BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an exceptional sanctuary where unique biodiversity meets an incredible variety of habitats. This tropical rainforest is estimated to be approximately 25,000 years old. Located in southwestern Uganda, on the edge of the Albertine Rift, Bwindi is world-renowned for protecting more than 460 mountain gorillas, half of the global population.

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The park also holds a special place on every birdwatcher’s list, with over 400 bird species. Among them, 23 are endemic to the Albertine Rift, such as the African Green Broadbill. March and September are the best months for easy observation. For lovers of migratory birds, like the cinnamon-chested bee-eater, the period from April to November is ideal.

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For easier management, the park, which covers 321 km², is divided into several sectors: Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, from which tourists can track gorillas. Each sector is home to different gorilla families.

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Why does the Ruhija sector stand out among the five gorilla-tracking sectors ?

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Buhoma was once the most visited sector for gorilla tracking, being the first developed for tourism. However, trends are changing and more and more tourists are preferring Ruhija for four main reasons :

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1. Ruhija offers unobstructed views of the Virunga Mountains, Africa’s oldest park, and its active volcanoes. From the high hills, visitors can also see Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Lake Albert, a birdwatching paradise in the Albertine Rift Valley.

2. Ruhija is much closer to Kabale, the main road access point to the park. It takes about one hour to reach, compared to roughly three hours to Buhoma, partly because the road to Buhoma is often impassable.

3. Visitors are more likely to encounter forest elephants in Ruhija than in any other sector.

4. The gorillas in Buhoma are accustomed to tourists and are relatively calm, while those in Ruhija remain wild, as the area is still largely untouched.

Below are some examples of gorilla families in Ruhija ;

It is rare for a gorilla family to have more than two dominant males, known as 'silverbacks' because of the silver-grey fur they develop upon reaching maturity. The Bitukura group is a remarkable exception in Uganda, as it includes three of them. These powerful patriarchs lead and protect a community of 11 members, ranging in age from 5 months to 32 years. This diversity, from tiny infants to imposing adult males, allows visitors to observe the full richness of social behaviors within a single family.

Highly popular among trekking enthusiasts, the Oruzogo group lives deep within the forest, offering a complete immersion into this pristine ecosystem. These gorillas spend much of their time on the ground in secondary forest areas, which greatly facilitates observation and photography. The family of 12 members takes its name from the 'Oruzogoto' plant, a tender plant that makes up the bulk of their diet.

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The Batwa community

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Meeting the Batwa community in the villages bordering Bwindi, such as Ruhija, is a profoundly moving experience. Despite their relocation from the park over a decade ago, the Batwa maintain an unbreakable spiritual and cultural bond with the forest. By sharing their ancestral knowledge—from gathering wild fruits to traditional rituals—they offer visitors a living testament to their unique heritage.

Your voluntary contributions directly support the community and help them preserve their cultural legacy in the heart of Bwindi.