What to see in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Are you planning on visiting the pearl of Africa and exploring Bwindi Impenetrable National Park? Encounter Africa safaris is the tour company that will help you organize the best safari to Bwindi which is best known for being home to the highest number of Mountain gorillas in the world. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 200 butterfly species, 160 tree species, and over 346 bird species, some of which are endemic to the Albertine region and home to numerous primate species, including black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and chimpanzees. Note that Bwindi is the only area in the world where Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees still co-exist and there are about 300 chimpanzees in the national park. It is also home to other animal species, some of which include the bush duikers, giant forest hogs, elephants and bush pigs, among others.

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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO Heritage Site and one of the sites that have a remarkable forest ecosystem in the world. It is located in the southwestern part of Uganda near the border of Uganda and DRC and Rwanda and is the best place to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Some of the interesting things to see in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include the birds of Bwindi, Mountain Gorillas, chimpanzees and the communities around the national park.

Mountain Gorillas

Mountain Gorillas in Uganda offer a unique experience to tourists and this is the main attraction of tourists in Bwindi. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species and the largest remaining population in the world is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There are 19 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi and these are found in the four sectors of Bwindi and these include Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga. Mountain gorillas were almost extinct due to poaching and encroachment on the land around Bwindi. Due to conservationists and efforts from the government, rules were set up to make sure that the Mountain gorillas are protected and there is 24/7 security around the National Park.

For tourists to be able to see the Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, one needs to first purchase a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority through a tour operator. These are easy steps and it starts with you contacting the tour operator with your trek dates so that they can check for the availability of the permits. Once it has been proven that the permits are available, you will be asked to make the necessary payments for the permit and once the payment has been confirmed, the permits will be purchased on your behalf. You will also be required to send in personal details, especially a copy of your passport, especially the biodata page.

The gorilla trekking exercise starts early morning, and all tourists have to attend the briefing where they will be briefed about the rules and regulations; you will be divided into groups of 8 and assigned gorilla families to trek. The trek can take between 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the gorilla family you have been assigned is located and your physical fitness. After locating the Mountain gorillas, you will have an hour with the gorillas before heading back to the park headquarters for the awarding of certificates. Bwindi also offers a gorilla habituation experience where tourists get to spend 4 hours with the primates, and only a maximum of 4 people are allowed to participate in the exercise.

The bird species

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 300 bird species, 24 of which are endemic to the Albertine region, and these can be seen throughout the year. However, the best time is during the rainy season, from March to May and October to November, when the migratory birds are in the country. Bwindi offers great bird sightings and experiences with various bird species some of which include the African broadbill, black-billed turaco, Archer’s robin-char, Blue-headed rufous warbler, Black-faced rufous warbler, Dwarf honeyguide, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Doherty’s bush-shrike, Chapin’s flycatcher, Fraser’s eagle owl, Carruthers’s cisticola, Blue-headed sunbird, Kivu ground thrush, Grauer’s broadbill, Eastern Mountain greenbul, Mackinnon’s shrike, Lagden’s bush-shrike, Handsome Francolin, Ruwenzori Apalis, Purple-breasted sunbird, Ruwenzori Batis, Neumann’s warbler, Mountain masked Apalis, Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird, Red-chested flufftail, regal sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, white-tailed blue flycatcher, stripe-breasted tit, Shelley’s crimsoning, Ruwenzori turaco, white bellied robin-chat, yellow streaked greenbul, white-tailed crested flycatcher and yellow-eyed black flycatcher among others.

When planning a birding safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you have to carry a few essential items, which include a recognition book, a pair of binoculars to help you spot the different bird species in the forest and comfortable clothes, among others.

The waterfalls

Bwindi, being a mountainous area, is a water catchment area, and several waterfalls are found in the different parts of the national park. The best way to get to these waterfalls is by taking a guided walk through the forests. The waterfalls that can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include the following:

Muyanga River Falls: Muyanga River Falls are found in the Buhoma sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and can be reached by trekking through the Bizenga Creek, which converges with the River Muyanga. The hike to the falls starts at the Buhoma headquarters, and it takes about 1.5 kilometers to get to the waterfalls, and the water drops are 33 meters. Tourists can enjoy a guided nature walk, have great and close views of the waterfalls and spot various bird species and primates, among others.

Suma Falls: The Suma Falls are located in the Nkuringo sector, which is found in the southern part of Bwindi, and tourists have to trek through the rush forests to get to the Suma Falls. As you trek to the falls, you will have great views of bird species, butterflies, primates and the falls that fall into a deep pool below.

Bayenda Falls: The Bayenda Falls are found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the best way to get to the falls is by following the trail that goes past the Nyegyere River. This trail goes through the dense forests of Bwindi and some of the views you get to see include unique plant species, bird species and primate species. When you get to the falls, you will see the beautiful falls as they cascade down with multiple tiers.

Ivy River Falls: These are found in the Buhoma sector, and the trail to the falls leads through a dense forest, which allows tourists to spot the bird species, primates, butterflies and unique plant species.

These waterfalls act as water sources for the animal life that is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; some of the waterfalls are used for spiritual purposes by the locals living in the local communities, especially the Batwa, they attract tourists and offer nutrients within the national park. The best time to visit the waterfalls in the national park is from June to September and December to February during the dry season when the trails are easier to use and not slippery and muddy.

Cultural trips around Bwindi:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has many local communities of different tribes that live adjacent to the National Park with the notable communities being the Bakiga and Batwa communities. Combining a gorilla trekking safari with a cultural trip to the local communities and get to experience the cultural experiences that you and share with the world.

The Batwa community experience: The Batwa community/Buhoma community lies close to the national park, and it is a 3-hour’ walk for tourists from the start of the trek. The Batwa community lived for over 500,000 years in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park before they were evicted to protect the Mountain gorillas, and at the moment, many of the Batwa locals survive on tourism, some acting as porters. The Batwa people are welcoming to tourists and you get to enjoy their music performances, songs, dance and also learn about their unique hunting techniques and their different traditions. You get to shop at the handcrafts shop, participate in daily activities, and visit the community to help fund different projects, including schools, health facilities and maize mills, among others.

Nyundo Community eco-trails: The Nyundo community is one of the cultural visits that you get to see when on a safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They are believed to have been the first people to experience climate change. They used to grow their crops on the hills adjacent to Bwindi, and as a result of soil erosion, the crops started failing due to a change in the rain pattern. However, today, the rains are back to normal, and so are the mist and trees. During the Nyundo community trails, you get to visit the Backyard waterfall, which has a scenic view, visit the village blacksmith and learn how to make millet bread, crafts and local yoghurt, among others.

The Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Foundation: The foundation is located right at the border of Bwindi on a hillside and has the most amazing views of DRC. This is one of the most amazing places to have the best cultural experiences in the southwestern part of Uganda. When you visit the community, you get to learn about the Stone Age. When you visit the blacksmith known as Nicholas, pay a visit to the traditional huts that have millet grinding hats, apparatus used when making a local brew from bananas and traditional cooking pots. The guided walk will also take you to the village's traditional leader, where you get to learn more about the native medicines that are used to treat the locals and the importance of many of the leaves and trees around the park and village. The Nkuringo community also supports the Batwa community and artists when it comes to craft shops, and the orphans are trained to perform before clients and many other activities.

The Rubuguri village: The Rubuguri village is worth visiting because it is a small community that is hospitable to all its visitors. You get to take a guided walk through the swamp to get to the homesteads where you are going to meet and interact with many of the locals. Get to learn more about the lifestyle of the locals and participate in the craft making and not forgetting a visit to St Peters school where you get to interact with the pupils.

Nkuringo Cultural Centre: After gorilla trekking, take a cultural trip to Nkuringo, where the cultural Centre is found and have a fun-filled experience where you get to experience the traditional weaving lessons, drumming, dances, songs and interact with the locals to learn more about their lifestyle.

Primates

Besides gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to other primate species and this is the only place where Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees still co-exist in the world. Other primates that are found in the national park include black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, baboons, blue monkeys and many more. These can easily be spotted during a guided nature walk through Bwindi throughout the year.

Animals

Bwindi is also home to a few wild animal species and there are over 100 mammal species which can be spotted throughout the year. The presence of wild animals is one of the reasons why tourists are advised to stay in groups and not wander off on their own during a trek. Some of the animals that you can get to see include forest elephants, African golden cats, bush duikers, antelopes, forest hogs, bushbucks, and bush pigs, among others.

When to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be visited all year round; however, the best time is during the dry season from June to September and December to February. This is because many of the trek routes that are used to explore the national park are easy to use. After all, they are not muddy and slippery. The wet season from March to May and October to November is also a good time to visit Bwindi especially when planning a budget safari.

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