Bwindi Impenetrable National Park expands to about 331 square kilometers and it is UNESCO heritage site. Bwindi is home to unique and it is one of the best wildlife safari destinations in Uganda. There are a number of wildlife species in Bwindi impenetrable forest that allure a number of adventurous tourists interested in exclusive wildlife safari experiences in east Africa and Uganda in particular. The most popular things to see in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. From the endangered mountain gorillas to native endemic birds, a tourist taking a safari through Bwindi will be amazed with various attractions.
Top Thing to See when you Visit Bwindi this year:
- Mountain Gorillas
- Wildlife in the park
- Birds in Bwindi
- Waterfalls including Munyaga Waterfalls
Bwindi’s biodiversity is undoubtedly the most sought after in Uganda-East Africa, popularly inhabiting the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas; forest birds, plant species, reptiles, butterflies, mammals and numerous primates that can you think about. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is proud of being a home to Eastern chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoests Guenon, Baboons, Vervet monkeys, Red tailed Guenon, nocturnal prosimians, Forest elephants with hairy bodies, smaller in size, smaller tusks with one additional toe on their foot; small antelopes like Duikers, bush pigs, giant forest hogs as well as countless cats.
The major wildlife wonders one should not miss while in Bwindi include;
The Mountain Gorillas
They are endangered apes and the prime attractions in Bwindi impenetrable national park. Bwindi is a home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas on the planet with 11 habituated mountain gorilla families each family being trekked by a group of 8 tourists a day. The mountain gorillas live along the slopes of the misty forested mountains in Bwindi and trekking them offers exclusive wildlife safaris. On the day of trekking,tourists are expected to wake up in the morning and head to the park headquarters for abriefing in the morning together with their trekking gear, drinking water and packed lunch.
After the briefing, they head to the forested mountains ascending to track the gorillas,an activity that takes 1-8 hours depending on the movement of the apes in their natural wild. After meeting and staying in the presence of the gorillas for a maximum of one hour, the tourists descend back to the national park headquarters where they are given certificates of participation. The mountain gorilla trekking experience can be best enjoyed during the dry season.
Bwindi impenetrable forest is not only a habitat for mountain gorillas but also other wildlife species and its therefore a diverse ecosystem among the must visit wildlife destinations in Uganda.
The Birds
There are over 300 bird species in the jungles of Bwindi including 24 species that are endemic to the Albertine rift. While in the forest, you cannot fails to see birds like the African broadbill, fowls, Turacos like the black-billed Turacos and many others. The national park is among the major birding destinations in Uganda and therefore going there for birding can never be a regrettable idea. A pair of binoculars for clear viewing is recommended.
Bwindi’s bird species count almost 350, some of which include the African green broadbill and Shelley’s crimson wing, Francolins, Cinnamon chested bee eaters, green tinker bird, mountain and yellow streaked green buls, Mountain masked and Chestnut throated Apalises, Red faced Woodland warbler, White browed Crombec, White tailed fly catcher and Ruwenzori Batis. The park is also composed of 220 butterfly species, 27 forest frogs’ species, Chameleons, Geckos. Hiking through Bwindi, means exploring beyond gorilla trek specifically on wild primates, wildlife, birds and butterflies.
The Local Culture
The local people around this national park are the Batwa pygmies who were initial forest dwellers but because of need for conservation were forced to move out of the forest. They have unique cultural practices and usually demonstrate their hunter-gatherer skills plus traditional dance performances for the tourists. The Batwa cultural experience is very exciting memorable as you discover the unique ways of life of one of the cultural group in Uganda.
Other wildlife species in Bwindi impenetrable national park include the thick and evergreen vegetation with different types of trees that stand several meters above the ground. There are also a number of butterflies and many other small insects and reptiles in Bwindi impenetrable forest.