BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
The Impenetrable Forest Reserve was gazetted in 1942, upgraded to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1992 and recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1994. In the local Lukiga language, Bwindi actually means 'Impenetrable.' This double warning is apt, for Bwindi is all but impenetrable; 327km2 of tangled vegetation draped over a deeply fissured landscape of steep, slippery valleys and high, draughty ridges. But if the terrain is far from easy to negotiate, it is well worth the effort. A trek through this, one of Africa's most ancient rainforests, in search of the endangered mountain gorilla, ranks among the world's premier wildlife encounters.
Uganda's Mounatin Gorillas
Bwindi can be cold especially in the morning and at night. The annual average temperature range is 7°C - 20°C with the coldest period being June and July. Warm clothing is required, plus wet weather gear since Bwindi receives up to 2390mm of rain/ year. This is concentrated during two wet seasons, short rains in March-May and heavy rains in September-November. Instead of short tropical deluges, rain in Bwindi often falls as long hours of soft drizzle.
HOW TO GET THERE
Bwindi lies in south-western Uganda, about 530km from Kampala. The park can be reached by road from several directions.
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya)-Kihihi-Buhoma
This route passes the park's southerly Ishasha sector, providing the chance of a stopover to search for the famous tree-climbing lions. Bwindi is 160km from Mweya and 64km from Ishasha.
Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma
This route follows a tarmac highway to Kabale (414km) and takes 5-6 hours. The next section, which follows winding murram roads for 120km, passes through Kanungu and Kanyantorogo and takes 4-5 hrs. A 4WD vehicle is required.
Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma
This, the quickest and most direct route from Kampala, follows tarmac roads to Rukungiri (390km) followed by 82km on murram roads to Buhoma.
Kampala-Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma
The Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma segment on this route is 95 kilometres on a murram road and takes 3-4 hours. The Ruhija section is in poor condition and should only be attempted with a 4WD vehicle. The public does not frequently use this road.
Kampala-Kabale-Nkuringo
Nkuringo is 105km from Kabale. The drive takes 4 hours on a mountainous murram road. Most visitors overnight in Kisoro (80km from Kabale) before proceeding to Nkuringo. The road from Kisoro is a winding 35km that takes 1-1.5 hours. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for both approaches to Nkuringo.
Public transport
A bus runs daily from Kampala to Butogota from which a taxi can be hired for the last 17km to Buhoma. There is no public transport to Nkuringo but vehicles can be hired in Kisoro.
Air
Travellers can fly from Entebbe or Kampala (Kajjansi airfield) to the modern tarmac airstrip at Kisoro. Visitors to Buhoma can charter planes to the grass Kayonza airstrip.
windi supports a tremendous biodiversity as a result of two factors. Firstly, its slopes extend over a broad altitudinal range of 1447m to create habitats ranging from lowland forest at 1160m to rare Afromontane vegetation above 2600m. Secondly, it is extremely old. When most of Africa's forests disappeared during the arid conditions of the last ice age (12,000-18,000 years ago), Bwindi was one of a few 'refugia' that persisted.
Consequently, while most of today's forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi's vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzee, L'Hoest's, red tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboon, and Bwindi's most famous resident, th e mountain gorilla.
Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossibl e to see in any other part of East Africa. An experienced bird watcher can easily identify up to 100 species in a day!
Local people
The local people neighbouring the park are mos' and Bafumbira. Small communities of Batwa (Pygmy!) also present. The Bwindi area supports one of tt rural population densities in Uganda with 350 people/
Buhoma
Bwindi's busiest tourism site is Buhoma on the nort of the forest. It is the trailhead for tracking three gor and a wide range of accommodation is available. Tho tracking is the main attraction, a range of other wall more relaxed opportunities to spot birds and monl exploring one of Uganda's loveliest rainforests. Th can be arranged to depart in the morning at 09.00 afternoon at 14.15.
* Munyanga River Trail in the valley below Buhom an ideal short walk to view birds and primates forest edge.
* Waterfall Trail leads through one of Uganda's me tracts of rainforest, passing beneath tree ferns ferns and orchids to visit three sparkling waterfal
* Rushura Hill Trail provides expansive views ( plains of the western rift valley to the west an< days) Lake Edward and the Rwenzori to the nort
* Muzabajiro Loop Trail climbs to the summit of Rl for breathtaking views of Bwindi forest, the W Valley and the Virunga volcanoes.
* River Ivi Trail follows an old road through beaL emerging near Nkuringo on the southern edge 01 It is highly recommended for bird watchers.
Buhoma community walk and cultural performanc The local community operates a village walk which 1 three hours. This immerses visitors in village life. S include a typical homestead, the traditional healer an beer brewery. Local dance groups also perform traditional dance and music in the evenings by arrangement. Proceeds from these events are used for community development projects.
Nkuringo
As the crow flies, Buhoma is just 10 km from Bwindi's second gorilla tracking location at Nkuringo on the southern edge of the forest. However this distance is covered by the Impenetrable Forest. However this distance is covered by the Impenetrable Forest and the lovely walk between the two sites takes at least four hours. The Nkuringo trailhead lies on the isolated Nteko Ridge which enjoys grandstand views across Bwindi forest to the north and towards the Virunga volcanoes in the south.
Gorilla tracking is the primary activity at Nkuringo. Visistors should be fit as the park boundary lies in a steep valley 600m below the road. This provides good exercise before and after tracking gorillas.
Nkuringo Community
Villagers at Nkuringo operate a community walk that visits a traditional healer, rural homestead, blacksmith and brewers.
Ruhija
Visitors with their own vehicles should consider crossing the centre of the park from Buhoma park headquarters through Ruhija ( a 4 WD is essential). This ridge-top route offers vistas into deep valleys containing undisturbed rainforest. Watch out for duiker, primates and both forest and grassland bird species. At Ruhija, birders should take the three-hour hike to visit the Mubwindi swamp. Visitors may also climb through the bamboo zone to find Afromontane vegetatioin and panoramic views towards Lake Bunyonyi and Mafuga forest.
