Location: South Western Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro Districts.
Size: 331 square kilometres.
Altitude Range: 1160 metres (Ishasha gorge) - 2607 metres (Rwamunyonyi Peak).
Annual Temperature Range: 7-20 degrees Celcius
Coldest Period: June-July
Annual Precipitation: 1130 mm - 2390 mm
Rainfall Pattern: Heaviest rains experienced in March - April and September - November. Other months are generally dry.
Local People: Majority are Bakiga and Bafumbira, constituting the most dense settlements in Uganda, ( 233 people/ square kilometers )

SPECIES DIVERSITY

120 species of mammals including 7 diurnal primates and about 30 elephants. There are about 360 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies. This afromontane forest has dense under storey of fern, vines, shrubs. About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10 of which occur nowhere else in Uganda.

GORILLA TRACKING

This is a major tourist attraction in Bwindi. The gorillas in Bwindi National Park have been habituated since April 1993 and there are now four different groups that can be visited:
1. Mubare group (16 gorillas; 1 silverback )
2. Habinyanja group (23 gorillas; 2 silverbacks)
3. Rushegura group (9 gorillas; 1 silverback)
4. Nkuring group (20 gorillas; 2 silverbacks)
Get updates from Uganda Wildlife Authority ( UWA ) Headquarters or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Eight permits per day are sold for each of these groups at UWA Headquarters in Kampala. Book at least 4 months ( but not more than one year ) in advance to ensure that requested dates are available.

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi can be strenuous, therefore ensure physical fitness. Bring jungle boots and rain jackets because the park is often wet. Your gorilla tracking experience starts at 8:30 am local time and occasionally lasts the whole day! For conservation reasons, visits to the gorillas are tightly controlled.

BIRD WATCHING

Bwindi is the Bird watchers haven ! It holds 348 species of birds and contains 90% of all Albertine rift Endemics such as; the Short-tailed Warbler, Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Gruer's Rush Warbler, Wilcock's Honey-guide, Yellow-eyed black Fly-catcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Crimson Wing, White-tailed Blue Monarch among others, difficult or impossible to see in any other part of EastAfrica.

An experienced bird watcher can identify up to 100 species in a day! Visit Ruhija and Buhoma for this dream. Indicate your interest to the guide so that appropriate early morning departures can be arranged.

NATURE WALKS

For the visitor who has 2 or 3 days in Bwindi the park has 4 fantastic hiking trails. On all these trails, you have opportunities to see and learn about primates, many species of birds, butterflies, trees, and other organisms. Arrange at the reception for a guide. The guide's company is obligatory and yet affords you an excellent understanding of nature's system at work in the park.

THE MUNYANGA RIVER TRAIL

Is an ideal short walk for visitors with little time to spare. Here you can see birds and primates of the forest edge. The popular waterfall trail provides an attractive feature of the forest with a profusion of tree ferns, epithetic ferns, orchids and Bwindi's colourful array of butterflies. This trail which leads to 3 delightful crystal clear waterfalls typifies your impression of a tropical rain forest.

THE RUSHURRA TRAIL

Commands expansive views across the western rift valley floor. To the west, Congo's Parc Nationale des Virungas provides a spectacular backdrop, and on clear das Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountain are visible.

THE MUZABAJIRRO TRAIL

Offer breath taking views of Bwindi Forest. Western Rift Valley and the Virungas. On the way, you witness hundreds of pre-historic tree ferns. The top of this trail is a great place for a picnic lunch.

THE RUIZI RIVER TRAIL

So far the longest in the park will occupy you for a full day. It is highly recommended for bird watchers.

The Trail in YOUR CAR.....

Visitors with their own 4 -wheel drive transport should consider crossing the rugged centre of the park through Ruhija. This transect affords the visitor with Uganda's finest vistas of deep undisturbed forests. Watch out for duikers, primates and both forest and grassland bird species. In Ruhija, visitors can take the three-hour scenery packed hike to the Mubwindi swamp. You may also walk to the Bamboo zone ( the only such area in the park ).

THE BAMBOO TRAIL

The Bamboo trail offers 14 vegetation types and is one of the areas of highest diversity in the park. At the top of this trail, you witness panoramic views encompassing Lake Bunyonyi and Mafuga Forest.

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE

In the evenings, participate in captivating traditional performances presented by Women's groups. Proceeds from these go directly to improve the welfare of families around the park.

ACCOMMODATION

African Pearl Safaris offers a medium range accommodation homestead.
Abercrombie and Kent has luxury tented accommodation.
Mantana also provides fully furnished luxury tented accommodation.
The local community operate a rest camp with clean and simple bandas. A restaurant serving simple traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner is available.

RUHIJA

There is self catering guest house which is booked in advance through Great Lakes Safaris.

KIHIHI
Savanna Resort Hotel is 40 kms to Buhoma and is adjacent to Ishasha sector, of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

ACCESS
Kampala to Kabale is a distance of 414 kms on bitumen surface and takes 6-7 hours. An additional 120 kms from Kabale to Buhoma Park Headquarters via Kanungu and Kanyantoorogo on Murram surface takes 3-4 hours and may require a 4WD vehicle. Kabale- Ruhija-Buhoma is 95 kilometers and takes about 3 hours. This road is not used much by the public. A 4WD vehicle is recommended.