Why Is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Called So – Gorilla Trekking Safaris –Uganda Destination
Why is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Called so; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is called so, because the word Bwindi is derived from the local word the Runyakitara word Mubwindi which means ‘’a place full of darkness’’. The word Mubwindi comes from the extensive stands of bamboo interspersed amongst the larger forest hardwoods. The bamboo and thick ground covers of ferns, vines and other plant growth severely hinder direct access on foot. However, Bwindi Impenetrable forest is located on the edge of the western arm of the Great rift valley, bordered with Democratic Republic of Congo and about 25 kilometers away to the north of the Virunga Mountains.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the most biologically diverse inhabitant on Earth, with half of the world’s population of the highly endangered mountain gorillas that inhabits within its borders. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was recognized by the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as well as the World Heritage Site for its biological significance. Moreover, the forest harbors over 120 mammal species like Forest elephants ,yellow backed duikers ,350 bird species such as handsome francolins, black bee-eaters, black billed turacos, African green broadbills, great blue turacos, African black ducks, Cassin’s grey flycatchers among others ,220 butterfly species and 27 frog species ,small primates which are also residents of here include chimpanzees ,blue monkeys ,L’Hoest monkey ,Red tailed monkeys ,vervet monkeys ,black and white colobus monkeys among others.
In general, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park is the top touristic safari destination of Uganda ,this is because the park ranks the world’s half remaining population of great mountain gorillas in the wild and over 20 habituated gorilla families divided into four gorilla sectors where Gorilla trekking is carried out from ,that is Buhoma ,Rushaga ,Ruhija and Nkuringo sector .Bwindi hosts over 600 individuals of the total of 1064 mountain gorillas of which the remaining gorillas can be seen in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo as well as in Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda. This park was created to provide protection to the forest’s mountain gorilla population from poachers and habitat loss. In matter of doing so, now Bwindi is the main stopping safari destination on African safari for Gorilla trekking which is led on a daily basis into different sections of the forest so that trekkers can see the mountain gorillas on affordable price and this has generated necessary funds for the protection of these unique apes-primates. Note, this forest before being gazette into a national park, it was home for Batwa people who used to live with mountain gorillas in peace and harmony, Batwa people could eat together with mountain gorillas but later no they lost their traditional hunting grounds and living area through the establishment of the park.
Gorilla trekking is the main done activity in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park since is a home of mountain gorillas our closest cousins whom we share 98% DNA. The best way to see mountain gorillas in their nature inhabits of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is to go for trekking which is half day experience with one hour given to spend with them face to face as you enjoy their amazing life style and photograph shooting. There is no possible way of trekking mountain gorillas unless you pay for the valid Gorilla trekking permits which costs USD700 per person per day for foreign nonresident and USD600 for foreign resident. You can choose to the whole day experience spend four hours with mountain gorillas in their nature habitat –Gorilla Habituation Experience which goes at USD1,500 per person per day. All permits can be booked direct from Uganda Wildlife Authority a governing body to all Uganda’s national park or best way we recommend you is to book with trustworthy tour operator and if you don’t mind you can book with us Achieve Global Safaris through contact or Email, we are waiting to care from you.
Accessibility; Bwindi Impenetrable forest can easily be accessed both by road or by air transport depending on client’s wishes. Road transport from Kampala city or Entebbe to Bwindi can seem to be along driving distance but more rewarding with your sights as you can go unwinding the fresh air, sight -seeing of country side, visit the Uganda equators, Igongo culture center, sight -seeing of the rolling hills, banana plantation and you can opt to do game drive to Lake Mburo national park. Road transport is recommended to use 4×4 wheel vehicles.
By Air transport; Alternatively, you can fly with domestic flight to Kihihi airstrip from Kajjansi Airfield which lasts 1:15 inclusive with the pick -up drive to the park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was designated as a national park in 1994 and covers an area of about 331 square kilometers, located in southwestern region of Uganda in the Kanungu district. More so, the park sits on the edge of the Albertine rift valley the western branch of the East African Rift at elevation ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 meters, the forest also contains about 160 species of trees and over 100 species ferns. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is governed by ‘’NEMA’’ National Environment Management Authority of Uganda and also managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority a body that governs all conservation area and reserves.
