Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Park at a glance:

Size: 321km².

Altitude: 1,160m - 2,607m above sea level.

Bwindi was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. The Mubare gorilla group was the first to become available for tourism in Uganda in April 1993.

As of today, over 23 groups have been habituated for tourism, with one reserved for a habituation experience in the Rushaga sector. Spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys, Bwindi is the source of five major rivers, which flow into Lake Edward.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants.

More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 500 mountain gorillas—roughly half of the world's population —with 23 habituated groups that can be tracked, as well as several solitary individuals.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to diverse animal and bird species.

This biologically diverse destination provides shelter to 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons, monkeys, and chimpanzees, as well as elephants, buffalo, and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.

The neighboring towns of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo offer an impressive array of luxury to mid-range lodges, rustic bandas, and budget campsites, as well as restaurants, Curios, and community tour services. Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa cultures through performances, workshops, museums, and village walks.

Mountain Gorilla families and sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park:

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has four trailheads/sectors: Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. Each sector offers slightly different Experiences, but the highlight remains Gorilla tracking. What sets them apart is the level of difficulty and the number of Gorilla families there.

The easiest sector to track Gorillas is the Buhoma sector, which is the oldest. Rushaga has the largest concentration of families, and one family is reserved for a habituation experience, making it ideal for mid-range travelers. Nkuringo and Ruhija are also good in their ways.

The park officials strictly handle the Gorilla tracking activity. During Gorilla tracking, you will be accompanied by the head guide and at least two armed military rangers, who are part of a team of trackers, as well as a few other tourists. The total number of trackers in the group is strictly 8, but it can sometimes be fewer, depending on the number of tourists in attendance.

Buhoma Trail Head - Northern sector

This the most famous of all sectors and the oldest Trail head in the nothern part of bwindi, it was opened in 1993 and the first family to be habituted here was mubare group and is still outstanding, other gorilla families in Buhoma sector are: Habinyanja, Rushegura, Mubare, Katwe, Binyindo and Muyambi.

This sector is a 1-hour drive to Kihihi airstrip, located south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, making it accessible for those who opt to use flight as a mode of transfer from Entebbe International Airport.

It is approximately a 5-hour drive from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and a 1-hour drive from Ishasha Sector. Out of the four sectors, it's the easiest to trek and the most convenient for older people.

Some of the activities that could be done at the park include birding, forest walks, community tours with the Batwa and Bakiga, and the waterfall trail.

Nkuringo Trail Head - Southern sector

The Nkuringo trailhead is located in the southern part of the park. The sector is home to the famous Nkuringo gorilla family, well known in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for their playful behaviors due to the presence of many Juveniles.

Nkuringo is home to 4 fully habituated gorilla families: Nkuringo, Bushaho, Christmas, and Posho. The sector is well known for its views of Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira.

One of the most challenging sectors to trek in due to the terrain, but it offers some of the best views. The sector can be easily accessed from Kigali International Airport on a scenic 3-hour drive.

Some of the activities carried out in this sector include nature walks, birding, and cultural encounters with the Batwa of Buniga and the Bakiga or bafumbira communities.

Rushaga Trail Head - Southern sector

Rushaga sector has the highest number of habituated gorilla families. It is one of the sectors where Gorilla habituation experience takes place.

It is easily accessible to travellers coming from Kigali through the Cyanika or Katuna border in Kisoro and Kabale districts, respectively, which is approximately a 3-hour drive, as opposed to the 9 to 10 hours from Uganda's main airport, Entebbe.

Apart from Gorilla tracking, Other activities offered in this sector include boat cruising on Lake Mutanda, bird watching, a cultural experience with the Batwa community, and a gorilla habituation experience.

Gorilla families here include: Busingye, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Mucunguzi, Bikingi, Nshongi, Kutu, and Rwigi.

Ruhija Trail Head - Eastern sector

Situated on the Eastern part of the park. It is suitable for travellers arriving from Kigali or who have Bunyonyi and Queen Elizabeth National Park as part of their safari through the Ishasha sector.

It is home to four habituated gorilla families, namely Oruzogo, Bitukura, Mukiza, and Kyaguriro. Out of the four sectors, it's the highest and probably the coldest.

Some of the activities carried out in this sector include cycling, mountain biking, birding, cultural encounters with the Batwa community, and nature walks.

Ruhija is generally a perfect place Trek as the way to the lodges goes through the park giving you a feel of this destination a day before your official tracking, there are instances where clients have encountred gorillas on their way to the lodge, other primates you can meet on the way include L'hoests monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, and so many others.