Ugandan National Parks

And Attractions

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern Uganda on the famous western rift valley edges. It occupies approximately 331sq km and is about 540km from the capital Kampala. This Afro-montane forest consists of dense under storey of fern, shrubs and vines. This national park is home to the largest percentage of the world’s remaining and endangered mountain gorillas. The National park has a diversity of species that is; 120 species of mammals including 7 diurnal primates like the black and white Colobus. It has about 360 species of bird, over 200 species of butterflies and about 324 tree species.                                     
Mt.Gorilla

Activities

  • Gorilla tracking is the major attraction in Bwindi impenetrable national park. However to avoid inconveniences, gorilla permits have to be booked three (3) months in advance. This activity can be carried out any time of the year. During rainy seasons however, that is (march-April and September-November) with heaviest rains, tracking is challenging but other months are relatively dry.
  • Nature guided walks and may view the magnificent waterfalls as well as a variety of birds, butterflies, trees and primates among others.
  • Community guided walks.

Accommodation Facilities:
The park has numerous facilities for accommodation that after a hectic and tiring day’s activities provides you with warm and comfortable rest. Some of these include Gorilla Forest, Volcanoes safari camp, Gorilla Resort and Buhoma homestead and Lake Kitandara.  

Rules followed while in this Protected Area.
These must be adhered to and include:

  • No one with communicable disease like 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 5metres (15feet) to the Gorillas.
  • Don’t use flashes while photographing.
  • Don’t eat or smoke when with Gorillas or within distance of 200m from the Gorillas.
  • Turn away from the Gorillas if you need to sneeze or cough. Cover your nose and mouth while in the process.
  • Bury all human feaces minimum of one foot deep and cover the hole well.
  • Don’t litter. All litter must be carried out of the park and disposed off properly.
  • No person under the age of 15 is allowed to track Gorillas.
  • Don’t make loud noise or move suddenly.
  • You are allowed a maximum of one hour with gorillas.
  • Don’t spit on vegetation or soil while in the park; use your hankie or other garments.

Major facts about the park

    • Location: south western Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Rukungiri, kabale and Kisoro districts.
    • Size:  331sq km.
    • Altitude Range: 1160m (Ishasha gorge) 2607m (Rwamunyonyi peak).
    • Annual Temperature Range: 7-20 degrees celisius.
    • Coldest Period: June to July.
    • Annual Precipitation: 1130mm- 2390mm.
    • Rainfall Patterns: Heaviest rains in March – April and September – November. Other months are generally dry.
    • Local people: Bakiga and Bafumbira are the majority constituting the most dense settlement in Uganda (233 people per sqkm).
    • Species Diversity:  The National park has a diversity of species that is; 120 species of mammals including 7 diurnal primates like the black and white Colobus. It has about 360 species of bird, over 200 species of butterflies and about 324 tree species.