Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the ten national parks in Uganda, managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). It was designated as a national park in 1991. Shortly after, Bwindi began the process of habituating its first gorilla family, which took approximately two years for the family to acclimate to human presence. In 1992, the first gorilla family was officially opened for the gorilla trekking experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in the southwestern region of Uganda, close to the Congo border, adjacent to Virunga National Park and at the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. The management of Uganda National Parks transitioned to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in 1996 following the merger of Uganda National Parks and Game Reserves.
Credit to; Scott Davis
Bwindi Impenetrable National park
Size and location of Bwindi National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in South Western Uganda and covers an area of 321 km2 (128 square miles). Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies next to the Congo border about 29 km north-west of Kanungu, 35 km north of Kisoro and 40 km southeast of Lake Edward to the boundary.
On December 17, 1994, it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to the coexistence of three great apes: Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Humans (the Batwa, an indigenous tribe that historically lived in harmony with gorillas and chimps in the Bwindi forest). It has also been classified as category 1 of protected areas by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is exceptionally rich in biodiversity, with its varied ecosystems making it one of the most intriguing forests in Africa. The park features a range of environments from lowlands to afro-montane forests, representing a unique moist tropical forest that is rare among East African protected areas.
About Bwindi Forest
Uganda Gorilla Trekking
Approximately a century ago, numerous individuals migrated from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), moving from the southern edge of the forest to the area located north of it. At that time, the northern region of the forest was sparsely populated. To reach this area, most people had to traverse the forest, and the tale recounts that a family was trying to navigate through the forest when they encountered a vast swamp. The spirit of the swamp noticed that one of the family members was a lovely young woman named Nyinamukari. “Give us the maiden,” the spirits demanded, “and we will allow you to cross the swamp safely.” Faced with this predicament, the family lingered at the swamp’s edge for several days, uncertain of what to do. Ultimately, they concluded that returning home was not an option, so they sacrificed Nyinamukari to the swamp and successfully crossed to the other side. The story of the sacrificed maiden circulated throughout the region, instilling fear of the forest, particularly the swamp. Consequently, people began to refer to the location as Mubwindi bwa Nyinamukari, with Nyinamukari being the maiden’s name. Bwindi translates to a swampy, muddy area shrouded in darkness. From that point, the forest was designated as a National Park, and Bwindi became its official name. The local communities had called the forest and the swamp Mubwindi and Bwindi National Park, respectively, which is how the Bwindi forest acquired its name.
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Buhoma is a prominent tourism area in Bwindi, where the park headquarters are situated. It is home to approximately seven fully habituated gorilla families that provide an incredible gorilla trekking experience. Additionally, there are four nature trails, each offering an unforgettable journey through the unique Afro montane forest, complete with stunning views and chances to observe various wildlife. Visitors are encouraged to make reservations ahead of time at the visitor registration or booking office, as walks begin at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. This is particularly important for gorilla trekking permits, which should be arranged in advance through registered tour operators approximately six months prior..
 The nature walks include the following:
(b) Muzabajiro loop walk; this moderate climb is 5.2 km and takes about 3-5 hours. Visitors doing this walk have chances of seeing monkeys, Bush pigs and birds.
(c) Munyaga waterfalls walk;Â The trail proceeds south along a path that was originally designed as an access road leading through the forest to Nteeko village. After about 2km, the trail diverges onto a broad forest path that crosses the swift Munyaga River three times before reaching the waterfall.
(d) Ivi River Walk; this is the longest trail in the park. It’s about 13km and takes 2-4 hours. This walk is easy, following an old coffee trail all the way from Buhoma to Ivi, the largest river in the park.
(e) Munyaga river short birding trail;Â This stroll by the river is both easy and brief, providing numerous spots to relax and enjoy the Bwindi forest. The walk takes approximately 35 minutes, beginning at the park office and following the river to the main base trail within the park. This path presents excellent birdwatching chances, so keep an eye out for kingfishers and African black ducks while you walk.
NKURINGO TOURISM ZONE.
This area is designated for satellite tourism. It is the second location established for gorilla trekking in Bwindi, situated on the southern edge of the forest, roughly 15 kilometres from Buhoma. A delightful walk through the forest to Nkuringo takes about four hours. The trailhead at Nkuringo is located on the secluded Nteeko ridge, providing numerous vistas across Bwindi forest to the north and the Virunga volcanoes to the south. The Nkuringo sector is home to four fully habituated gorilla families that are trekked by visitors.
RUHIJA TOURISM ZONE.
Ruhija is one of the tourism zones located in Bwindi, situated in the eastern section of the Bwindi forest, and is home to around six fully habituated gorilla families. It lies approximately 50 kilometres from Buhoma via a road that connects to the Kisoro-Kabale road. This area boasts one of the highest elevations in the park, reaching 2607 meters above sea level at Rwamunyonyi hill, the park’s highest point. The tourism zone features two remarkable natural trails leading to the historical Mubwindi swamp and the serene, undisturbed bamboo and primary forest interior. During your walk, you can always anticipate the unexpected, guided by experienced park rangers who enhance this lively experience. Ruhija enjoys the best weather in Bwindi, with temperatures rarely exceeding 25 degrees Celsius. On pleasant days, it is common to feel as though you are in a place where heaven meets the earth..
RUSHAGA TOURISM ZONE.
This is the latest area among others situated in the southern sector of Bwindi, specifically developed for tourism experiences. Rushaga tourism zone boasts the highest number of habituated gorilla families in comparison to other sectors of Bwindi, with approximately 10 gorilla families. Additionally, this is the only sector that offers a truly magical habituation experience.
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