BWINDI IMPENETRABLE CONSERVATION AREA – Gorillas and Birding in Uganda
Brief Facts

BIRDING TOURS

MABAMBA BAY – Uganda Birding Swamp MABIRA FOREST BIRDING LUTEMBE BAY BIRD WATCHING BUSO FOREST BIRDING WATCHING BUDONGO FOREST RESERVE BWINDI IMPENETRABLE CONSERVATION AREA – Gorillas and Birding in Uganda KIBALE NATIONAL PARK – Uganda Birding Site LAKE MBURO – Uganda Birding Spot SEMILIKI NATIONAL PARK - Bird watching Uganda

Size: 321 sq.kms,

Elevation: 1190 at 2607m above level,

Birds recorded: 357 species Habitat:

Medium-altitude (moist evergreen) forest, montane forest with patches of bamboo (Arundinaria) and montane marshes.

Bwindi Impenetrable Conservation Area is located in the rough Kigezi highlands in South Western Uganda, protecting a series of forest ranges, from montane to low land areas. It is this altitudinal variation, combined with its location within the Albertine Rift that results in Bwindi impenetrable being the richest forest in East Africa in terms of its trees, butterflies and birds. Bwindi is a home to 360 Gorillas, half the number of the world's population of mountain gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a bird watchers' retreat as it holds 347 recorded species of birds. The forest has 10 of the 26 internationally endangered species in Uganda, five of which are at risk. Bwindi Forest has 24 of the 25 Albertine Rift endemic species in the country and some of which like the African Green Broadbill, Chapin's Flycatcher and Shelley's Crimson-wing have limited distributions somewhere else in their range. Bwindi Forest has 76 of 144 Guinea - Congo forest biome species that occur in Uganda, recorded mainly in the Northern forest segment. The place also qualifies for Afro tropical highland biome species with 68 of 86, and for the Lake Victoria biome with 4 of 12 species.

The park is blessed with 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, not easy to see in any other part of East Africa and the seven International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red data listed species. An experienced bird lover can spot over 100 species in a day at Bwindi. Ruhiija is one of the highlights of any trip to Uganda with excellent bird watching in an amazing atmosphere. Birds are abundant and easy to see; many species associating in mixed feeding flocks that are active throughout the day. An early morning bird watching start offers the most excellent chance of finding the outstandingly good-looking Francolin, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, western Green Tinkerbird, Mountain and yellow-streaked Greenbuls, Mountain marked and chestnut-throated Apalises, red-faced woodland Warbler, Rwenzori batis, white-tailed crested Flycatcher and many others.

Tourist activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

1. Mountain gorilla trekking

Forest bird watching
Nature walks

GROUPS FOR GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI

Gorilla Trekking is the major tourist activity in Bwindi, with four Gorilla groups available daily for tourists. Mubare Group (10 gorillas, 1 silverback) was opened for tourism in 1993, Habinyanja group (18 gorillas, 1 Silverback) opened I July 1998, Rushegura group (10 gorillas, 1 Silverback) was opened in July 2004, while Nkuringo group (19 gorillas, 2 silverbacks) was opened for tourism in April 2004.
When to visit Bwindi?
Bwindi can be visited any time of the year although it is more challenging during the rainy seasons. Bwindi sometimes is cold in the morning and at night. The annual average temperature range is 7°C - 20°C with the coldest months of June and July. Bwindi receives rainfall up to 2390mm in a year - concentrated during two wet seasons: short rains in March - May and heavy rains in September - November.

Accommodation in Bwindi:

1. Buhoma Community Bandas (Budget)

Kitandara Tented Camp (Mid-range)
Gorilla Forest Camp (luxury)