Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the most sought after protected area worldwide due to its incredible biodiversity. This park lies at the rim of the western rift valley covering an area of about 331 square kilometers and surrounded by Kisoro, Rukungiri and Kabale districts.

Bwindi National Park was established in 1992 mainly to offer refuge to over 400 individuals of endangered mountain gorillas that thrive within its thick jungles and represent approximately half of all the individuals that thrive in the world today.

Wildlife population in Bwindi national park

In addition to the gorillas, the park hosts unique mammal species that make up a total of around 120 including:

Primates i.e. the black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons; 27 frog species, 30 elephants, and not to forget its over 360 bird-life, 23 of which are highly localized Albertine rift endemics and 14 of them can’t be spotted any part of the country (the notable birds include the African green broad-bill, brown necked parrot, white tailed blue flycatcher and frazers eagle owl); 324 distinct species of trees with about 10 of them that you won’t get anywhere in Uganda (its afro montane forest features thick vines, shrubs, and ferns), 200 butterflies with 8 of them that are endemic to the Albertine rift and others.

Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
  • Mountain gorilla tracking
  • Birding
  • Nature walks
  • Cultural encounters
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi National Park is accessible both by road and by air.

By road, visitors can spend about 9-10 hours while driving from Kampala city centre or Entebbe Airport. From Kampala to Kabale you will drive for a distance of about 414 kilometers approximately 6 t0 7 hours drive and then you drive for about 120 kilometers from Kabale to Buhoma park headquarters through Kanungu and Kanyantoroogo on murram road which takes you nearly 3 to 4 hours. Due to the kind of the roads, you will need a 4×4 vehicle. From Kabale to Ruhija to Buhoma, you will drive for a distance of 95 kilometers approximately 3 to 4 hours drive.

By air, you can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro airfield or Kihihi airstrip and then connect by road up to the park.

CLICK HERE to view safari options in Uganda which include Bwindi impenetrable national park