A tour in Uganda is not complete without the captivating birdwatching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwest of the country. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was gazetted in 1991 and is currently 321 square kilometers in total size. Vegetation composition includes both lowland forests and Afromontane Forests. Plus, there is biodiversity which is one of the reasons why Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sits on altitudes ranging between 1,160 meters to 2,607 meters above sea level. Though Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 4 sectors, 2 of which offer better birdwatching experiences, Buhoma and Ruhija. The other 2 are Nkuringo and Rushaga.
Bird species in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a bird paradise, housing at least 357 bird species, with 90% of them found only in the Albertine Rift region. Bwindi National Park also has 14 bird species that are only found here in Uganda. There are also 7 species categorized in the IUCN red data list. Your birdwatching tour in Bwindi National Park will give you a chance to observe the following, white-bellied robin chat, brown-necked parrot, blue-headed sunbird, short-tailed warbler, African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimson wing, blue-headed sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, bush shrike, Rwenzori nightjar, mountain masked apalis, handsome spurfowl, African harrier hawk, giant kingfisher, cinnamon chested bee-eater and regal bird.
When to go for birdwatching in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is open to birders throughout the year because the forest is evergreen to shelter and nourish the birds every day. But visitors eager for less challenging birding trails to hike on should visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the dry season. This is a season that causes dry and warm weather, which subsequently makes the trails drier and less slippery. The dry season normally occurs in June, July, August, December, January, and February. This time also offers perfect viewing experiences as the vegetation is relatively less dense. Yet, the best time to see the resident bird species easily comes during the rainy season when they are breeding, and easier for their presence to be noticed. The wet season is experienced in March, April, October, and November, and is marked by heavy rains.
How to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for birdwatching tours
To get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a birdwatching adventure, your first option is to use road transportation. You can travel from either Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. For example, the distance of the Rushaga sector from Kampala is around 520 kilometers. This scenic drive takes 10-11 hours and at Standard Safaris, we recommend you use our 4X4 safari car for a travel experience full of comfort. We also have professional driver guides for very insightful travel. Reaching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can also be done by visitors directly from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kibale National Park, while other visitors can also travel from Rwanda.
The second option is using air transportation, which offers a perfect chance to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park much faster. Chartered flights are available from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip (Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Ruhija sectors) or Kihihi Airstrip (Buhoma sector). These flights take between 1 hour and 15 minutes to an hour and 40 minutes. You can also connect to either Kihihi airstrip or Kisosro airstrip from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park. Since AeroLink offers the services, you need to inform a reputable tour operator like Standard Safaris to make prior arrangements to rid yourself of avoidable inconveniences.
Other activities to enjoy in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Besides birdwatching tours, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park attracts the most visitors for the gorilla trekking tours. Currently, with 23 habituated gorilla families, visitors can trek any of them in their respective sectors. This offers an opportunity for a visitor to locate the habituated gorilla family in any of the 4 sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and spend an hour watching it while also taking photos. You need a gorilla permit before being allowed for a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A gorilla permit is only issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and can only be acquired through a reputable tour operator like Standard Safaris.
For an extended gorilla experience, go for a gorilla habituation experience that is only experienced in the Rushaga sector. Visitors can also enjoy a community walk via the forest edge villages to have an intimate encounter with the Batwa or Bakiga people residing there. This is an opportunity to be educated about the lifestyles of adjacent communities including their delicate history with the forest. The Batwa guides will ensure that you have an enjoyable tour on the Batwa trail. You can have a nature walk where you can spot beautiful butterflies; birds; waterfalls; wild animals like bush buffaloes and elephants; plants and primates such as vervet monkeys, L’hoest’s monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys.
