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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 1^st 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.

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 1^st 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 7^th 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.

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 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.