Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
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Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park settles in the south west of Uganda stretching over an area of 321 km2 with an altitudinal range of 1,160 – 2,607 Km above sea level. This gorilla safari park extends for 32,092 ha and is among the largest areas in East Africa with Afro montane lowland forest with greatest number of trees at its altitude more than any other similar forest in East Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is by no means ordinary when it comes to bio-diversity concentration with great counts of trees, wildlife, butterflies and great mammal congregations in Africa.
The Park is known for populations of Mountain gorillas which are listed as critically endangered by IUCN. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is considered to in a grouping of the most diverse forest on African continent with 163 species of trees, 104 species of fern alongside other taxa
The Park is known for populations of Mountain gorillas which are listed as critically endangered by IUCN. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is considered to in a grouping of the most diverse forest on African continent with 163 species of trees, 104 species of fern alongside other taxa. 16 of these species are restricted to forests of western Uganda and one Lovoa swynnertonii is considered to be threatened globally. The park also has 214 species of birds, 7 species of diurnal primates, 120 species of mammals and 202 species of butterflies. The dense undergrowth coupled with mature tropical trees settling on a rugged landscape combine to justify Bwindi as an Impenetrable forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also considered to have counts of African montane wildlife most of which is endemic to the highlands of the Albertine rift. In fact, nine species that are threatened globally exist in Bwindi including; common chimpanzee, mountain gorilla, l’Hoest’s monkey Cercopithecus l’hoesti, endangered species of African giant swallowtail, African green broadbill, Grauer’s rush warbler, Chaplin’s flycatcher, African elephant and cream-banded swallowtail. The leopard and buffalo were poached to extinction of recent and in 1960s respectively.
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Bwindi was first established as Kasatora and Kayonza crown forest reserves in the north and south sectors respectively stretching to 20,700ha. These two were brought together in 1948 and added to the Impenetrable Central Crown Forest Reserve stretching to 29,800ha. In 1961, they were added to the Central Reserve expanding to 32,080ha and in that same year the whole area was gazetted as an animal sanctuary to ensure protection of Mountain gorillas. The area finally received a park status in 1991 along with Rwenzori and Mgahinga which involved the incorporation of 1,000ha Mbwa tract.
The Park Bwindi derives its name from a horrific legend that has kept the image of the park surrounded by Mystery. It is believed that about a century ago a range of people were transferring from the populated south to the less populated north in search of vast land for farming. As there was no Vehicles and roads by then, the people would trek for days, weeks and Months until they reach their desired destination. Unfortunately, when one family was moving from the south to the north, they came across a big swamp of which they could not manage to traverse. The swamp spirit offered to help them but at a cost of their favorite daughter Nnyinamukari. The family stood in contemplation for two days and they finally reach a consensus and they gave in their daughter and were given the opportunity to cross to the north. However, the news spread to the communities around and place was heavily feared thus nicknaming it Mubwindi bwa Nnyinamukari (the dark place of Nnyinamukari). The swamp still exists and is called Mubwindi while the entire forest is called Bwindi
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Map of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla tracking
The gorilla trekking is the most key activity that sets Bwindi Impenetrable National Park above many protected areas. With 400 out of 880 mountain gorillas that currently thrive in the wild with none thriving in captivity, Bwindi is an ideal have for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. This activity is carried out in its four regions where fully habituated gorilla groups are known to be thriving including; Nkuringo area with its Nkuringo gorilla family, Rushaga area with its Bweza, Busingye, Mishaya, Kahungye and Nshongyi gorilla families, Ruhija area with its Oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguriro gorilla families and Buhoma with its Habinyanja, Mubare and Rushegura gorilla families. A range of 8 people are permitted to track each gorilla family per day with maximum of I hour direct encounter with them. The gorilla trekking activity commences at 8am local time at Uganda Wildlife Headquarters in any of the four regions depending on the permit that you have with a short briefing from the UWA staff about the gorilla trekking encounter. The duration of this activity tend to range between 2 – 8 hours. Tracking gorillas requires a traveller on Uganda gorilla safari to have a gorilla permit which is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority at a price of 600USD in the high season or 350USD in a low season (November). Gorilla tracking in Bwindi is possible throughout the year though dry season offers an easier trek.
Nature walks
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has six main nature trails that are designed to enable Uganda safari undertakers to explore Bwindi on foot.
Munyange waterfall walk: This is in Buhoma and it exposes you to impressive waterfall that is situated on River Munyange. It is short trail ideal for traveller with limited time. The trail exposes you to birds and primates at the forest edge.
Rushura Hill Walk: This directs to Rushura Hill and upon reaching the top, it offers an opportunity to explore lakes Edward and George not forgetting the peaks of Rwenzori Mountains and Virunga ranges. The rift valley floor can also be explored.
The Muzabajiro Loop: The Muzabajiro loop is a 6km walk that moves around the hill with an opportunity to encounter birds and primates with the views of Virunga volcanoes. The trail offers you magnificent views of Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The trail exposes to different fern species and the top offers ideal encounters for picnics.
The Ivi River Walk: The 14km River Ivi walk goes for seven hours passing through a place of pigs locally known Mukempunu. Wild pigs are always encountered on this trail.
The Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail: This trail takes 3 – 4 hours traversing the park to connect the villages of Buhoma and Nkuringo. The trail offers impressive views of the forest covered with mist as you draw towards Nkuringo.
The Habinyanja Trail: This trail takes 4 – 6 hours crossing the Munyanga River taking a steep ascend of Habigorogoro and Riyovi Ridge with views of River Buhoma. The trail exposes you to the legendary African corner named after the rock piece that resembles the map of Africa. Habinyanja swamp offers good birding opportunities spotting birds like; Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Black Duck and Black Bee Eaters, among others.
Bird watching
On a tour in Uganda and Bwindi in particular, birders are exposed to over 350 species of which 23 are endemic which include; Short tailed warbler, Blue headed sun bird among others. Other species include the Red headed blue bill, African blue and white tailed blue flycatchers, Common Bulbul and African Emerald cuckoo. An early morning and late evening bird walk generates a great memorable experience for a birder on Ugandan tour. Birding takes place along the main trail, the Buhoma Waterfall Trail and along the bamboo zone and Mubwindi Swamp trail in Ruhija.
Cultural Encounters
The surroundings of Bwindi have got diverse tribal groups including the Bakiga, Batwa and Bafumbira who have got interesting traditions that can be encountered while on safari in Uganda. A range of cultural trails have been designed to enable you explore these traditions.
Buhoma Community Tours / Mukono Development Association.
Buhoma community tours takes about 3 hours and it commences at a local handicraft shop which sells locally made fabrics, beeswax candles and wood carvings that are produced by local artisans. The Batwa community in Buhoma is also visited on this tour exploring their heritage including Music dance and drama, the tour also takes you to a traditional healer to explore how he uses local herbs to cure diseases and also a primary school. The local brewing process is also explored on this tour. The returns of this package support the community projects while the Batwa receive all proceeds for their performances.
Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Foundation (NCCDF).
This is in the south of Bwindi with impressive views of Congo and Virunga volcanoes. It offers wonderful cultural and scenic encounters. The encounter will take you to the blacksmith Nicholas who still employs the Stone Age survival techniques in the modern era. You will be impressed by sheepskin bellow sounds as they spew in the air into the Charcoal fired furnace where a hit red metal is extracted and modeled into the respective tools such as machetes and knives. The home of Sicilia exposes you to a range of traditional huts that house millet grinding stone, apparatus for waragi distilling and cooking pots. Besides those, Pena who is the traditional healer uses local plants to make tea, herbal powders and ointments that cure a range of ailments.
Buniga Forest Nature Walk.
The Buniga Forest Nature Walk exposes you to rich forest encounters including impressive flora and fauna under the guidance of the local people that have inherited this knowledge for years and years. Buniga is a pocket forest of Bwindi and in a bid to control encroachment and biodiversity loss, Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Foundation (NCCDF) designed atrial to put the forest into sustainable use. The returns are put to the benefit of the local community invigorating their interests in conservation.
Nkuringo Cultural Centre (NCC)
Nkuringo Cultural Center is designed to enable you master a skill while on Uganda gorilla safari. It offers impressive and educational workshops that range from African cooking to basket weaving, dancing and drumming. It also organizes a community walk where travellers are enabled to meet directly with locals in their daily life and explore into their life style. The encounter exposes to the life in Rubuguri village and the travellers can also participate in crafts demonstration. Visit the local primary school and marvel at the Kiga dance where by the best dancer is one who shakes the earth.
Nyundo Community Eco-Trails.
The residents of Nyundo village experienced climate change when their crops were eroded away from the hill sides, the rain patterns changed and the mist that used to cover the area disappeared. The crop productivity eventually began to reduce. The community decided to allow the natural forest to regenerate which in return enabled the rains and the mist to return. The Nyundo Community Eco Trails were set up to ensure sustainable use of this forest other than logging, agriculture and poaching which provided income while conserving the forest. The trails like King Bakyara water fall trail takes to the scenic views of the waterfall where the Kings bathe. Pay a visit to the blacksmith, a local banana beer distillery, cattle farm, banana plantation and a bee keeper. The traditional skills trail offers an opportunity to learn how to prepare millet bread, make crafts and yoghurt making.
Rubuguri Village Walk (NCC)
The Rubuguri village is positioned in the south of Bwindi and is one of the hard to reach areas. The village walk allows you to explore the life in Rubuguri passing through a swamp heading to home steads with an opportunity to meet the residents and participate in raft demonstration. The St. Peters Primary School can also be visited to encounter teachers, pupils and their impressive music dance and drama.
Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are descendants of ancestral monkeys and apes that lived in Arabia and Africa in the beginning of oligocene epoch (34-24 millions of years ago). The fossil records reveal the thriving of hominoid primates (apes) in East Africa approximately 18 – 22 million years ago. However, the archive of the mountain gorilla fossils is poor and is in short of clear evolutionary history. It is noted that approximately 9 million years ago, the primate group which evolved into gorillas separated from the common ancestor along with the chimps and humans leading to the emergence of genus gorilla.
Even though the earliest relative of gorilla is not certain, the Procunsul Africanus – the earliest ape is thought be the one. It was approximately 400,000 years when the eastern low land gorillas and Mountain gorillas parted ways and about 2 million years when these two did the same from their colleagues (the western gorillas). The classification of gorillas has sparked off a considerable debate for long. It started in 1867 when the genus was referenced as Troglodytes and later renamed to Gorilla in 1852. The taxonomist Colin Gloves in 1967 proposed the all gorillas should be considered one species Gorilla gorilla with three sub species Gorilla gorilla gorilla (western lowland gorilla), Gorilla gorilla graueri (lowland gorillas found west of the Virungas) and Gorilla gorilla beringei (Bwindi and Virunga endemic mountain gorillas). Following the IUCN review in 2003, the gorillas were classified into two species Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei.
The gorilla is naturally a shy vegetarian ape which is less offensive as it appears to be. However when provoked, it rises to erect position and beats their cupped hands on their chests in an attempt to frighten the attackers. Gorillas are the largest and powerful of all apes with an average height of 1.7 m (6 ft.) for adult male and weight of approximately 140 to 275 kg. While the female gorillas are approximately 40 to 50% smaller than their male counter parts. Both female and male gorillas are strong enough to pull out small trees and rip tree branches. They pass most of the day foraging with resting breaks.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park contains 400 of the 880 mountain gorillas that currently thrive in the wild with none thriving in captivity. Twelve gorilla families have been habituated for gorilla trekking encounter in different regions of Bwindi including;
Buhoma- Habinyanja, Mubare and Rushegura.
Ruhija- Oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguriro.
Nkuringo – Nkuringo Gorilla group.
Rushaga – Nshongi, Kahungye, Mishaya, Busingye and Bweza.
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Buhoma Area
Mubare Gorilla Family. This gorilla family contains 8 members and 1 silverback. This is the oldest gorilla family to be habituated in Uganda for gorilla trekking encounter in Bwindi and Uganda in general. It was first sighted in Mubare hills with its habituation commencing on 15th October in 1991 and receiving its first official visit on 13th October 1993 (2 years later). The Mubare gorilla family was led by Ruhondeza and had 12 members in the start before encountering a fierce attack from a wild gorilla that broke his leadership taking away some of its female members in March, 2012. Ruhondeza abandoned the group and settled in the adjacent community forest where he lost his life on 27th June 2012 while sleeping at about 50 years of age. Its grave can be visited while on a gorilla tracking safari in Uganda. The Mubare gorilla family then remained with only 5 members for some time until March 2013 when 4 other members joined the group. The new silverback Kanyonyi who succeeded Ruhondeza was able to expand the group to eight members including the bay gorilla Kashundwe. Because of easy connection to Queen Elizabeth National Park, its permits are heavily demanded by Uganda gorilla safari undertakers.
Habinyanja Gorilla Family. This gorilla family contains 18 members with 2 silverbacks. The Habinyanja gorilla family was habituated in 1997 and received visitors in 1999. This gorilla family derives its name from the local word Nyanja which literally means a pool of water. It demonstrates a swamp in Bwindi where the group was first sighted. The gorilla family was led by Mugurusi succeeded him. However, due to their differing characters, the two brothers could not stay together as Rwansigazi was very adventurous while Mwirima preferred dwelling in a limited range. This prompted their separation in 2002 though with no fights. The Rwansigazi group maintained Habinyanja name while the Mwirima group became Rushegura. Rwansigazi later left the throne to Makara who is currently the dominant silverback of Habinyanja gorilla family. These two gorilla families tend to meet on rare occasions in a mutual brotherhood. The female section is dominated by Kisho.
Rushegura Gorilla Family. This gorilla family contains 19 members with 1 silverback. The family came about in 2002 after the separation of Mwirima from the Habinyanja gorilla family. The Rushegura gorilla family started with 12 gorilla members and it derives its name from the local floral species called Ebishegura which are abundant in the area. The Rushegura gorilla family is very calm though with minor border crossings to DRC. It is usually within the environs of Buhoma village and sometimes wonder through the gardens of Gorilla Forest Camp enabling guests to have unexpected gorilla viewing encounter.
Ruhija Area
Bitukura Gorilla family. This contains 14 members with 4 silverbacks that can be tracked on Uganda gorilla safari tour. The Bitukura gorilla family derives its name from the river where it was first sighted. Its habituation commenced in the month of July 2007 and it did not take long as the gorillas had a frequent encounter with UWA rangers no wonder after 15 months it was ready for tracking unlike the normal 2 years of habituation. The Bitukua gorilla group initially had 24 members but due to internal instabilities, some of the members resolved to quit the family. Bitukura has a baby born that came in the early 2013.
Oruzogo Gorilla Family. This contains 23 members with 1 silverback. The Oruzogo is considered to be among the new gorilla families that have been habituated for trekking encounter in the Impenetrable forest of Bwindi. The Oruzogo gorilla family is led by Tibirikwata and on 20th June 2011 is when this gorilla family was opened for trekking. The family has energetic and playful juveniles and toddlers which make it thrilling to encounter this gorilla family while on your gorilla trekking safari tour in Uganda.
Kyaguriro Gorilla Family. This contains 15 Members with 2 silver backs. The Kyaguriro gorilla family was called Zeus before he was banished by his rival Rukiina into the forest. This gorilla family was initially used for research but has been of recent opened for gorilla trekking encounter.
Nkuringo Area
Nkuringo Gorilla Family. This contains 19 members with 2 silverbacks. The naming of this gorilla family is derived from the local Rukiga word Nkuringo that literally translates into a round hill meaning that it was the first place where the gorilla family was first sighted. The Nkuringo gorilla family was opened for trekking in 200 after being habituated for 2 years. The group had the tendency of encroaching on peoples’ plantations and gardens to consume crops like sweet potatoes which motivated conservationists to habituate it. The dominant silverback Nkuringo passed away in April 2008 leaving behind two silverbacks Rafiki and Safari. Safari dominated the group and twin baby gorillas i.e. Katungi and Muhoozi were born in Novembver of that very year allowing the group to recover very fast. Unfortunately, Katungi passed away at 1 ½ years as a result of sickness. Nkuringo is considered to be the one of the toughest gorilla families to trek while on your gorilla safari in Uganda though trekkers do not usual complain of being drained.
Rushaga Area
Nshongi Gorilla family. This contains 18 members. Nshongi is considered to be the first gorilla family to be habituated with over 36 gorilla members and derived its naming from the local River Nshongi where the group was first sighted. The gorilla family was opened for tracking in September 2009 following 2 years of habituation. Unlike other gorilla families of 25 members which contain 1 or 2 silverbacks, Nshongi gorilla family has 4 silverbacks. Surprisingly, the Silverback Nshongyi is not the oldest of the others but rules the family in harmony with the other three. However, the Nshongi has had series of secession with Mishaya breaking off in July 2010 leaving it with 26 members and in 2013 Bweza also split reducing the Nshongi group to 18 members.
Mishaya Gorilla Family. This contains 7 members with 1 Silverback. Mishaya gorilla family was formed as a result of separation from Nshongi gorilla group in July 2010. Mishaya was a re-known great fighter and he used his fighting capability to conquer more females from other gorilla families increasing the family. Mishaya died in Feb 2014 and was succeeded by Mwiine who has managed to take the gorilla family forward.
Kahungye Gorilla Family. This contains 13 members including 3 silverbacks. Kahungye derives its name from a local hill called Kahungye. The dominant silverback for this gorilla family is called Rumanzi who is followed by other two old male gorillas in the names of Ruhamuka and Rwigi. This gorilla family was opened for gorilla trekking in 2011 but it later split leading to the formation of Busingye gorilla group. Before this separation, the Kahungye gorilla family had 27 members and 3 silverbacks.
Bweza Gorilla Family. This contains 7 members with 1 Silverback. Bweza gorilla family was established after splitting from Mishaya gorilla family in 2012. The management of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) anticipated that the two gorilla families would re-unite something that did not happen and eventually Bweza gorilla family was introduced for gorilla trekking encounter.
Busingye Gorilla Family. This contains 9 members with 1 silverback. The Busingye gorilla family broke off from Kahungye in June 2012. Busingye established this family and it has 9 members with two adult female and three infants while others are juveniles. Though Busingye means peace, the naming is contradictory to the character of Busingye as he likes fighting with other groups. The diversity of its members makes it thrilling to encounter while on gorilla safari in Uganda.
Batwa people
The Batwa, or Twa people are considered to be the last groups of short people who are also referred to as pygmy people whose physical structure and the heritage behind it has made it a hot spot for Uganda safari undertakes. Before the establishment of Bwindi forest as a national Park, the Batwa people lived in the forests where they flourished in their hunter gather culture. The Batwa people are earliest inhabitants of East Africa dating back to 4,000 years long before the Bantu communities arrived in the region. Their ancestral god Nagasian gave them the responsibility of taking care of the forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a range of impressive flora and fauna some of which are listed as endangered worlds wide. Besides that, the forest of Bwindi was a home of the Batwa who considered themselves as the keepers of the forest. They survived by hunting small game with the help of arrows and bows, gathering of wild fruit and wild roots that are edible not forgetting honey harvesting. The Batwa built their houses in the forest using climbing plants and tree leaves. This shows that the Batwa were able to live in harmony with the forest ecosystem. However, with the gazettion of Bwindi as a national Park, the Batwa were evicted from the forest pushing them to the forest margins exposing them to the life they were not well conversant with which opened the door for their suffering. The Batwa were bailed out by the missionary doctors of the American origin in the names of Dr. Scott and Carol Kellermans in 2001 who started up some programs that would see the Batwa’s life change including; school, hospital and housing. Apparently, the Batwa Development Program is spearheading the advancement of the Batwa people and their transformation to adapt to the new environment that they round themselves in.
Birds
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provides one of the ideal Afro-montane birding opportunities on the African continent. The park has 350 species of birds of which 23 are endemic to the Albertine rift with 14 identified nowhere else in Uganda. Bwindi has globally threatened bird species such as African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimson wing. Other bird species include; Black-billed Turaco, Handsome Francolin; African Broadbill; Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters; Western Green Tinker bird; Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds; Short-tailed and Black-faced Rufous Warblers; Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls; Many-colored Bush-Shrike, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis among others. A range of birds thrive in Ruhija with great bird counts per square. The early morning birding encounters exposes you to splendid handsome Francolin, white-tailed crested Flycatcher, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Ruwenzori batis, western Green Tinker bird, red-faced woodland Warbler, yellow-streaked Greenbuls and chestnut-throated Apalis, among others.
Accessing different regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where gorilla trekking takes place including; Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Rushaga
- 4 x4 Wheel drive is recommended due to the nature of the roads most especially in the rainy seasons.
- The park can also be accessed using public transport. Buses from Kampala connect to Butogota passing through the towns of Rukungiri and Kihihi. Though one should know that the departure and arrival time is not specific.
- The gorilla safari destination of Bwindi can also be connected to by Air. Aero link conducts scheduled flights to Kihihi and Nyakabande Airstrip in Kisoro from the International Airport of Entebbe. The Kihihi Airfield and Kayonza Airstrip provide easy connection to northern sector of Buhoma and Ruhija in the East while Nyakabande in Kisoro is ideal for southern sector of Nkuringo and Rushaga.
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