Uganda National
Parks
Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park —
Uganda
Mountain
Gorilla of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
|
Forest
in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,
Uganda
|
 Virunga
Mountains Uganda in Bwindi National Park,
Uganda |
Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park
In
the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest live half
the world's populations of highly endangered Mountain
Gorillas. Visiting them is one of the most emotional
wildlife encounters you will ever experience. This
pocket of huge primeval forest in the Virunga Mountain
range is one of the most biologically diverse areas
on earth. It has an eco-system that defines the very
essence of the continent and has therefore been designated
as a World Heritage Site. The
forest floor is damp and laden with leaf mould, matted
vegetation and fallen vines, which serve to trip you
up as you clamber up and down the slippery slopes
in search of a glimpse of the elusive gorillas.
Searching up to altitudes
of 6,500 feet (1,982 metres) can be exhausting but
the rewards are worth it. Of course it may not be
as difficult as that, but when visiting the Bwindi
gorillas you should be prepared to unleash the explorer
in you.
All
Safaris & Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park, Uganda |
Click
Here |
Visiting the Gorillas
You will be told that
if the big male silverback charges at you, you should
look down and remain exactly where you are in a submissive
pose. These words of wisdom are directly opposite
to your natural instincts, but luckily a ranger is
there to grab you should your feet disobey the instructions.
The noise of the silverback pounding his chest during
this mock charge is akin to overhead thunder and more
than enough to make your knees knock and heart miss
a beat. As the gorillas grow more accustomed to human
presence, the charges do not happen so often. Each
gorilla group is only visited for one hour a day by
a limited number of people who have normally purchased
permits months in advance.
Animals
in the Park
There
are many other primates in the park including chimpanzees,
black and white colobus, red colobus and blue monkeys,
grey-cheeked mangabey and L'Hoest's monkey .Wildlife
inhabiting the forest floor includes elephants, giant
forest hogs and small antelopes, few of which are
encountered.
Seasons
Dry
Season
January
and February plus June to September are the driest
months and are the best time for gorilla trekking.
Even in the dry season you should be prepared to get
wet in the occasional afternoon thunderstorm.
Rainy
Season
Many
roads are impassable after the long rains of March
to May and it becomes hot and humid with a very slippery
forest floor. It also usually rains in October and
November.
Temperatures
A
pleasantly hot temperature of 80°F (25°C)
can be expected from June to September, rising to
85°F (27°C) in January and February.
Bwindi
Highlights
•
Close encounters with mountain gorillas
• Hiking the Virunga Mountains
• Unique flora
Facts
About Bwindi
The
Park covers an area of 127 miles² (330km²)
Permits
are limited to 12 per day, African Spice Safaris purchases
then in advance
It is located in the far south-west of the country
where Uganda, Rwanda and DRC (Congo) meet.
Getting to Bwindi is an adventure in itself as you
have to cross much of Uganda by road to get there
