BWINDI NATIONAL PARK Overview Bwindi Impenetrable National - TopicsExpress



          

BWINDI NATIONAL PARK Overview Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Ugandas oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 320 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked. This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. The neighboring towns of Buhoma and Nkuringo both have an impressive array of luxury lodges, rustic bandas and budget campsites, as well as restaurants, craft stalls and guiding services. Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops and village walks. Park at A Glance Size: 321km2 Altitude: 1,160m - 2,607m above sea level. Bwindi was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. The Mubare gorilla group was the first to become available for tourism in Uganda in April 1993. Nine groups are now habituated for tourism, and one for research. Spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys, Bwindi is the source of five major rivers, Wildlife and Birding Getting There By Road Bwindi can be reached from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the north (2-3 hours), from Kabale to the south (1-2 hours), or from Kampala via Mbarara (6-8 hours). The roads meet at Butogota, 17km from the Buhoma entrance gate. A 4WD vehicle is necessary during the rainy season. By Air Travelers can fly from Entebbe or Kampala (Kajjansi airfield) to the modern tarmac airstrip at Kisoro. Planes can also be chartered to the grass Kayonza or Savannah airstrips. Bwindi is well served by three airfields at Kayonza and Kihiihi for the northern sector and Nyakabande in Kisoro for those going to track gorillas in the southern sector (Nkuringo, Nshongi and Mishaya). Activities Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Bwindi has a population of around 340 gorillas of which an estimated 116 are habituated. Gorillas are intelligent, majestic, gentle giants that share over 90% of their genetic material with humans. All of Bwindi’s habituated gorillas are known individually by the rangers and have been given names in order to identify them. The males can weigh more than 500lb and some silverbacks exceed 6ft!It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat, rest, play and bond with their young. Follow the mountainggorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest, and discover their gorgeous natural habital and the many species they share it with. Birding in Bwindi Bwindi offers some of the finest montane forest bird watching in Africa, and is an unmissable destination for any birder visiting Uganda. There are an estimated 350 bird species with 23 endemic to the Albertine Rift and 14 recorded nowhere else in Uganda. Globally threatened species such as African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimsonwing are also found here. Other birds include the Handsome Francolin; Black-billed Turaco; African Broadbill; Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters; Western Green Tinkerbird; Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds; Short-tailed and Black-faced Rufous Warblers; Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis; Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls; and Many-colored Bush-Shrike, among others. Cultural Encounters in Bwindi Explore the culture of the local Bakiga and Batwa communities with village walks, blacksmith visits, craft shops and vibrant dances - all against the astounding backdrop of the forest-covered hills of Bwindi. Cycling/Mountain Biking in Bwindi Mountain biking follows a well-maintained trail from the park headquarters at Buhoma to the Ivi River. Along this 13km trail you may see wildlife such as bushbucks, black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkeys. Hiking/Nature Walks in Bwindi There are six main nature trails in Buhoma for those who wish to explore the “impenetrable forest”, including waterfall walks, forest walks, primate encounters, mountain views and impressive birdlife. Accommodation Buhoma Area Buhoma Community Rest Camp Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp Buhoma Lodge Silverback Lodge Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge Engagi lodge Gorilla Resort Mahogany springs camp Bwindi Guest House Bwindi View Bandas Eco Marvels Gorilla Resort Gorilla Friends Lodge Jungle View Lodge Nkuringo area Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge Nkuringo Gorilla Camp Nshongi Camp Nyundo Valley Hill Bandas Ruhija Area Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp Trekkers Tavern cottages Gift of Nature Lodge Ruhija Gorilla Resort Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort & Campsite Ruhija Community Rest Camp Rubuguri Wagtail Eco-Safari Camp
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 05:35:27 +0000

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