Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , Tour to Uganda

Location; southwestern Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Kanungu, Kabale and kisoro districts.

Size; 331 square kilometers

Altitude range; 1160meters (Ishasha gorge) to 2607 meters (Rwamunyonyi peak)

Annual temperatures range; 7-20 degrees Celsius

Coldest period; June- July

Annual precipitation; 1130mm – 2390mm

Rainfall pattern; heaviest rains experienced in March to April and September to November. Other months are generally dry.

Local people; Majority are bakiga and bafumbira, constituting the most dense settlements in Uganda, (233people/ square kilometer)

Species diversity; 150 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 and scrubs. About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10 of which occur nowhere else in Uganda.

GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI
This is a major tourist attraction in Bwindi. Two gorilla groups are currently available to be visited on daily basis. Mubare group (16gorillas; 1 silverback) was opened for tourism in 1993, while habinyanja group (23 gorillas; 2 silverback was ready in July1998) while a third group of gorillas 17 members, 2 silver backs is due to open for tourism soon

Six permits per day are sold for each of these groups at UWA headquarters Kampala. Book at least three months (but not more than one year) in advance to ensure that requested dates are available.

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi can be strenuous, therefore ensure physical fitness. Bring jungle boots and rain jackets because the park is often wet.

Your gorilla tracking experience starts at 8.30 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;
• No one with a communicable disease e.g. flu, diarrhea is allowed to enter the park.
• Stay together in a tight group while with the gorillas, don’t surround them
• Don’t get closer than 5 meters (15 feet) to the gorillas
• Don’t use flashes while photographing.
• Don’t eat or smoke when with the gorillas or within distance of 200 meters from the gorillas.
• Turn away from the gorillas if you have to sneeze or cough. Cover your nose and mouth in the process
• Bury all human faeces a minimum of one foot deep and ensure that the hole is properly covered.
• Don’t leave litter. All litter must be carried out of the park and disposed off properly.
• No person under 15 years is allowed to track gorillas.
• Don’t make loud noise or move suddenly.
• You are allowed a maximum of 1 hour with gorillas
• Don’t spit on vegetation or soil while in the park. Use your hankie of other garment.

NATURE WALKS
For the visitors who have 2 or 3 days in bwindi the park has 4 fantastic hiking trails. On all these trails, you have the opportunities to see and learn about primates, many species of birds, butterflies, trees and other organism. Arrange at the reception for the guide. The guides company is obligatory and yet affords you an excellent understanding of natures system at work in the park.

The Munyaga River trails; 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, epiphytic ferns, orchids and bwindi colorful array of butterflies. This trial, which leads to 3 delightful crystal clear waterfalls, typifies your impression of the tropical rain forest.

The Rushura 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 days lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountain are visible. The 5.2km Muzabajiro Loop trails offers 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 river Ivi trail, so far the largest in the park will occupy you for a full day. It is highly recommended for bird watchers.

HIT THE TRAIL IN YOUR CAR
Visitors with their own 4-wheel drive transport should consider crossing the rugged center 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 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 lake Bunyonyi and mafuga forest.

BIRD WATCHING
Bwindi is the bird watchers haven, it holds 348 species of birds and contains 90% of the albertine rift endemics, difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa, and 7 red data book species. 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 receptionist so that appropriate early morning departure can be arranged.

CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
In the evenings, participate in captivating traditional performances presented by women’s group. Proceeds from these go directly to improve the welfare of the families around the park.

ACCESS
Kampala to Kabale is a distance of 414kms on bitumen surface and takes 6-7hours. An additional 120kms from kabala to Buhoma park headquarters via kanungu and Kanyantoorogo on murram surface takes 3-4 hours. Kabala – Ruhija – Buhoma is 95kms and takes 3hours. This road is not used much by the public. A 4WD vehicle is recommended.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS
BUHOMA
• The local community operates a rest camp with clean and simple bandas. A restaurant serving simple traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner is available.
• African pearl safaris offer a upmarket range accommodation.
• Gorilla Forest has luxury tented accommodation
• Mantana also provides fully furnished ensuite tents.
• Three privately run campsites are available

RUHIJA
There is a self-catering guesthouse, which is booked in advance through Uganda wildlife authority headquarters in Kampala

KIHIHI
Savanna resort hotel is 40kms to buhoma and adjacent to Ishasha sector, of queen Elizabeth national park.