The Bwindi Impenetrable
Forest National Park
Bwindi is one of the countries newest national parks gazetted in 1991 and covering an area of 331 sqkm to conserve the last of the rarest remaining gorilla species the Mountain Gorilla. Bwindi is home to half the world’s surviving population Mountain Gorillas being part of an important scientific conservation programme. The Park is located in south western Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro, and Kabale Districts in an altitude range of 1,160m and 2,607m ASL.
It is situated in a hilly countryside which, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary, constitute an important water catchment area for many rivers, supplying the agricultural land of the surrounding region.
This is one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa. There exists about one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Gorilla tracking being the main focus of tourism activities in the park began on 1st April, 1993. Other animals present in the park include the Black and white colobus monkey, chimpanzee, elephant, bushbuck, buffallo, civet cat, bushpig, giant forest hog, black-fronted duiker, yellow backed duiker, clawless otter, genet and many species of bats and rodents.
Birdlife in Bwindi is prolific and most certainly one of the best birding locations in East Africa. Species regarded by birders as specials to the park include Black billed turaco, Yellow eyed black flycatcher, Black bee-eater, Kivu ground thrush, Grauers warbler, Bar-tailed trogon and really too many more to mention. The Ruhija area of Bwindi is home to the Green Broadbill a very rare but ever present bird.