Bwindi Impenetrable national park

Bwindi Impenetrable national park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is most sought of when it comes to mountain gorillas, the phenomenal national park is home to half population of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, these live within the forest with freedom to roam in the natural ecosystem, Bwindi is situated in the western part of the country, it is one of the few places to find the primate species, they are the world’s largest primates led by a male silverback, the national park was gazette as a protected conservation area in the 1993 and declared a UNESCO world heritage site by the 1994 as a way of protecting the critically endangered species, it covers an area space of approximately 321 square kilometers towards the edge of the rift valley, offering an ultimate gorilla experience.

The Bwindi forest is one of Uganda’s most biodiverse tropical rainforests dating back to over 25 million years ago, it is bisected into four sectors the Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and the Rushaga sector, each of these has got habituated gorilla families to track the Mubare gorilla group was the very 1st family to be habituated and made to get used to human presence in the1993 in the Buhoma sector mountain gorilla species live freely within the ecosystem without being captivated they live in families of up to 20 members, baby gorillas live under the care of their parents until the age of 2 years old, they mostly nest on the ground hence a gorilla population census can be done by how many nests have been built, they feed in different locations allowing food to regrow mostly the plants, leaves, mushrooms.

The impenetrable forest contains thick tree canopies an undergrowth consisting mostly fans and climbing plants these act as homes to not only thee mountain gorillas but also other species like the black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, forest elephants, mountain duikers over 350 species of birds have been recorded here to date with endemics of the albertine, some are restricted to specific areas like the African green broadbill in the Ruhija sector,  despite the many animals being present in the national park they are rare to see, in the past few years the group of the last remaining population of the short structured people resided in the forest with other creatures amicably! All these existing in one environment presents a chance to do several tourism activities the number one is the,

Gorilla trekking takes place from the park headquarters within which one has bought their gorilla permits, park rangers will brief you in how to conduct yourself while with the gorillas, based on the gorilla rules and regulations tracking through the highland area is amazing however you will need to consider being physically fit as the terrain can mean to be tough, the trek takes 2 -8 hours or even the entire day depending on how far the gorilla families have moved, Gorilla habituation in relation to the trekking is done all day, on this one travelers can choose to have a gorilla doctor of board, the hike is basically to follow a gorilla group that has not been fully habituated.

Batwa cultural experience to the Batwa community a walk through the forest is amazing in any sector of the national park you can have the chance to meet the locals of the community, they lived together in harmony until they were evicted due to conservation purposes however they continued living in the  neighborhood passing onto their culture to generations, they will dance and perform to their traditional song, how they used to live , gather and hunt from the forest showcasing survival skills like making fire without using the modern day a match box or lighter!

Other things to do while here include birding, guided nature walk through the lovely forest from one sector to another sector, community walks, community hospital to mention a few, the park can be accessed by road passing through the angelic small towns and villages, it approximately +/- 9 hours drive to reach the destination charter flights of scheduled flights to the destination can arranged from Entebbe or Kajjansi for +/-2 hours flight, these land at the Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip.

KIGALI CAPITAL CITY

Covering an area of 730 square kilometers, Kigali is the largest city and capital of Rwanda located in the central region at 1,567 meters above sea level. It consists of 3 major districts – Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge, it’s surrounded by beautiful hills, valleys and plateaus which confirm the statement that Rwanda is the country of “a thousand hills.”

According to the 2012 population census, it is estimated to have around 859,332 people. It is one of the smallest cities on the African continent and yet the cleanest of all. The initiative of making Kigali the cleanest city commenced by the banning of plastic bags and since the ban was put in place, the city is almost spotless. The government also introduced a system of “Umuganda” which happens on every last Saturday of the month where Rwandan citizens take part in cleaning the country by tending to their gardens, sweeping the streets and burning rubbish.

Kigali became the capital city officially on 1st July, 1962 when Rwanda attained its independence, it has since become the major commercial and administrative center with continuous infrastructure development like beautifully constructed roads, buildings and to register this success, Rwanda recently hosted the commonwealth summit successfully.  It is also the main entrance into the country through Kigali International Airport.

When the Rwandan genocide occurred in 1994, growth of the city drastically declined however, it immediately picked up and the buildings that were destroyed were reconstructed. Kigali city has also developed to become one of the safest cities to visit in the world.

Kigali city, is a beautiful and amazing city full of exciting discoveries and adventure, here are the top attractions to visit during your stay in Kigali.

Attractions in Kigali City.

Kigali Genocide Memorial Site

Located in Gisozi, this site holds the remains of over 250,000 people who died during the 1994 Genocide. In commemoration of the 1994 genocide, the site was opened on 7th April, 2004. People who lost their beloved ones still pay a visit to the site to pay their last respects and grief.

This memorial site also has a museum where visitors can learn more about the tragedy of the traumatizing genocide including how it started, its causes and effects. This is one of the most visited sites in Rwanda and once here visitors can donate and the money is used to maintain the site.

Kimironko Market

This is a traditional market where all kinds of art and craft works are displayed and sold. Various local Rwandan artists with magical art pieces that depict the African culture and society and also other beautifully inspired art pieces display most of their work here, tourists can visit this market and purchase some souvenirs to remember Rwanda by.

Inema art gallery

An art gallery located in the city center displays different art works inclusive of fashion designs from 10 different fashion designers in Rwanda.

Presidential Palace Museum

This is home to former president of Rwanda whose plane crushed during genocide at his residential home in Kigali. Till today, the remains of the plane still exist at this site. The site is also home to the Rwandan Art Museum where historical relics and contemporary art works by Rwandan artists are displayed.

Richard Kandt’s House

Rwanda was once ruled by Germany until 1916 when Belgians took over. During the German rule, Richard Kandt was the first governor of Rwanda. His house was turned into a museum and partitioned into three different parts – the first shows the social, economic and political lifestyle of the people of Rwanda, second shows how people of Rwanda lived during the Germany rule and the third section displays how Kigali came to be the capital of Rwanda, how Kigali was during colonial times and how it is in post-colonial times. This is the place to go for all history lovers.

Dancing pots

This is a fun filled spot where culture enthusiasts get to meet the Batwa people and learn more about them – including their traditional dances, take part in art and crafts workshops where participants engage in pottery, basket making and beading.

Nyamirambo Women’s Center

Located on the outskirts of Kigali City, this is the most colorful town, also known as the Muslim town of Kigali since it has a large population of Muslims. The area is very loud and busy with markets, local food restaurants and mosques that are always open, and ready to welcome visitors.

 

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

The gorilla tracking adventure presents explorers with the golden opportunity to wander through the protected primeval, blooming forests in Uganda. Visitors get the chance to spend time with wildlife species and listen to the sounds of nature, a perfect getaway from the usual noise and chaos of the bustling cities.

Travelers have the golden opportunity to encounter a section of the world’s only remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Spend time with them, watch them live their untroubled lives.

Description of the gorilla national parks in Uganda.

Uganda has two distinct habitats hosting mountain gorillas. They have similar characteristics but also showcase differences in terms of natural endowments and the population of gorillas they host. The two gorilla national parks incorporate;

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi lies in the southwest of Uganda in the present-day Kanungu district. The Bwindi forest covers an area of up to 331 square kilometers. This captivating national park hosts Africa’s oldest tropical rainforest which further makes it a perfect home for the gentle giants. Bwindi is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site due to the exceptional biodiversity it’s associated with. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four gorilla trekking sectors hosting 21 fully habituated gorilla families.

A trek through Bwindi leaves you excited and makes you appreciate nature more because it has a lot to feed your eyes. From the breathtaking towering rainforests to the calm demeanor of mountain gorillas. Bwindi is indeed the place to be for every nature enthusiast.

Mgahinga National Park.

Mgahinga on the other hand is also a gorilla National Park in Uganda hosting one gorilla family. The gorilla family is called Nyakagezi and comprises nine welcoming members. Visitors enjoy the time spent with the family mainly because of its organization and the cooperation among the individuals. Most of the visitors to this gorilla family cannot get over the calm character of the gorillas and how they coexist. The playful juveniles even make the trek to the family more exciting.

Mgahinga National Park spans an area of about 33.7 square kilometers comprising breathtaking volcanoes. What is so fascinating about this National Park is that it is the smallest country yet it hosts some of the most exciting tourist activities one can indulge in when in Uganda and gives equally breathtaking views that are associated with the extinct volcanoes therein.

How gorilla trekking is done, what it costs, and what to see.

Gorilla trekking activities are kick-started early morning with a briefing with the park officials that helps the guests scoop information on what to do and what to stay away from when on the trek. Guests are told what to do when they are close to the gentle giants to maintain harmony.

The trek is done under the full-time company of the National Park Rangers who ensure that it is peaceful for both the mountain gorillas and the trekkers. The trek could go on for about 7 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family to be trekked and the speed of the trekkers.

For the opportunity to trek gorillas, one is required to present a valid permit to the authorities just before they are allowed to access them. The permits are purchased through registered tour operators at $700.00 for foreign nonresidents, $600.00 for foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 250,000 for East African citizens.

Accessing the national parks.

The gorilla national parks in Uganda can be accessed by major road transport though air transport can also be used.

To access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, visitors can drive on the Kampala – Mbarara – Kanungu road which usually takes about 10 hours for the 501.4 kilometre distance.

To access Mgahinga National Park, visitors can also use the same road. Though they will continue up to Kisoro. The journey consumes 10 to 11 hours.

When to visit.

Visitors can always access the park at all times of the year although the most preferred moments are during the dry months that is to say from early June to September and December all through to February.

 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Lies in the southwest of Uganda in the present-day Kanungu district. It spans an area of approximately 32,000 hectares of land made up of a large primeval forest, actually Africa’s oldest tropical rainforest. Bwindi is known for its exceptional biodiversity encompassing more than 163 species and about 100 ferns. It is a renowned home of the mountain gorillas. It is important to note that Uganda hosts the largest section world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas and Bwindi is one of the two national parks honored by nature to have them. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a celebrated Collection of a series of biodiversity, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site to indicate how important it is to the ecosystem and deserves to be preserved at all costs.

History of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi was first gazette as a forest reserve in 1942 by the British colonial government that was in charge of Uganda at the moment. They realized the urgent need for the protection of the forest and the conservation of the diverse flora and fauna species therein. Bwindi was later transformed into an animal sanctuary in 1964 to protect the mountain gorillas after a series of research was conducted by professionals. It was not until 1992 that it was upgraded to National Park status.

The uniqueness of Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi’s impenetrable forest stands out uniquely among other national parks in Uganda in the sense that it hosts the biggest population of the world’s only remaining Mountain gorillas. It is flocked by thousands of travelers every year with the main aim of spending time with the gentle giants and experiencing what it feels like to have them up close. The astonishing biodiversity of Bwindi further sets it apart from the rest of the national parks in the country. It is home to the oldest natural rainforest in Africa. Therefore, visitors to the park have the golden opportunity to view some of the oldest tree species that have ever existed on the African continent.

Activities done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

This magnificent National Park offers the ground for exciting tourist activities to be indulged in by travelers who spare time to visit. Some of the exciting activities include;

Gorilla trekking. This is the main activity that is to say the cash cow of the National Park. The biggest percentage of the visitors to Bwindi impenetrable National Park are those seeking adventures with the gorillas.

Gorilla habituation. It is yet another exciting activity that cannot be missed. It allows travelers to spend more time with the gorillas learning and unlearning things about them. It gives a wholesome experience as compared to the usual gorilla trekking.

Batwa cultural experiences. The Batwa Traditional people inhabit the outskirts of Bwindi impenetrable National Park and they have such interesting culture and traditions associated with them. They are a source of entertainment to the visitors. They welcome guests and tell stories about their way of life and how they coexist with the mountain gorillas in the forest.

Such stories make visits to Bwindi worthwhile.

Community walks. The community walks help travelers to have a more satisfying trip after a long trek of the gorillas. Traversing through the natural vegetation and the local villages, watching the local people groom their teenagers is another rewarding moment the visitors to Bwindi’s impenetrable National Park have at their exposure.

Main attractions.

The mountain gorillas are the main attractions in Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Bwindi hosts 21 fully habituated gorilla families that are up for visits. They are scattered all over her 4 gorilla trekking sectors that is to say Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija with each sector providing unique experiences to visitors.

Bwindi is not only home to gorillas but also other species of primates especially the black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and East African rift valley endemic birds.

How to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Travelers heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kampala can access it by driving through the Kampala – Mbarara – Kanungu road. It takes about a 10-hour Drive from Kampala to Bwindi covering the 501.4 kilometer distance.

Visitors can also opt for a flight to the park by boarding from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro airstrip from where they can be picked up by tourist guides to continue with the journey to the park for exhilarating expeditions.

Birding in Uganda

Uganda is a hub of birds, there are many colored bird species present with a list of more than 1073 bird types, the big stretch of bird list is contained within a few regions of the country mostly within the protected conservation areas, the biodiverse environment shares Africa’s majority of species most of which are restricted to the Albertine rift valley region and the Virunga massif,  in brief there are birds everywhere in Uganda, you will experience birds right as soon as you land at the Entebbe international airport flying up in the sky’s and along the Lake Victoria locally known as the Lake Nalubale

There are important birding areas of the country that are a must visit when looking at birding, the activity is done all year round but best during the wet season , it is fruiting time , with so many birds coming into the country, birding begins in Entebbe at the Mabamba swamp, the wet land area is home to over 300 species of  birds but best known for Shoe bill, the rare bird is seen along the marshy swampy papyrus rides, on wooden mortised boats visitors go looking out for the rare bird, it is at most times termed as an ugly bird because of its shoe shaped like mouth  however it is beautiful in its own way. Other species encountered here include African harrier hawk, martial eagles, pink backed pelicans, herons, sunbirds, fish eagles , Malachite king fisher among others.

Semliki national park and Game reserve in the western part of Uganda are epic points to see birds, the region is the has the most birds of Uganda, the conservation area has survived over time with physical evidences like hot springs, the park hosts including biomes of the Congo basin, expect to see birds like pygmy falcons, vultures, Nahan’s francolin, piapiac, yellow breasted sunbirds, tinker birds, shoe bill stock along the banks of Lake Albert. There are birds of the forest ,savannah species and a combined view of animals for example the Uganda Kobs,elephnats, buffaloes to mention a few.

Birding in Queen Elizabeth national park, the conservation area hosts half of the population of Uganda’s birds, there are 600 species found here in the several sectors of the park, popular bird sighting points include the Mweya peninsular, along the Kazinga channel, Kyambura gorge and in the Kasenyi plains and in the southern sector of Ishasha, birds of Queen Elizabeth national park include Abyssinian ground horn bills, Rwenzori turaco, great blue turaco, king fishers, goliath herons, pink backed pelicans to mention a few, birding in the protected conservation area is combined together with Game drives, guided nature walks and boat cruise safaris.

In conclusion, other places to view birds in Uganda include the Bwindi impenetrable national park in the south western corner of Uganda, it is a known home to Mountain gorilla species toppled with over 350 species of birds, some of these are restricted to specific regions for example the Ruhija sector is the only place to see the African green broad bill.

Batwa cultural experience

The Batwa people are known for their settlements in the forests, They present a unique culture along the slopes of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, The Bwindi is home to half the population of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, These roam throughout the park freely and not in captivation together with other forest creatures, the park was gazette in the 1994 and declared a UNESCO world heritage site as a way of protecting the critically endangered species, the Batwa lived in the forest however due to conservation purposes they were evicted and continued living along the slopes of the highly areas of Bwindi, they are a group of the last short structured people in the country.

The Batwa people are some of the first settlers of Africa, they are known as the keepers of “the forest” Experiencing the community is an amazing time, the intriguing visit gives you a close feel of the forest, they are historical when it comes to the forest tell they give a detailed description of how they used to live while in the forest, they have a rich traditional music and dance preserved and has been passed on to new generations, their performance is quite energetic and thrilling. This experience typically starts with visitors learning the way of life of these special people, guests are allowed to participate in the dance in case they are interested as a way of appreciating their culture.

Visitors experience a perfect forest walk if in Nkuringo the Buninga forest walk is one of the best experiences as you get to see the forest at large as well as the people of the forest, the guides are usually community members or even the Batwa who will show you the forest through their eyes, going to the Batwa community is blended with the famous gorilla trekking safari experience in the Bwindi impenetrable national park, There are habituated gorilla families that have been made used to human presence for guest visits, and tracking is done beginning in the morning at 8:00 am it takes 2-8 hours doing the activity depending on how far the gorilla families have moved, birding is also done while at the destination and guided nature walks, these are guided by the Uganda wildlife authority team.

Bwindi impenetrable national park can be visited all year round but is best during the dry seasons between June-September and December-February, it is approximately +/-9 hours’ drive to the destination, and flights can be arranged to the Kisoro airstrip they can be charter by scheduled flights through the domestic flight handling companies, it takes 2hr 30 minutes to fly to the destination. It is important to pack right when thinking of visiting the national park including warm clothes, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof covers for phones and Cameras, rain gear, and any other items of a personal nature.

Trips to Bwindi impenetrable national park can be combined with other national parks, like the Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park, and Kibale forest national park.

Things to do while in Uganda

Uganda is a vast land of beauty in East Africa, it is known for its stunning landscapes, mountains, forests and wildlife, and it is one of those amazing places to include on your travel bucket list annually. The country’s major entry point Entebbe international airport with the most hospitable natives who speak a variety of languages, this said there are uniform languages spoken by each one these include English or Swahili. There are lots of things to do while in Uganda below is a top list of must do’s! Mountain Gorilla trekking , chimpanzee tracking , wildlife game drives, mountain climbing, Guided nature walks, Birding in the important birding areas of Uganda, Boat cruises and launches along the many rivers and lakes.

Mountain gorilla trekking is a key thing to do in Uganda, gorilla species are found in the Bwindi impenetrable national park and the Mgahinga national park, these are a subspecies of the eastern gorilla beringei, gorillas stand out as the world’s largest living primates who can only survive in highland areas living in families of upto 20 members led by a male silverback, in a group there is always females , juveniles, black backs  and babies who make the team, they are herbivores characterized by their social character, the gentle brown eyed species do nest on the ground which is sometimes used to do an animal count.  Trekking Gorillas requires you to have a gorilla trekking permit which is usually obtained before you go to the park through a registered Ugandan tour operator.

Game drives in the savannah conservation areas of Uganda including Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park, Lake Mburo national park, Semliki national park, Murchison falls national park, these are animal points to spot the so called big four of the wilderness (lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants),other present species include , birds, antelopes, giraffes, zebras, warthogs. Game drives are conducted using open roof safari 4 wheel safari vehicles which give room to view animals, and take pictures while on Safari these are guided by an experience guide who is knowledgeable and conversant with national parks and the routing, accessing these parks requires to pay park entrance fees directly to the Uganda wildlife authority.

The Mountainous regions of the country give adventurous chances to travelers who love to hike for example the Rwenzori mountain, a block mountain in the western part of Uganda covered in snow, it is also termed as mountains of the moon, this is the high mountain boasting a growth of different vegetation zones, the Mountain Elgon national park is  eastern Uganda is fit for hikers on both sides of Uganda and Kenya as the park straddles along boarders with Kenya, to reach the summits the walk can take days depending on the speed of the last person.

Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda takes place in a few ecosystems of the Kibale forest national park, Murchison falls national park and the Kibale forest national park, the primates have been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA , they live in troops led by a male alpha, the Kibale forest national park hosts most of the population with higher chances of seeing them , travelers need to purchase permits in order to be allowed to do the chimpanzee tracking in any of the national parks. The list to Uganda’s things to do is endless, the country can be visited any time of the year however it is best during the dry seasons between December-February and June to early September. It is important to note proper travel documents when planning to visit Uganda.

Best Time to visit Uganda.

Uganda is a heavenly location in Africa, it is popularly known as the pearl is Africa due to its natural compositions, from a diverse biodiverse ecosystems these are unique and ach on eof which presents a different setup, there pre primates destinations of the Kibale forest national park , Bwindi impenetrable national park and the Mgahinga national park which have got key highlights of visiting the country, when it comes to primates the country stands as a number one destination and most sought of there are other savannah conservation areas stretching along the floor of the great Albertine rift valley including the Murchison falls national park , Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park , Semliki national park, Kidepo Valley national park and mountain regions of the Mountain Elgon national park and the Rwenzori national park.

Uganda experiences 2 seasons of weather although these have been largely affected by the global weather conditions and climatic change, the seasons include the dry season which ranges from late June – early September , December to February this is the best time to visit the country it is also regarded as a high tourism season because most travelers  come in during these months it is during this time that the savannah grassy lands tend to be shorter, the animals are visible and gather around the water areas for example in the Queen Elizabeth national park most of the mammals can be sighted along the Kazinga channel while they come to drink water and have a taste of fresh pastures, tracking primates is best done when the forest trails are less slippery accessibility is best when there is quite sunshine and warmth, the same as climbing through the volcanic rocks of mountain Elgon national park and the block mountain of the Rwenzori mountain an interesting fact of having a snowcapped mountain in an equatorial climatic zone.

The wet season on the other hand may not be best however it also has got its own merits it comes with less crowd , the grasses are greener and for the live of botany it is experiential, it is the best time to go birding while on a Ugandan safari, there are over 1050 species of birds that have been recorded in the country to date some of these are endemics of the great Albertine rift valley region, there are a lot of migratory species that come into the region more so to the important birding areas for example the Mabamba Swamp in Entebbe. With some on the most stable climate even during the wet season, Uganda can be visited all year round.

It is a landlocked country which can be accessed through its only international airport in Entebbe, or through Rwanda via Cyanika border, in order to be permitted into the country one would require to have Visa which can be applied for online on the portal of the government of Uganda. These applications require to have mandatory requirements which include a valid passport of at least 6 months to expiry date , yellow fever vaccination card, recent passports photograph, and an itinerary to the destination.