The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga National Park constitute the Bwindi Conservation Area. It is located in the country’s southwestern region, along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It neighbours Virunga National Park on the other side of the border. Bwindi National Park spans over 32,000 hectares of rainforest, mountainous terrain, and lowlands.
This park fulfils every traveller’s expectation in Uganda: the opportunity to witness mountain gorillas, which is the primary reason many visit the country. Gorilla trekking, accessible only on foot, is meticulously regulated thanks to the efforts of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the rangers, who are true experts in gorilla behaviour.
Bwindi, one of the planet’s greatest biological reserves, is home to over half of the world’s population of the majestic mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Fortunately, the population is growing, with about a thousand individuals still living in the wild, spread across the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. A dditionally, the park hosts several other primate species, including chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, mangabeys, l’hoest monkeys, and golden monkeys. Recognizing its significance, UNESCO designated Bwindi National Park as a World Heritage Site in 1994.
Moreover, the park boasts 120 mammal species, 346 bird species, over 200 butterfly species, more than 160 tree species, 100 fern species, and around thirty species of amphibians and reptiles, some of which are endemic, such as Jackson’s chameleon.
Bwindi National Park is divided into four sectors, or areas:
Buhoma Area
Located in the northern part of the park, Buhoma is the first area encountered when coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park. It was the initial site for gorilla habituation in Uganda, leading to the construction of top-tier accommodations. Consequently, the area features several high-quality lodges and is home to multiple habituated gorilla families, making it one of the park’s most popular sectors.
Ruhija Area
Also situated in the park’s north, Ruhija is reached while travelling towards Kabale town, departing from the north-south route. It hosts approximately five habituated gorilla families.
Rushaga Area
Located in the southern part of the park along the north-south route towards Kabale, Rushaga is home to at least six habituated gorilla families. One of these families is specifically prepared for long-duration habituation experiences, catering to researchers and photographers. This area boasts the highest number of habituated gorilla families in the park.
Nkuringo Area
Two gorilla families can be visited at Nkuringo, located in the southwest of the park and bordering Congo. While a third family crossed the border to Virunga National Park and settled in the neighbouring country, wildlife knows no boundaries.
