Tourists from around the world visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park all year round mainly to Track Mountain Gorillas. One of the fascinating Facts About Bwindi National Park is the existence of the rare Mountain Gorillas.
Here are more facts about Bwindi National Park.
Mountain Gorilla in Bwindi
Facts:
- Bwindi is a UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site and a habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas.
- Located in South Western Uganda on the edge of the western rift valley, covering 331 square kilometers shared by Kabale, Kisoro and Rukungiri districts on the edge of the western rift valley.
- It lies on an altitude range of 2607m (Rwamunyonyi peak)-1160m (Ishasha gorge).
- The drive distance from Kampala to Kabale is 414Kms and takes 6-7hours, from Kabale via Ruhija to Buhoma where the park headquarters are based takes 3-4 hours in a 4-wheel vehicle.
- Bwindi protects 200-300 tree species that are unique to the African rainforests.
- Bwindi canopy has 10 primates (mountain gorillas, mountain L’Hoest monkey, red tail monkey, blue monkey, black and white colobus, olive baboon and the chimpanzee), 350 bird species (23 albertine Rift endemics and 184 forest birds), 120 mammal species, 28 species of amphibians, 28 reptiles (snakes and lizards), 200 butterfly species.
- Southern sector of Bwindi is at a higher altitude and is less dense with open areas created by humans and elephants. Northern sector is at a lower altitude and has a closed canopy forest.
Bwindi has 5 gates, 4 of which are visitor interest and these include Nkuringo(high ridge with views of the virunga volcanoes), Ruhija( birding, nature walks to bamboo zone, swamp), Buhoma(gorillas more accessible. Three waterfalls, Batwa experience), Rushaga (largest number of habituated gorilla groups and sporadic elephant visits.
Bwindi Forest National Park is famous for Gorilla Tracking Tours and is one of the most visited Uganda tourist destinations. Contact us anytime for more Facts about Bwindi National Park.