Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi is highly recommended because of several factors.
Half the number of gorillas in the whole world
Bwindi impenetrable National park has approximately 400 mountain gorillas recorded by a census that was carried out late 2012. Of these 12 families have been habituated and the rest a wild gorillas that move freely in the forest. By visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you will be contributing to the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas as we look forward to have the numbers exceed the above.
12 habituated gorilla families
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a record 12 gorilla families available for tourists per day apart from one gorill family set aside for research. Kyaguriro Gorilla Family which is for research is located in North Eastern along side other gorilla families for trekking that include Bitukura and Oruzogo Gorilla families which are easily trekked from Ruhija side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Other gorilla families available for trekking include Mubare gorilla group, Hanbinyanja Gorilla family and Rushegura group. These three gorilla groups, Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura are located in the Northern side commonly known as Buhoma. Mubare Gorilla family was the first gorilla family to be habituated for gorilla trekking that started in 1993. Other groups found in the southern part of Bwindi particulary in Rushage section of Bwindi include Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye, Bweza and then Nkuringo gorilla family located in Nkuringo side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With the above gorilla families and possibly others in issuing, tourists have a record 88 gorilla permits available everyday.
Wildlife in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only park in the whole world where you will find Gorillas living with wild chimpanzees naturally. Other popular primates include the velvet monkeys and black and white colunbus monkeys that are often spotted while on your gorilla trek. While this is a forest, it has wildlife species which include foret buffaloes, elephants and others. The forest boosts of over 350 bird species of which 25 bird species are albertine endermics. Its for this reason that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was voted as one of the biding havens in the world. If you are a fun of butterflies then, Bwindi is a place to visit.
Nature at its best
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park being one of the oldest forests in the world boost of several tree species which are of interest to Botanists. Apart from trees, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a catchment area for several rives such as River Munyanga and others that have spectacular water falls that are scene when you go for a forest or nature walk. This exceplifies nature at its best.
Community Tourism
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in Kigezi region which is highly populated and whose population used to directly depend on forest resources before it was gazzetted as a national park. With Bwindi finally turned into a National Park, the government and other Non Governmental Organizations have helped the community to develop community/Village trails which exposes tourists to the real life of the local people around Bwindi. Such trails include Buhoma Village walk that takes you through banana, coffee and tea plantations, you get to visit the Medicinal Man, schools and the Batwa’s home among others. The Batwa are the poeple commonly referred to as pygmies who used to inhabit Bwindi Impenetrable National park but were relocated after the forest was turned into a national Park. For indepth understanding of the lifstyle of the Batwa, please join us for the Batwa Experience.
Close to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is 2 hours drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park particularly the southern sector known as Ishasha. This sector is popular for it tree climbing lions that can be spotted while on game drives. Remember this is nature and it is not a guarantee that you will find them all the time. Further north is the special two hour Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel which is the largest natural channel in Africa, has the highest concentration of hippos in the whole world and commands a record 600 species of birds. Other wild animale flock this channel for water all the way and there is no better experience you can get if you include Queen Elizabeth National Park after your gorilla trek. If you love chimpanzees, then take time to visit Kyambura Gorge Located in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
For more information on the above please do contact us.
