What Does Bwindi the “Impenetrable” Forest Mean

Among the 1st clients we handled in mid 1990s to trek mountain gorillas were always disturbed by the word “impenetrable” . To their understanding was that this forest day and night is dark and no light at all even during the day remains dark. Whereby they asked us if they can come with flush light torches to use while trekking gorillas . However we allayed their fears by informing them that by the word impenetrable, it meant that there was a lot of undergrowth coming into different canopies below tall trees aged over 100 years in this forest . This undergrowth would not allow penetrating the forest easily to reach where mountain gorillas would be foraging. Hence the word impenetrable forest. Today, Travel Hemispheres has handled many people who have trekked mountain gorillas doing uganda safaris and forest trails have been developed though not permanent but trekking is a lot easier that when mountain trekking safaris started in 1990s.

Today Travel hemispheres also offer flying safaris to see and trek gorillas and road safaris all the choice is yours and based of choice and price. Thus during low season rates , people who would wish to spend less time on the road can also fly to Bwindi with schedule flight. Clients can capitalised on this to offer a three-day gorilla tracking safari with a permit and will pay US$ 2400 per person for 2 people sharing doing a flying safari to Bwindi. Clients will be staying at Mahogany Springs Lodge – a luxury facility. For overzealous clients on sight seeing can track gorillas at Kisoro side and will take advantage of seeing the spectacular Lake Mutanda and the volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, and will stay at Nshongi Gorilla Resort. Where they enjoy good quality food and en suite accommodation. With the safari including 3 travel days, travelers will track through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest until the mountain gorillas are located, after which the group will spend one hour with the gorillas.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four habituated gorilla centers which are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Bwindi has over 400 gorillas in ss Each of these areas has gorillas families that have been habituated and opened for tourism purposes. Uganda currently has about 19 gorilla families open for tourism, of which 18 are in Bwindi Forest and another at Mgahinga National Park . Some of these gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include the Rushegura family, Mubare family, Oruzogo gorilla family, Bweza gorillas family, Nkuringo family, Bitukura family, and others. Bwindi is open for gorilla trekking all year long, and is the major activity forming uganda safaris but the best times to go are from June to August and December to February. At these times, the forest trails are drier and therefore less slippery. Also, your chance of a dry gorilla viewing experience is higher during these months. This might result in a better experience and photography will be easier. Mgahinga National Park has one habituated gorilla group that can be tracked by tourists. Gorilla tracking is the most thrilling tourist activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The habituated gorilla group in this park is called the Nyakagezi, which consists of 9 members, 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 2 infants. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is open to visitors throughout the year. But it is best done in June, July, August, and September then December, January, and February. During this period, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is easier because it is a dry season and the habitat remains relatively drier thus making it simpler for visitors to hike through the dense jungles and steep slopes to search for mountain gorillas. However, March, April, May, and October, November are equally good for one to embark on gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park but these months are characterized by heavy rainfall, muddy and slippery steep slopes which make it challenging for one to hike while in search for these apes. Gorilla tracking is an intensive experience at Bwindi national park that can take the whole day. The guide leads you through the gorilla’s world, explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way. We must stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, success is NOT guaranteed! However, from the past sightings, there are high chances of meeting the mountain gorillas. When tracking, travelers should know that the mountain gorillas are wild creatures with no fixed routine, and finding them requires the skill and experience of your trackers and guides, as well as luck.