Bwindi National Park ranked Number 1

Bwindi National Park ranked Number 1

Bwindi National Park ranked Number 1 :  the park is basically one of the last redoubts of the mountain gorilla. Over 400 call this UNESCO-protected national park home, with the chance for visitors to trek and meet the different habituated gorilla groups. Its biodiversity extends far beyond its most famous inhabitants. However, 438 bird species and 220 butterfly species can be found within its 331 square kilometer expanse. CCN Travel has named Bwindi Impenetrable National Park one of the best hiking trails for gorilla trekking in the world. In fact, this park was placed in number 15 out of the 23 ranked hiking trails. “Wildlife walks don’t come more fascinating than a trip to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Here, you can get up close and personal with the area’s mountain gorilla population” refer to the document from CNN Travel about Bwindi.

Why Bwindi ranks high?

The park is located in Southwest Uganda and it is home to more than half of the population of mountain gorillas. Currently, the estimates show that there are about 1000 mountain gorillas in the world and about 600 of them are found in Bwindi. The remaining populations of mountain gorillas are found in the 3 national parks.

These include; volcanoes in Rwanda, Virunga in DR Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The park is commonly known for breathtaking gorilla safaris and gorilla tours that are arranged for travelers to trek gorillas throughout the year. The rugged and steep terrain of Bwindi coupled with its dense vegetation makes the park one of the most adventurous in the region for hikers.

What to see & do in Bwindi 

As a matter of fact, trekking is the main safari activity in Bwindi. 99 percent of Bwindi visitors come for gorilla trekking though there are other complimentary tour activities in the park. These include; birding, nature walks, cultural experience, not to mention but a few. The park has got more than 15 habituated gorilla families available for visitors to track. Here, there are almost 100 percent chances for visitors to meet and interact with their allocated gorilla family/group.

How to go get to Bwindi for a Gorilla Safari?

Here, trekking mountain gorillas are usually organized through reliable local tour agents like Great Nest Image Safaris. They will help you to book your gorilla permit which is always done in advance due to limited availability of the permits. Once your permit has been booked, the agent will also help you to book your accommodation. They will also arrange your transport to ensure that you have a successful trip that will last in your memory for a lifetime. They will also brief you on what to pack for gorilla safari.   

When to go Bwindi?

There are both a peak and off season in gorilla tracking. The peak season happens between June, September, and December to January. In fact, this is the best time to trek the mountain gorillas in the Jungles of Bwindi. This is a dry season and the hikes are less difficulty compared to the rainy season though it can always rain anytime in Bwindi.

What else to see in Bwindi?

Although known for gorillas, there are several other wildlife species in the park that visitors can see. These include; large mammals like elephants, primates like monkeys and baboons. There are over 23 bird species in Bwindi including Albertine Rift endemics. There are also guided forest walks that introduces you to other natural treasures of this magnificent wild.