Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi forest national Park is located in Uganda’s south western Uganda. Below the equator lies the lush, mountainous forest of Bwindi Forest national Park conserves the country’s most alluring natural apes-550 mountain gorillas and half of the world’s remaining wild population-the primates. In the year of 2018 its confirmed that there are over 1000 mountain gorillas living in the volcanoe mountains that include Uganda, Rwanda and DRC all thanks to Gorilla Conservation and sustainability initiatives.
Uganda Tourists come to Bwindi forest national park- Uganda’s most popular destinations to track the magnificent apes (More than a hundred of which have been habituated) which involves an adventurous hike tracks through the mist tropical rainforests. There are over 100 other mammals to spot including forest duikers, rare monkeys, olive baboons, bushbucks and black and white colobus, monkeys, elephants. Discover incredible sighting of over 220 species of butterfly and 330 species of wild birds in the jungle.
Last updated information by Uganda wildlife Authority, Update as of December 2020, The two Gorilla habitants host 18 habituated gorilla families for human presence and while one group is reserved for research. Mountain Gorilla Families in Uganda include Mubare, Katwe, Habinyanja, Oruzongo, Kyaguriro, Rushegura, Bitukura, Muzika, Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kutu, Kahungye, Bikingi, Nkuringo, Christmas, Bushaho, Bweza, and Nyakagezi found in Mgahinga National Park.
Bwindi Forest national Park is proud home to over half of the world mountain Gorillas in the 331 square kilometers protected area.
Gorilla trekking Uganda-There’s absolutely no mistaking the bond between man and the great apes when you go gorilla trekking Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. The Gorillas are the world great apes and only half of these remaining gentle giants are found only in Uganda. Gorilla walking safaris offers guided Uganda gorilla tour safaris to Bwindi impenetrable park, Mgahinga gorilla national parks, and enjoy gorilla habituation experience in the thick rainy forest.
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Gorilla Groups In Bwindi Forest National park
Ruhija Sector
Ruhija Sector has 4 Groups, with 32 permits available
Bitukura family—habituated in 2008, 13 family members with Ndahura the dominant silverback.
Oruzogo—habituated in 2011, 22 members, 2 silverbacks with Tibirikwata as the dominant silverback
Mukiza (Kyaguliro B)—15 members with Mukiza as dominant silverback
Kyaguriro—often observed for research purposes, 9 members led by Rukina
Buhoma Sector
Buhoma sector has 4 Gorilla Groups, with 32 available permits
Mubare family—named after the Mubare hills, was the first group habituated in 1991, has 18 members and is led by Ruhondeza Silverback.
Habinyanja family—at one time had over 30 members but split, now 18 member led by Makara Silverback.
Rushegura family—split from the larger group Habinyanja group, now has 20 members led by Mwirima silverback.
Katwe—has 9 members with Katwe silverback leading the group
Nkuringo Sector
Nkuringo sector has 3 gorilla groups, with 24 permits available
Nkuringo family. leader Rafiki was killed in 2020, family has 12 members led by Rwamutwe Blackback. The hike for tracking the Nkuringo is the most challenging but undoubtedly worthwhile, as it is the most pleasing.
Christmas family—split from Nkuringo, has 6 members led by Christmas Silverback, Rafiki’s brother.
Bushao family — Family has 12 members led by Bahati Silverback.
Rushaga Sector
Rushaga has 8 gorilla groups, with 64 permits per day
Nshongi family—originally the largest group to be habituated, now has 25 members with 2 silverbacks
Mishaya family—split from Nshongi group, 10 members led by Mishaya Silverback.
Busingye family—split from Kahungye, 10 members let by Busingye Silverback.
Bweeza family—has 9 members and was habituated in 2011.
Kahungye—is the largest group with 18 members, habituated in 2011.
Bikyingi—12 members in the group and is currently being habituated.
Muchunguzi—has 8 members.
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga has got 1 gorilla family, with 8 permits available each day
Nyakagezi—has 10 members who are quite big in size.
The Gorilla rules prepare you for Gorilla trekking and gives you guidance on conservation of the mountain Gorillas. Gorilla permits can be obtained at the UWA headquarters in Kampala-Uganda’s capital city.
TRENDING UGANDA GORILLA SAFARIS
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What To See & Do In Bwindi Forest National Park
How to see a group of mountain gorillas in Bwindi forest national park tops the main reason as to why travellers on Uganda safari tour come to Bwindi impenetrable National park. On record Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest national park tops as a tourist destination experience. A big number of tourists are foreign non residents and pay for gorilla trekking experience which costs US$700 per person which involves hiking an assigned habituated group.
Gorilla Trekking is an experience that allows a guest stay with the Mountain Gorillas for an hour unlike Gorilla habituation that allows upto a max of 4 hours with the gentle giants of Bwindi forest national park. The same same route of different route would be used getting back for the Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi Forest National Park
Nature Walks In Bwindi Forest National Park
Bwindi forest national park is widely considered to support the greatest diversity of Africa’s thick forests. The Buhoma area that has more to offer than Gorilla tracking. Five different trails ranging from eight hours from Buhoma offering the opportunity to enjoy the humility of the dense forest and monkey species. There are over 190 bird species recorded in the Buhoma area.
The Munyanga River – This lies outside the national park and so a professional UWA guide is needed. It’s a short walk for visitors with little time to see the birds and Primates on time at the edge of the forest.
The Water Fall Trail– This offers an attractive feature of the forest with tree ferns, Orchids and Bwindis colorful arrays of beautiful butter flies. This trail which leads to 3 delight crystal waterfalls typifies the impression of Africa’s tropical rain forest.
The Muzabajirro Loop Trail– This trail offers breathe taking views of Bwindi Forest Western Rift Valley-Virunga. Set out to discover the hundreds of pre historic tree ferns. The top of this trail is a great place for picnic lunch over.
The Rushura Trail– This trail takes about 3hours and provides good views across the western rift valley floor. To the west-congos parc nationale des virungas provides spectacular backdrop and witness clear days.
Ruizi River Trail – Longest trail in the park that occupy you for a full day. Its highly recommended for bird watchers.
Buhoma Village Tourist Walk. This is a recent introduction-three hour stroll through Buhoma and its margins to see the customs and practices of the Bakiga and Batwa people. The route takes some varied activities such as farming, brewing local beer, dispensing traditional medicines and concludes with traditional dancing displays by community members of the Batwa or Bakiga community.
4×4 Car Trail– Set out to visit on your own with a 4 wheel drive transport should consider crossing the rugged centre of the park through Ruhija. The Transect should consider affords Uganda’s finest vistas of deep understanding forest. In Ruhija, visitors can take the three-hour scenery packed hike to the Mubwindi swamp. You may also walk to the bamboo zone.
The Bambo Trail-The Bamboo trail offers 14 vegetation types and is on the areas of highest diversity in the park. At the top of this trail, you will witness panoramic views encompassing Lake Bunyonyi and Mafuga Forest.
How To Reach Bwindi Forest National Park
Bwindi Forest national park lies on the southern highlands of Uganda next to the boarders of Rwanda and the Congo. The 331 sq.kms forest with the highest number of mountain Gorillas lies on a high altitude and can be accessed by road and air from different directions.
From Kampala By Road, Bwindi Forest National Park can be accessed by road with a 4×4 safari Landcruiser with driving time averagely 8 hours depending on lodge and gorilla group to trek. The asphalt road from Kampala goes through Mbarara and kabale as major towns with great sighting of locals, small towns, African lifestyle and stops for scenic views. If you are into more than trekking mountain Gorillas, then this is a great option for you.
Bwindi forest national park is also accessed by road from Kigali Rwanda kanombe international airport (3hours drive), Bwindi can also be accessed through kihihi from the west of Uganda and south Kisoro from Bunagana boarder.
Bwindi Forest National Park can also be accessed by Air with our flying safaris. If you have limited time of adventure in the country and can afford a little more, then Bwindi Forest National Park can be accessed with a domestic flight from Entebbe international park to Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip that takes averagely 2 hours. This option saves a lot of time and is one of our most selling option to accessing Bwindi impenetrable National Park.
Safari Lodges In Bwindi Forest National Park
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is a high end luxury Gorilla safari lodge perched above 2161m above sea level (possibly the highest lodge in Uganda) sitted on the Nteko ridge on the southern parts of Bwindi Forest National park. The Luxury Outfit lodge is a walk away from the Gorilla trailhead of Nkuringo Gorilla Family. The award winning lodge presents one of the most stunning views over the Congo and the Virunga volcanoes.
Clouds has very spacious luxury Cottages with cozy fire places, Private Buttlers, Less crowded and super great Fresh foods
Nkuringo Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge is a high midrange and luxury Gorilla Safari perched on the Nteko Ridge in close proximity to the Nkuringo family trailhead. The Gorilla Safari Lodge cottages and lounge presents a double vintage of the jaw dropping scenic views of the Bwindi forest national park and the Virunga Volcanoes on the other side.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge cottages stunning views are in addition of the cozy fireplaces, Fresh made meals, Camp fire area and a great well stocked bar.
Four Gorillas Bwindi Lodge
Four Gorillas Lodge is a semi luxury outfit located in Rushaga, at the close boundaries of the Southern sector of Bwindi Forest national park 10 minutes away from the rushaga gorilla family trailhead. Four Gorilla Lodge is a small exclusive semi luxury outfit that present serenity, forest feel, privacy and rejuvenation in Bwindi Forest National Park.
The Ensuite signature Luxury cottages are surrounded by a dense rainforest of Bwindi Forest National Park offering elegance and a cozy environment. A well stocked bar, Mouth watering meals, in a serene environment are a perfect definition of a Gorilla Safari start.
Bwindi Lodge
Bwindi Lodge is one of the finest Gorilla safari Lodges in Bwindi Forest National park. Perched in close range to the forest, The lodge presents dramatic intense views of the forest across a serene stream.
The Luxury Lodge in combination of the 9 cottages and a deluxe cottage comes with a personal butler and premium drinks to all guests staying at the Bwindi Lodge. The Lodge is also 5 minutes walk to the starting point of the Buhoma Gorilla Groups.
Mount Gahinga Lodge
Mount Gahinga Lodge is a charming Gorilla safari Lodge perched in the Foothills of The Virunga Volcanoes. Thought Mount Gahinga lodge is located in Virunga, It’s an accessible lodge for Gorilla trekking in Rushaga and Nkuringo on the southern Sector of Bwindi forest national park.
Mount Gahinga Lodge is a luxury Gorilla Trekking outfit with a cozy lounge, dinning area, beautiful gardens and super nice coxy safari cotages designed with traditional niche. Each of the luxury Bandas and Deluxe cottages Have a luxury shower, private porch, personal butler, premium drinks and absolutely a perfect location for Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest national park.
Mutanda Lake Gorilla Lodge
Perched on the peninsula penetrating into the 45m deep lake Mutanda and enveloped by the stunning views of the virunga volcanoes, Lake Mutanda resort is a perfect Place to stay for Gorilla trekking, Mountain hiking experiences and lake loungers.
Lake Mutanda prides in Luxury tents perched just on the lakeside raised on wooden platforms with the best panaromic views over the Volcanoes and their reflections in the lake.