GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA, BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southern Western part of Uganda and it’s also on the rim of the rift valley. It has too hillsides that are covered with mist and also sheltered by one of the known ancient and biologically varied rain forest in Uganda dating back to more than 25000 years hence comprising of 400 varied tree species. Therefore, first and foremost “impenetrable forest” too protects and predictable 440 mountain gorillas, a number which is approximately half of the world’s population and this number of habituated groups can be tracked by visitors. “Bwindi” as a word  means “darkness” and therefore taking a nature walk in this magnificent forest will so unveil the reason why the forest is regarded as impenetrable since one requires to be realistically and physically fit to taking part in the gorilla trekking adventure because it needs climbing of the steep terrain.

Within Bwindi Impenetrable national park, there are 4 different areas/regions where tracking mountain gorillas can be done and these include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo and these areas are specialized with different accommodation facilities close to the briefing point before tracking the gorillas.

Some of the tips that a tourist should have in mind before gorilla trekking experience in Uganda include;

·         A tourist should have walking boots and just in case he or she is going to hike or climb.

·         Warm layers of clothes due to cold evenings and also another cloth incase for bitter (wet) weather since there are different altitudinal levels, both cold and wet throughout the day.

·         Though when during day the sun is always strong or favoring even if when it’s a cloudy day. This is a call for one to carry and wear sunscreen shades as well as a hat in case one is fine with it.

·         Carrying a water proof jacket for safe guarding the photographing cameras plus other equipment or items for the hiking process, water and sucks are too accepted, plus packed lunch from your lodge.         

     Nature walks in Bwindi areas can be seen through Munyangwa River, and also undertake bird watching since Uganda’s ancient forest shows that it’s the perfect habitat for all the bird species with about 350 recorded different species and also with 23 endemics that attack them.

Therefore in addition to the so known endangered impressive mountain gorillas, it’s said or known that there are about 350 bird species and more than 200 butterfly species, 324 tree species and ten of which are found nowhere in Uganda which makes it a magical destination to explore.

Biologically Bwindi Forest as  a region itself offers shelter  to more 120 mammals and among these are various primate different  species such as baboons, chimpanzees, elephants and as well as antelopes. They are also 350 bird species that are found within the forest and among these are 23 Albertine Rift endemics. 

Lastly, Bwindi could be especially cold both in the morning and evening since the annual temperatures always range from 7⁰C to 20⁰ C with the coldest months that include June and July  and the two of wet seasons with short rains during the months of March and May plus too heavy rainfall  that comes along in September to November though its known that in Bwindi rain often falls for long hours of soft drizzle instead of the short tropical deluge which makes a tour agent to prepare depending on the kind of season.

Therefore other National Parks in Uganda where gorilla trekking can take place include; Mgahinga National Park which is located in the South western Uganda on the boarder of Congo and Rwanda, and its known to be the smallest forest park in Uganda and her main attraction too is gorilla trekking with other significant activities that include; golden monkey tracking, birding, hiking, nature walks & cultural encounters with the local people.