Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Travel Guide & Map


Overview

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the popular destinations in Africa. It is a safe park found in Uganda. It is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It covers an area of about 331 km2. It is famous for its Mountain Gorillas. Tourists must follow the set rules and regulations in the park for their safety. Here are reasons why you should go on a Bwindi Impenetrable National Park safari.

Wildlife

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorillas are the main attractions in the park. In Africa, these primates are only found in Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Uganda has the highest population with over 600 Mountain gorillas. This is about half of the population of these species in the world. The main activity in the park is Gorilla trekking which is very safe. These primates are not aggressive. But tourists must follow the provided directions.

Apart from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorillas, the park is home to many other species. It has recorded over 120 species of animals. Some of these are chimps, leopards, elephants, antelopes, and many others.

The best time to see these animals is between December to February and June to August. The two seasons receive less rain. This makes them better for hiking and other activities in the park.

Birdlife

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has recorded more than 347 species of birds. This makes it a perfect destination for bird lovers. Some of the unique species are blue-headed sunbird and Neumann’s warbler. Other common species are crowned hornbill, African green pigeon, and Giant Kingfisher.

You can enjoy bird-watching at any time across the year in the park. But March and September are the best time as they receive less rainfall.

Scenery

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts a dense forest. It is where the montane vegetation meets the lowland vegetation. It has more than 400 species of plants. Its vines, shrubs, and thick herbs give it a scenic view. Also, the different species of wildlife, birds, and butterflies beautify the park.

Climate

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a mild climate. It is just a short distance from the equator. So, its temperatures don’t vary as much. They range between 11°C and 23°C. The park has two seasons.

The dry season is between June to August and December to February. Temperatures range between 11°C and 24°C. This is a great time to enjoy activities in the park. The wet season is between March to April and September to November. Forest trails and roads in the park may be slippery. Navigating the park may be challenging.

FAQs About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

  • Where is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in the southwestern part of Uganda. It is in Kanungu District. The distance from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 473 km. Its coordinates are 1.0521° S and 29.6201° E. Air transport to the park is more convenient.

  • What is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park famous for?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous for Gorilla trekking. Millions of tourists have visited the park to engage in Gorilla trekking. Other common activities are wildlife viewing, bird watching, and observing butterflies.

  • How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You can get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by road. From Kampala, it takes about 6 to 8 hours to reach the park by road. Tour operators help tourists to book their gorilla trekking safaris. Visitors can choose to fly to the park. There are three airstrips near the park. Tour operators can also book flights between parks in Uganda.

  • Which is the best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

The park is always open for gorilla trekking. But the dry season is the best time for most activities in the park. This is between December to February and June to August. The roads and forest trails are less slippery and drier. Rain in the wet season may interfere with gorilla trekking.