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BWINDI IMPENETRABLE
NATIONAL PARK
About the park
Location :
South Western
Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro Districts.
Size : 331 square kilometres.
Altitude Range :
1160 metres (Ishasha gorge) 2607 metres (Rwamunyonyi Peak).
Annual Temperature Range :
7-20 degrees Celcius
Coldest Period :
June-July
Annual Precipitation :
1130 mm - 2390 mm
Rainfall Pattern :
Heaviest rains experienced in March-April and September - November. Other
months are generally dry.
Local People :
Majority
are Bakiga and Bafumbira, constituting the mostdense settlements in
Uganda, ( 233 people/ square kilometers )
Species Diversity
120 species of mammals
including 7 diurnal primates and about 30 elephants. There are
about 360 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies.
This afromontane forest has dense under storey of fern, vines,
shrubs. About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10 of
which occur nowhere else in Uganda.
GORILLA TRACKING
This is a major tourist
attraction in Bwindi. Two gorillas groups are currently
available to be visited on daily basis. Mubare group ( 16
gorillas; 1 silverback ) was opened for tourism in 1993, while
Habinyanja group ( 23 gorillas, 2 silver backs ) was ready in
July 1998. A third group of gorillas ( 17 members, 2 silver back
) is due to open for tourism soon. Get updates from Uganda
Wildlife Authority ( UWA ) Headquarters or Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park.
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Six permits per day are
sold for each of these groups at UWA Headquarters in Kampala.
Book at least 3 months ( but not more than one year ) in advance
to ensure that requested dates are available.
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Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi
can be strenuous, therefore ensure physical fitness. Bring
jungle boots and rain jackets because the park is often wet.
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Your gorilla tracking
experience starts at 8:30 am local time and occasionally lasts
the whole day!
For Conservation reasons,
visits to the gorillas are tightly controlled.
The following rules apply
and must be strictly adhered to:-
BIRD WATCHING
Bwindi is the Bird watchers
haven ! It holds 348 species of birds and contains 90% of all
Albertine rift Endemics such as; the Short-tailed Warbler,
Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruer's Rush
Warbler, Wilcock's Honey-guide, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher,
Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Crimson Wing, White-tailed Blue
Monarch among others, difficult or impossible to see in any
other part of EastAfrica.
An experienced bird watcher
can identify up to 100 species in a day! Visit Ruhija and Buhoma
for this dream. Indicate your interest to the guide so that
appropriate early morning departures can be arranged.
NATURE WALKS
For the visitor who has 2
or 3 days in Bwindi the park has 4 fantastic hiking trails. On
all these trails, you have opportunities to see and learn about
primates, many species of birds, butterflies, trees, and other
organisms. Arrange at the reception for a guide. The guide's
company is obligatory and yet affords you an excellent
understanding of nature's system at work in the park.
THE MUNYANGA RIVER TRAIL
Is an ideal short walk for
visitors with little time to spare. Here you can see birds and
primates of the forest edge. The popular waterfall trail
provides an attractive feature of the forest with a profusion of
tree ferns, epithetic ferns, orchids and Bwindi's colourful
array of butterflies. This trail which leads to 3 delightful
crystal clear waterfalls typifies your impression of a tropical
rain forest.
THE RUSHURRA TRAIL
Commands expansive views
across the western rift valley floor. To the west, Congo's Parc
Nationale des Virungas provides a spectacular backdrop, and on
clear das Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountain are visible.
THE MUZABAJIRRO TRAIL
Offer breath taking views
of Bwindi Forest. Western Rift Valley and the Virungas. On the
way, you witness hundreds of pre-historic tree ferns. The top of
this trail is a great place for a picnic lunch.
THE RUIZI RIVER TRAIL
So far the longest in the
park will occupy you for a full day. It is highly recommended
for bird watchers.
The Trail in YOUR CAR.....Visitors with their own 4
-wheel drive transport should consider crossing the rugged
centre of the park through Ruhija. This transect affords the
visitor with Uganda's finest vistas of deep undisturbed forests.
Watch out for duikers, primates and both forest and grassland
bird species. In Ruhija, visitors can take the three-hour
scenery packed hike to the Mubwindi swamp. You may also walk to
the Bamboo zone ( the only such area in the park ).
THE BAMBOO TRAIL
The Bamboo trail offers 14
vegetation types and is one of the areas of highest diversity in
the park. At the top of this trail, you witness panoramic views
encompassing L. Bunyonyi and Mafuga forest.
CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
In the evenings,
participate in captivating traditional performances presented by
Women's groups. Proceeds from these go directly to improve the
welfare of families around the park.
ACCOMMODATION
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African Pearl Safaris
offers a medium range accommodation homestead.
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Abercrombie and Kent has
luxury tented accommodation.
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Mantana also provides
fully furnished luxury tented accommodation.
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The Local community
operate a Rest camp with clean and simple Bandas.
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A restaurant serving simple
traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner is available.
KIHIHI
Savanna Resort Hotel is 40
kms to Buhoma and is adjacent to Ishasha sector, of Queen
Elizabeth National Park.
ACCESS
Kampala to Kabale is a
distance of 414 kms on bitumen surface and takes
6-7 hours. An additional
120 kms from Kabale to Buhoma Park Headquarters via Kanungu and
Kanyantoorogo on Murram surface takes 3-4 hours and may require
a 4WD vehicle. Kabale- Ruhija-Buhoma is 95 kilometers and takes
about 3 hours. This road is not used much by the public. A 4WD
vehicle is recommended.
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