BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

Bwindi Impenetrable forest is situated 560 km south west of Kampala (8-9 hour drive) on the edge of the Western Rift Valley (Albertine rift) and is shared by Kanungu, Kabale, and Kisoro districts. The park is 331 square km and on an altitude range of 1,160 meters (Ishasha gorge) to 2607 meters (Rwamanyonyi peak) with an annual average temperature range of 7˚C-20˚C the coldest periods being June and July. The area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane communities merge. The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines, and shrubs with only a few trees hence its name, the ‘impenetrable forest’. The park was established as a safe habitat for several families of mountain gorillas; It is now the location of an important scientific conservation program.  Bwindi Impenetrable is the only forest in Africa where gorillas and chimpanzees occur together. The world population of mountain gorillas is currently estimated at 600, half of which live in Bwindi, alongside an estimated 350-400 chimpanzees, approximately 93 mammal species, 8 other species of primate and roughly 346 bird species, over 200 butterflies species, 324 tree species 10 of which occur nowhere else.

Gorilla tracking visits are limited to small groups. It is advisable to make reservations at least 3 months before your intended date of visit.
These reservations can be made through your tour operator or travel agent or directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kampala. There are nature walks taking four different hiking trails on which you have the opportunity to see primates, many bird species, butterflies, and a diversity of fauna. The Buhoma Village walk lasts about three hours and introduces you to a typical homestead, includes a visit to the traditional healer, a banana beer brewing demonstration and there are cultural performances in the evenings.