Bwindi Forest Impenetrable National Park (BINP)
Bwindi, located in Southwestern Uganda, is a true rain forest, spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys that form the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. This national park covers an area of 321 sq. km. in the local language Bwindi means ‘a place of darkness’ and the name refers to thick vegetation. Referring to Bwindi as ‘impenetrable forest’ is a perfect description. The annual average temperature range is 7 0c - 20 0c with the coldest period being June and July. Tourism to Bwindi focuses on gorilla tracking. Almost more than half of the world mountain gorillas find their sanctuary in Bwindi National Park. Thus Bwindi boasts of over 326 gorillas. There are also 326 bird species and over 200 butterfly species.
It is surprising that notwithstanding the overemphasis on gorillas, Bwindi national park can as well boast of at least 120 mammal species, more than any Ugandan national park except Queen Elizabeth national park. At least 11 primates exist including a healthy chimpanzee population, a vast number of L’Hoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkey, as well as black-and-white colobus and olive baboon. Other animals include the elephants, and on a rare occasion, the buffaloes.
Birding:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers some of the finest montane forest birding in Africa and is a key destination to any birder visiting Uganda. At least 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift Endemics are resident in Bwindi. Among these they include, spectacular globally threatened species such as African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimsonwing. The ranger station at Ruhizha at an altitude of 2300 m, with breath-taking views over steep, forested valleys towards the distant Virunga Volcanoes, is a good place for excellent birding. Birds are both plentiful and easy to see. You can not miss birds such as the Handsome Francolin, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Western Green Tinkerbird, Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls, Red-faced Woodland warbler, African Hill Babbler, Collard Apalis and Mountain illadopsis, among others.
Main activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
- Gorilla tracking
- Game drives
- Birding
- Cultural visits for handicrafts and cultural performances by the Batwa community
