Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Lies in the southwest of Uganda in the present-day Kanungu district. It spans an area of approximately 32,000 hectares of land made up of a large primeval forest, actually Africa’s oldest tropical rainforest. Bwindi is known for its exceptional biodiversity encompassing more than 163 species and about 100 ferns. It is a renowned home of the mountain gorillas. It is important to note that Uganda hosts the largest section world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas and Bwindi is one of the two national parks honored by nature to have them. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a celebrated Collection of a series of biodiversity, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site to indicate how important it is to the ecosystem and deserves to be preserved at all costs.
History of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi was first gazette as a forest reserve in 1942 by the British colonial government that was in charge of Uganda at the moment. They realized the urgent need for the protection of the forest and the conservation of the diverse flora and fauna species therein. Bwindi was later transformed into an animal sanctuary in 1964 to protect the mountain gorillas after a series of research was conducted by professionals. It was not until 1992 that it was upgraded to National Park status.
The uniqueness of Bwindi impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi’s impenetrable forest stands out uniquely among other national parks in Uganda in the sense that it hosts the biggest population of the world’s only remaining Mountain gorillas. It is flocked by thousands of travelers every year with the main aim of spending time with the gentle giants and experiencing what it feels like to have them up close. The astonishing biodiversity of Bwindi further sets it apart from the rest of the national parks in the country. It is home to the oldest natural rainforest in Africa. Therefore, visitors to the park have the golden opportunity to view some of the oldest tree species that have ever existed on the African continent.
Activities done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This magnificent National Park offers the ground for exciting tourist activities to be indulged in by travelers who spare time to visit. Some of the exciting activities include;
Gorilla trekking. This is the main activity that is to say the cash cow of the National Park. The biggest percentage of the visitors to Bwindi impenetrable National Park are those seeking adventures with the gorillas.
Gorilla habituation. It is yet another exciting activity that cannot be missed. It allows travelers to spend more time with the gorillas learning and unlearning things about them. It gives a wholesome experience as compared to the usual gorilla trekking.
Batwa cultural experiences. The Batwa Traditional people inhabit the outskirts of Bwindi impenetrable National Park and they have such interesting culture and traditions associated with them. They are a source of entertainment to the visitors. They welcome guests and tell stories about their way of life and how they coexist with the mountain gorillas in the forest.
Such stories make visits to Bwindi worthwhile.
Community walks. The community walks help travelers to have a more satisfying trip after a long trek of the gorillas. Traversing through the natural vegetation and the local villages, watching the local people groom their teenagers is another rewarding moment the visitors to Bwindi’s impenetrable National Park have at their exposure.
Main attractions.
The mountain gorillas are the main attractions in Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Bwindi hosts 21 fully habituated gorilla families that are up for visits. They are scattered all over her 4 gorilla trekking sectors that is to say Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija with each sector providing unique experiences to visitors.
Bwindi is not only home to gorillas but also other species of primates especially the black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and East African rift valley endemic birds.
How to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Travelers heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kampala can access it by driving through the Kampala – Mbarara – Kanungu road. It takes about a 10-hour Drive from Kampala to Bwindi covering the 501.4 kilometer distance.
Visitors can also opt for a flight to the park by boarding from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro airstrip from where they can be picked up by tourist guides to continue with the journey to the park for exhilarating expeditions.