Located in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi is the ultimate destination to visit if you love gorilla trekking. The 321sq.km forest is home to half of the world’s most endangered mountain gorillas. This UNESCO world heritage site is a very rich thick rain forest across the Albertine rift valley.
Location
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.
Attractions
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, rarely seen in any other place in East Africa) and 200 of butterflies. Mammals count only 30 (buffaloes, leopards, elephants). There are 324 species of tree.
Local Communities
The Bakiga and Bafumbira are the majority local people neighboring the park.
Things to Do
Gorilla tracking is the major tourist attraction which has positioned Uganda as a unique tourist destination. There are 10 habituated families of mountain gorillas (Habinyanja, Nkuringo, Rushegura, Nshongi, Mishaya, Mubare, Bitukura and Oruzogo), Gorilla filming is also possible.
To track gorillas one needs to be physically fit since its a challenging but memorable experience.
Nature walks in the park gives opportunities to see different unique bird species difficult or impossible to see any where else in east Africa, butterflies and primates like olive baboons, red tailed monkey, black and white colobus monkeys.
Nature Walks
The village tourist walk is interesting to see the typical rural homestead, local traditional healer and banana beer brewing site.
Hiking trails are open to people to sight birds, butterflies and primates, trees (along the Munyaga, Waterfall, Rushura, River Ivy and Bamboo zone trials).
Bird Watching
There are several trails that have been developed for bird watchers and these are the River Ivy 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.
Gorilla Families in Uganda
In Uganda, there are currently 8 habituated gorilla groups that are tracked by tourists. Though, it must be stressed that the eighth gorilla group in Uganda, the Nyakagezi Group based in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, is currently not bookable at Uganda Wildlife Authorities as the family have a very large range. They spend their time crossing over into Rwanda and back into Uganda. These permits are normally sold the day before tracking at the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Headquarters. Therefore, we do not recommend this family for reliable sightings.
During 2009, however, the Uganda Wildlife Authority started to habituate 2 additional gorilla groups in Bwindi: the Kahunje (Kahungye) Group (Nkuringo & Rushaga) and the Oruzogo Group (west of Ruhija). It is hoped that these 2 gorilla groups will increase the number of available gorilla permits.
Uganda’s 8 Habituated Gorilla Groups that are tracked by tourists:
Mubare Group Family
Family size: 6 members with 1 Silverback.
Location: Buhoma
Habinyanja Group Family
Family size: 20 members with 2 Silverbacks.
Location: Buhoma
Rushegura Group Family
Family size: 20 members with 1 Silverback.
Location: Buhoma
Bitukura Group Family
Family size: 13 members with 4 Silverbacks.
Location: Ruhija
Nkuringo Group Family
Family size: 18 members with 2 Silverbacks.
Location: Nkuringo
Nshongi Group Family
Family size: 25 members with 2 Silverbacks.
Location: Nshongi/Rushaga
Mishaya Group Family
Family size: 12 members with 1 Silverback.
Location: Nshongi/Rushaga
From the main headquarters in Rushaga, clients will often set off on foot or take a 30min drive to the trailhead. The Silverback Mishaya left the Nshongi Group with 9 others in July 2010 to establish the Mishaya Group.
Oruzogo Gorilla Family
Family size: 16 members including 1 silverback
Location: Buhoma – Ruhija
The Oruzogo group is one of the newest gorilla families that opened up for tourism in Bwindi National Park. This family is situated between Buhoma and Ruhija and is lead by the dominant Silverback Tibirikwata. The group consists of 16 individuals including two babies that were recently born.