Bwindi Impentrable Forest National Park

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Bwindi Impenetrable national park, 331 kms, is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, on an altitude range from 1.160 m to 2.607m. This is a real tropical rainforest, spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys. It is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse forest in Africa. In the local language "Bwindi" (from "Mubwindi") means "dark place", referring to the impenetrable nature for human beings to the swamp located the South East of the actual Park, according to legends.

Variety of species
There are 11 species of primates, including Gorillas, chimpanzee, Hoest's, red-tailed and blue monkey, black and white Columbus, olive baboon. Particularly, Bwindi is home to 360 mountain gorillas, a half of the total remaining world population. There are 346 species of birds recorded (Bwindi contains 90% of all Albertine Rift endemics, difficult to see in any other place in East Africa) and 200 of butterflies. Mammals count only 30 (buffaloes, leopards, elephants). There are 324 species of tree.

Activities
The main activity is "gorilla tracking" to the habituated 8 families of mountain gorillas. Hiking trails are open to people to sight birds, butterflies, and primates, trees (along the Munyanga, Waterfall, Rushura, River Ivi and Bamboo zone trials). Specially recommended for bird watchers are the River Ivi and Mubwindi swamp nature walks. Cultural walk to Buhoma village community, to see the traditional homestead, the local healer, the banana brewing, handicraft and cultural performances for Batwa. The mountain biking is also evolving.

Accessibility

Bwindi can be reached from QENP in the north (2-3 hours), from Kabale to the south (1-2 hours), or from Kampala via Mbarara (6-8 hours). The roads meet at Butogota, 17km from the Buhoma entrance gate. 4x4 recommended during the rains.
There are daily bus services leaving Kampala for Butogota via Rukungiri and Kihihi .A matatu can be hired from Butogota to Buhoma the park entrance gate.
The Kabale – Ruhija- Buhoma segment on this route is 72 km on a murram road branching off at Harutenga junction on the Kabale-Kisoro road.
Air transport: Travelers can fly from Entebbe to the modern tarmac airstrip at Kihihi. Visitors to Buhoma can also charter planes to the grass Kayonza or Savannah airstrips.
Bwindi is well served by three air fields at Kayonza and Kihihi for the northern sector and Nyakabande in Kisoro for those going to track gorillas in the southern Sector (Nkuringo, Nshongi and Mshaya as well as Nyakagezi family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park).
Accommodations
There are several accommodation facilities: Gorilla forest camp, Mahogany springs, Engagi lodge, Buhoma lodge, Clouds gorilla lodge, Gorilla safari lodge, Ruhija lodge ( Luxury) Kitandara camp, Silver back lodge, Gorilla resort, Gorilla mist lodge (Mid-range) Buhoma camp, Bwindi view lodge, Nkuringo camp, Wagtail eco lodge, Marvel eco lodge (Budget)