorilla beringei beringei a renowned sub species of the Eastern gorillas. There are over 400 plant species, insect species, butterflies and a variety of wildlife that tremendously lures the hearts of tourists into visiting this park and embrace the natural beauty from its rich biodiversity.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in the distant south western and takes a travel time of 9-10 hours. It can be accessed by both road and air.
Those with a passion of travel and willingness to visit a certain tourist destination, distance shouldn't be on your worry list. Just like other parks in Uganda, Bwindi can be accessed and very safe for those who would like to indulge in gorilla tracking experience.
It can be accessed by use of a private vehicle 4WD or public means of transport (bus) via Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara road. It's even a short distance for those connecting national parks for example from Queen Elizabeth national park to Bwindi via the ishasha sector passing through kihihi town.
Travellers who prefer to reach in a short period of time and in luxury opt for air transport. What you ask for is what we present.
Booking of flights is made and set off can happen at Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi air field. Landing happens at Kisoro airstrip and kihihi airstrip close to the park and later gets transferred for check in at the lodge through a domestic vehicle.
Gorillas are the major highlights that have captivated the minds of trackers who want to get at close range and gather first-hand information. They are believed to be man's second closest cousin after the chimpanzee. They possess similar features of a human being and have 98.4% of the human DNA.
The great gigantic apes live in the dense forests of Bwindi. They are herbivorous and foliage on wild fruits, stems, roots and insects. Gorillas are ranked among the largest primate species and are encountered during 8 hours of tracking.
They are believed to be gentile but if disturbed can charge as a sigh of self-defense. They don't keep in one place and live in a group led by a silver back that is in charge of security.
The existence of this national park is based on Bwindi impenetrable forest. It comprises of an old diverse tropical forest mothering the entire park's bio diversity. This is where the adventure takes place and almost all park activities are conducted.
It has different vegetation such as the forest zone with ferns and vines, the lowland forest zone and rare tree species. The forest is thick and this makes it difficult to penetrate. The forest homes half population of the endangered wild mountain gorillas.
Bwindi impenetrable forest is among the best birding destination in Uganda. It offers a birding platform for birders to spot variety of bird species.
Bird species that are seen while on this birding expedition in the montane and lowland vegetation of Bwindi include:
This is an indigenous group of people who are believed to have lived in the forest for millennia years. With the force of government, they were vacated and made to live a normal life out of the forest.
Tourists visit their communities to learn about their ordinary culture and their life of living in the outskirts of Bwindi. A visit to the community will expose you to their traditional cultural activities such as cultural dance and drama, taste of the local cuisine, hand and craft making, tale storytelling, hunting among others.
Gorilla tracking is the best-selling activity in Uganda's tourism sector. This enticing activity is carried out in two of Uganda's national parks which include; Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park.
It involves a great search of this creature for up to 8 hours under the guidance of a professional ranger guide who will help you locate theses gorillas depending on where they were last spotted. Their habit of moving around in search of food creates a great adventure opportunity for tourists.
After encounter tourists are only allowed a one hour interaction to gather necessary information about their jungle behaviors such as how gorillas communicate, breast feed, build their shelter and how they use tools to obtain food. After this activity trackers are rewarded a certificate of tracking recognition.
This activity is a bit scary but adventurous to those who get to participate in it. It involves following up of these gentle creatures for a full day in the jungle to enable them get used to human presence.
Gorilla habituation prepares gorillas for gorilla tracking and requires a lot of patience for trackers to tame these creatures. It requires 2-3 years of habituation to declare a family ready for tracking.
Gorilla habituation is carried out in a group of 6-8 members which includes; game rangers, researchers, conservationists and trackers. These chosen specialists observe the behaviors, characters of these creatures and grant them names depending on the way they conduct themselves.
Bwindi impenetrable forests is a haven to over 350 bird species with 14 endemic birds, water birds and forest birds. Bird watching involves sighting, differentiating and naming of bird species in the wilderness.
Birders get the opportunity to spot these flying creatures basing on body shape, sound, feathers, beaks and color. Birds spotted include; Rwenzori Batis, black billed turaco, kivu ground thrush, Apalis, Black bee-eater, handsome francolin among others.
It's always a warm hospitality done by the local Batwa towards tourists who are eager to learn and spread their traditional norms. The Batwa who occupy the outskirts of the park welcome travellers and exhibit their dance and drama, share folklores and sometimes prepare their unique cuisines.
Entangle with the local people and learn about their life in the forest before they were vacated. Carry some donations to offer to these people and enhance their spirits as well feel loved.