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BWINDI NATIONAL PARK UGANDA
Location:
South Western Uganda, on the edge of the western
rift valley, shared by Rukungiri, Kabale and
Kisoro Districts.
Size:
331 square kilometers.
Altitude Range:
1160 metres (Ishasha gorge) - 2607 metres (Rwamunyonyi
Peak).
Annual Temperature Range:
7-20 degrees Celsius
Coldest Period:
June-July
Annual Precipitation:
1130 mm - 2390 mm
Rainfall Pattern:
Heaviest rains experienced in March - April and
September - November. Other months are generally
dry.
Local People:
Majority are Bakiga and Bafumbira, constituting
the most dense settlements in Uganda, ( 233
people/ square kilometers )
SPECIES DIVERSITY
120 species of mammals including 7 diurnal
primates and about 30 elephants. There are about
360 species of birds and over 200 species of
butterflies. This Afromontane forest has dense
under storey of fern, vines, shrubs. About 324
tree species have been recorded here, 10 of
which occur nowhere else in Uganda.
GORILLA TRACKING
This is a major tourist attraction in Bwindi.
The gorillas in Bwindi National Park have been
habituated since April 1993 and there are now
four different groups that can be visited:
Mubare group (16 gorillas; 1 silverback )
Habinyanja group (23 gorillas; 2 silverbacks)
Rushegura group (9 gorillas; 1 silverback)
Nkuring group (20 gorillas; 2 silverbacks)
Get updates from Uganda Wildlife Authority (
UWA ) Headquarters or Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park.
Eight permits per day are sold for each of these
groups at UWA Headquarters in Kampala. Book at
least 4 months (but not more than one year) in
advance to ensure that requested dates are
available.
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi can be strenuous,
therefore ensure physical fitness. Bring jungle
boots and rain jackets because the park is often
wet. Your gorilla tracking experience starts at
8:30 am local time and occasionally lasts the
whole day! For conservation reasons, visits to
the gorillas are tightly controlled.
BIRD WATCHING
Bwindi is the Bird watchers haven! It holds 348
species of birds and contains 90% of all
Albertine rift Endemics such as; the
Short-tailed Warbler, Rusty-faced woodland
Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruel’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 a day! Visit Ruhija and Buhoma
for this dream. Indicate your interest to the
guide so that appropriate early morning
departures can be arranged.
NATURE WALKS
For the visitor who has 2 or 3 days in Bwindi
the park has 4 fantastic hiking trails. On all
these trails, you have opportunities to see and
learn about primates, many species of birds,
butterflies, trees, and other organisms. Arrange
at the reception for a guide. The guide's
company is obligatory and yet affords you an
excellent understanding of nature's system at
work in the park.
THE MUNYANGA RIVER TRAIL
Is an ideal short walk for visitors with little
time to spare. Here you can see birds and
primates of the forest edge. The popular
waterfall trail provides an attractive feature
of the forest with a profusion of tree ferns,
epithetic ferns, orchids and Bwindi's colorful
array of butterflies. This trail which leads to
3 delightful crystal clear waterfalls typifies
your impression of a tropical rain forest.
THE RUSHURRA TRAIL
Commands expansive views across the western rift
valley floor. To the west, Congo's Parc
Nationale des Virungas provides a spectacular
backdrop, and on clear das Lake Edward and the
Rwenzori Mountain are visible.
THE MUZABAJIRRO TRAIL
Offer breath taking views of Bwindi Forest.
Western Rift Valley and the Virungas. On the
way, you witness hundreds of pre-historic tree
ferns. The top of this trail is a great place
for a picnic lunch.
THE RUIZI RIVER TRAIL
So far the longest in the park will occupy you
for a full day. It is highly recommended for
bird watchers.
The Trail in YOUR CAR.....
Visitors with their own 4 -wheel drive transport
should consider crossing the rugged centre of
the park through Ruhija. This transect affords
the visitor with Uganda's finest vistas of deep
undisturbed forests. Watch out for duikers,
primates and both forest and grassland bird
species. In Ruhija, visitors can take the
three-hour scenery packed hike to the Mubwindi
swamp. You may also walk to the Bamboo zone (
the only such area in the park ).
THE BAMBOO TRAIL
The Bamboo trail offers 14 vegetation types and
is one of the areas of highest diversity in the
park. At the top of this trail, you witness
panoramic views encompassing Lake Bunyonyi and
Mafuga Forest.
CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
In the evenings, participate in captivating
traditional performances presented by Women's
groups. Proceeds from these go directly to
improve the welfare of families around the park.
ACCOMMODATION
African Pearl Safaris offers a medium range
accommodation homestead.
Abercrombie and Kent have luxury tented
accommodation.
Mantana also provides fully furnished luxury
tented accommodation.
The local community operates a rest camp with
clean and simple bandas. A restaurant serving
simple traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner
is available.
RUHIJA
There is self catering guest house which is
booked in advance through Great Lakes Safaris.
KIHIHI
Savanna Resort Hotel is 40 kms to Buhoma and is
adjacent to Ishasha sector, of Queen Elizabeth
National Park.
ACCESS
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. |
