Where is Bwindi Impenetrabel Forest

Bwindi  Forest  popularly  is known as the Bwindi  Impenetrable forest national park .  This forest had existed from time immemorial and is among the rich African Tropical forests still intact and hence called impenetrable forest  “ Place of darkness” . This forest was gazetted in  1942, and was upgraded to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national Park in 1992.   And was recognized as a World’s Heritage Site in 1994. Because of the nature of this forest even natives took time to penetrate this forest and this why even the outside world took long to know much about Mountain Gorillas.  As per last census Bwindi national park has over 400 gorillas more than half of world’s mountain gorillas existing on earth.

Bwindi National park is part of the Virunga Massif that supports the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Parc national des Virunga  in Congo. These are only national parks in the world where Mountain gorillas are found. Bwindi has the largest concentrations of mountain gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is 327Sq Km of tangled vegetation draped over a deeply fissured landscape terrain  of deep slippery  valleys , high hills, draughty ridges  and punctuated with natural streams of rivers flowing all directions. Thus trekking mountain gorillas means the efforts you spend negotiating the terrain which may not be easy but is worth paying your efforts when you encounter the mountain gorillas in  their natural habitat being that mountain gorillas are among the premier wildlife encounters sought in the world people are seeking to have in their lifetime. 

Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park

mountain gorilla sliverback

Bwindi Temperatures  and climate

Bwindi can be cold especially in the  morning and at night going as far as 7 degrees centigrade .  The coolest months are usually June and July.  Thus warm clothing is usually preferred whiletrekking mountain gorillas safari. And you may not avoid rain falling on you because it usually rains almost every day  - This is a  true rain forest of Africa  if you have heard  of rain forests , Bwindi is a typical rain forest of Africa.  Thus a trekking  through this Africa’s ancient rainforest  is where will encounter mountain gorillas. Usually warm clothing’s are a must while trekking mountain gorilla and wet proof clothes are preferred  while trekking.

Bwindi receives a lot of rain 2000- 2500 mm of rain per year. The area has 2 rainy seasons in the months of March – May and in September – November  where Bwindi has a lot of rain concentrations. Thus other  months receive moderate rain and are good for mountain trekking  periods.

Bwindi Flora and Fauna

Bwindi having one of the richest eco systems, Bwindi national park supports a lot of plants and animals and insects  in Africa. It has 120 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies,, 163 species of trees, , 27 species of frogs, 50 species of reptiles, 100 species of ferns, , chameleons, geckos,  and many more. Birders find Bwindi a haven for birders. Birders cannot fail to view over 100 species  of birds in a  single day. Most birds are  Albertine rift endemics which are difficult to be seen in other parts  of East Africa.   Chimpanzees do exist here but are not easily seen, many monkey species – L’Hosests, red tailed and blue monkeys , black and white Colobus, baboons and the famous mountain gorillas all are fount here.  The forest also has forest elephants which are not easily seen  but they  do exist in Bwindi. Thus trekking mountain  gorillas will not only yield gentle giants but viewing other primates as well.

Accessing Bwindi impenetrable Forest.

Bwindi is approximately away from Entebbe 500km.  Road is all paved save for 80 km from Rukungiri to Buhoma. I understand this section will also be done in the 2 years and get completed. This will reduce the time spent on the road from 9 hours to 6 hours. Today Bwindi has like 4 points where to start gorilla trekking , save for Buhoma the original one , Ruhija is the also near around 460 km , Then can also go through Kisoro to trek mountain gorillas of Nkuringo and Rushaga. 

Air transport to Bwindi

Today we have daily  scheduled flights from Entebbe to all placed mentioned in the above paragraph. Flight leave daily from Entebbe Airport and flight takes like 1,5 hours. Travel hemispheres arranges this and  can bookgorilla trekking flying safari with us.   Even in the afternoons there are some days when you can book flight. Gorilla safaris continue to go on in all other parts of Bwindi where mountain gorillas have been habituated . as we talk and read Bwindi has the highest habituated mountain gorillas that can be trekked by visitors.

Mabamba Wetland famous for shoebill stork in Uganda

The wetland is a habitat for around 300 bird species recorded including the Pallid Harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler and the Blue Swallow. Other bird species at Mabamba include; Goliath Herons, Spur-winged White-winged Warbler, Gull-billed Terns, Whiskered Terns, Grey-headed Gulls, Papyrus Gonolek, yellow-backed weaver, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, White-winged Black Terns, Pygmy Geese, Malachite kingfisher, Papyrus Canary, Northern Brown-throated weaver, Carruther’s Cisticola, Blue-headed Coucal among many others. While on a birding tour to Mabamba Bay area, you can also visit the woodland and savanna trail up to the sand mining quarry where other species of birds are likely to be found.

What is A Mountain Gorilla Sliver Back ?

Mountain gorillas differ from lowland gorillas (Western Gorillas). At first scientists thought there was no difference between these gorillas.  The sliver back  gorilla is  the  Mature male mountain gorillas of about 12 years that have grown a sliver grey hair on its back. A saddle of grey hair grows on its back after attaining sexually maturity age. Gorillas are very social animals and each group call it a family may have 5 up 30 or 40 members headed by 1 sliver back mountain gorilla.  A such group will have a sliver back or two of them heading the family. Other members of the group may contain females who are wives to the sliver back thus sliver back gorillas are polygamous in nature. Others are Juveniles and infants. The dominant sliver back gorilla commands the family and gives protection and other young sliver backs take orders from the head. Orders may include the directions to take while searching for food and if threatened who should fight first . A silver back enjoys the center of attraction at any time in the group or family.Bwindi National park is the home of mountain gorillas situated  western Uganda

Juvenile mountain Gorilla

Mountain Gorilla Sliver Back

BwindiNational Park isthe home of Mountain Gorillas. It is estimated to half of the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas –400 live within these boundaries shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Congo part of the Virunga Massif. Mountain gorillas live in family groups like  Ruhija , Nkuringo, Buhoma  groups  

Mountain Gorilla sliverback  presence and guidance/care/dominance is important to his babies & adolescent gorilla children’s well being- because in absence of a dominant male silverback father figure - females will fight and baby/children gorillas can be bullied, injured or even emotionally damaged by others in the family group running lawlessly and without rules or order— since the dominant male silverback is the one who leads the family and maintains order and peace within the gorilla troupe.

Gorilla treking in Bwindi National Park Uganda

Gorilla trekking is and Incredible experience that one may not underestimate as many may think that it is just a walk. But gorilla trekking is carried out in an impenetrable forest of Bwindi forest that has existed for thousand years and is among the African tropical forests that are still intact and exist in south west Uganda as country. You will be trekking hills up and down as the topography  of the area is hilly and and with wide valleys . The day begins with briefing from Rangers post or park headquarters. The assembling will composed of rangers to guide you how gorilla trekking will be carried out into the forest., trackers and guides. Also strong Bakiga men who work as porters whom individual trackers will hire there services to  help them carry their back packs and even can support you to give you push if will get tired before getting out of the forest.   Will also need god walking shoes  and jacket call it rain coat as rain may not be ruled out on every day while still deep in the forest. At times in this real African rain forest because you may not miss rain almost on daily basis

mountain gorilla sliverback

Bwindi Forest

Mountain Gorilla

The time taken for trekking mountain gorillas vary .  Time may range from half and hour to 8 hours if not  the whole day. All depends on the movement of these gentle giants in the forest habitat . Rangers will lead you where the family of gorillas slept. Then from here will start walking into their foot steps until you encounter them. It is this process that trackers will be taking you through where will climb hills/mountains and come down into the valleys and repeat the same activity for different hills and valleys. Then your efforts will pay when you hear low grunting  sound followed by another grunt and your guide turns his head and tells you that keep quite and move forward slowly.

Remember you and are under  thick canopy of vegetation putting on a curtain and visibility is almost limited. Actually at one point when interacting with our clients of Travel Hemispheres she paused this question . Since it  is always dark, are  we going to carry torches to help us provide light? Well I laughed but told the client that during the day you do not have to carry a torch but the canopy above , allows limited sun light will mange to get through and seeing mountain gorillas will be fine.  So here will come time when see the family of gorillas you have been trekking. Will sit back and watch juveniles  - play rolling and shoving each other across the forest while the other members of the family chewing what they have eaten. Each family has head called Sliverback  mountain gorilla. This is can be seen easily because it the dominant  one with grey hair on its back . Usually the sliverback is usually reserved and will keep on watching you at distance. He may demonstrate  his ability and authority by pushing himself through the family moving forward and backwards his sheer size and stature casting a shadow of respect. He may pose momentarily , flick at one of the juveniles absently or crash to the forest floor but it realizes no body is questing his authority  yourself will feel a tingle going down your spine.

 Having watched for an hour viewing your forest hosts then your guide will  tap your shoulders signaling that time is over to start trekking back slowly back to your location of  stay. As you  move and walk back, you  will be exalted the life of these mountain gorillas in such cold environments and have existed here from time immemorial .

Mountain gorillas are trekked throughout the year and booking gorillas expedition will require you to purchase and secure gorilla permit in time before  visitation date. Travel hemispheres has been leading in gorilla safaris and securing mountain gorillas on behalf the clients since 2004  . We offer full packages of gorilla tours combining them with other wildlife  Uganda gorilla safaris. We scale out down budget gorilla safaris that will fit your pockets.

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Shoebil rescued treated and released to its Natural habitat at Mabamba bay

A Shoebil stork was rescued by fisherman at Mabamba bay after being chocked by fish it had swallowed . After the fisher man realised that that this great bird was motionless took more time and interest . after discovered that the bird was in sorry state. Then took time with his friends who brought off shore and alerted the Uganda Wildlife Education center doctors who immediately came and treated the bird and also took it for more treating. We give thank to the community for protecting the birds in their natural habitat. Uganda is good destination for #birding safaris. Uganda is home of 1000 bird species. Shoebill is among the rare birds to see. But when you visist #Mabamba at least over 90% you are sure od watching one. Thanks to the community living around this area.#Uganda safaris are not popular enough without watching our birds . https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216378300839058&set=pcb.10216378336239943&type=3

Nakayima Tree mubende

The tree, which gets its name, Nakayima from the princesses who resided there, is believed to be sacred. There are 18 rooms like the one above, where people pray for blessings. Tourists come here on their uganda safaris. One of the caretakers, Resty Nalubega (in background) sits next to the ebigali, the baskets, where people make their offerings. Photo by Edgar R. Batte   It will take you approximately three hours to get to Mubende town and another 15 minutes to ascend up to Mubende hill, allowing an eagle’s view of the town, all the way to the ancient tree locally known as Nakayima. The tree takes its name from a lineage of princesses from the royal family. At this tourism site I find a group of people seated at the tree’s buttress, which is so large that it can also pass for a cave. Visitors and caretakers sit at the opening of the roots, on grass and mats, smoking on pipes and freely exhaling clouds of smoke. You have to pay Shs500 as ‘site fee’,” one of the women tells me, to which I immediately oblige. Elderly Resty Nalubega sits close to the baskets locally known as ebigali, in which visitors make offerings to Nakayima. Mtucleh Kajura sits just a few inches besides her as he smokes a pipe. “Help me put more fire in it,” he hands his pipe to a middle aged woman. “Kale jajja (okay grandfather),” she says as she takes the pipe from the grey-haired Kajura, lights it with a matchbox and hands it back him. The story behind the tree The story behind the tree He crosses his legs. “So what do you want?” he asks me before taking me through games. Little do I know that he wants some money before he can divulge any information. I oblige and he immediately smiles sheepishly and begins the story. “Legend has it that this was Jajja Nakayima’s place,” he starts. “People come here and pray and get what they pray for,” he adds. “As residents, this is our historical place. We are her children and grandchildren,” he goes on. He goes silent. “Give more money if you want the deeper story,” half-drunk Kajura tells me. “But he has already given you the money,” the woman who lights his pipe every now and again tells him. She offers to tell me more. “Nakayima does not offer medicine and there are simple rules that govern this place. A woman is not allowed to come here during her periods,” she begins. “In fact Nakayima’s grave is a distance from here,” she adds. Kajura reconsiders and shares another bit, “In 1989, white researchers came here and took samples of the tree for testing. They told us that this tree is estimated to be about 650 years old.” After hearing this story, elderly Nalubega, of Engabi clan, reminds me that I had not performed one ritual, that of giving to the ebigali. As I put the money in the basket, she mumbles a prayer for me to have a healthy life, filled with wealth and freedom among other blessings. A place in the museum After this, she takes me around the tree and shows me 18 rooms, which are large crevices in the tree’s large roots. “Of these there are four rooms for #Ndahura, some for Nnalongo Jajja Mukasa, two for Jajja Musoke and Kilunda,” she explains. Besides the old tree, which history refers to as the witch tree, this tourism site is surrounded by a number of trees and just adjacent to the bigger buttress is a fire place which burns at all times. As a child, I visited the Uganda Museum, where I saw #Nakayima’s statue. So from #Mubende, I head to the museum, where Nakayima is kept in glass with some of the symbols of her kingdom, Buganda. Adorned in a ceremonial dress of bark cloth, the priestess of Mubende Hill is seated on her throne and at her feet lies leopard skin and spears, affixed in the ground. Story etched in history In Uganda Journal of 1966 in the paper Excavations at Mubende Hill, E.C Lanning writes that the legends of the Banyoro and Baganda tell of a ritual site having been on Mubende Hill since the earliest rulers of Bunyoro-Kitara, whilst excavations have revealed evidence of occupation over an area of twelve acres. “The role of this ritual centre on the hill has been an important one, and it was a settlement long before the foundation of the ancient dynasty of Bito rulers of Bunyoro-Kitara,” he writes. He adds, “According to local tradition, before the advent of the #Bachweezi ruling clan, the predecessors of the Bito line of kings, a Muhima sorceress called Kamawenge came from Butiti (now in Toro) to settle on Kisozi, as Mubende Hill was originally known. Subsequently, her two sons asserted themselves in turn as local leaders. As a result the hill-top settlement grew into a centre of some importance.” Later, the place became a focal point for the Bachweezi and the residence of their last and greatest leader, Ndaula, also called Ndahura

White Water Rafting in Uganda

River rafting is one of the few outdoor adventure sports that requires absolutely no expertise or experience on the part of the client - all you need is the guts and you can take on any rapid up to a Grade V (the most extreme that a commercial company is allowed to run) without ever having held a paddle before. Uganda provides for the best white water rafting environment in the world. Uganda is blessed with source of the longest River in the world – The Greta River Nile. The source of River Nile is at Jinja in Uganda and provides for the best rapids as the river is at high speed current that forms rapids. With help of trained guides anybody can carryout rafting.The only person who needs to know what they are doing is the guide, who steers the boat. Provided you do what they tell you, you will get down the run. If you are not a strong swimmer, you will be wearing a life-jacket, so if you fall out you will be picked up by one of the back-up safety canoes which accompany the boat. Assuming that you don't get stuck under a rock, that is. As you start rafting , your briefed what it entails. There are two types of rafting trips: where the guide does the paddling (with a giant set of oars, shouting at you to throw your weight left, right, back or front as needed), or where you do the paddling. There is no contest between the two types - in a boat where you do the paddling it is all action; do the wrong thing and the boat will flip or you will fall out. It is also more physically demanding. Generally you need to be fit to get involved in this exercise. You do not have to be in top shape, but rafting companies will not take anyone with epilepsy, bad hearts, dislocating joints, severe asthma, or other chronic medical problems. Be honest about this when filling in the application forms and liability disclaimers before going - it is very, very rough once you get down in the water. Just humble your self and will enjoy one of the best uganda safari expeditions of your life time. Cool down and listen to your guide instructions. It takes short time and you’re a master of yourself. The rest of the boat will respect you. If you are doing the Zambezi, eat under the thatched cover when you stop on the bank for lunch - the monkeys in the trees above have learned it is fun to pee on the people and food below . Downtime - being under water in a rapid. Grades I and II - easy; Grades III and IV - scary; Grade V - wow!. Grade VI is not open for commercial rafting. Grade VII is un-navigable. All rafting companies provide decent lunches for clients as part of day-trips. For longer runs (some routes are up to 20 days) you generally camp (cold countries) or sleep out on the sandbanks under mosquito nets (hot countries). Food is cooked by the guides, but you put up the tents (theirs) and provide your own sleeping bags. Rafting is a year-round activity, if you have the money to travel , will enjoy rafting in Uganda throughout the year. Uganda lies astride the equator. This gives al year around climate of hot and wet that favour rafting all year around.