Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern region of Uganda on the edge of the Albertine rift valley near the border of Democratic republic of Congo. The park was gazetted in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. It is approximately 331 square kilometers and accessed only on foot. It is one of the most bio-diverse forests in Africa with one of the best ecosystems on the continent.

The park can be reached from Kampala via Mbarara (9–10 hours) by road. The park can also be accessed by air from Entebbe or Kampala (Kajjansi airfield) to the tarmac airstrip at Kisoro. Bwindi is well served by three airstrips Kayonza, Kihihi and Nyakabande.

It is famously known as a home of mountain Gorillas and Gorilla tracking is the main activity in this place. The park shelters over 600 mountain Gorillas making half of the total world population but there are also many other mammals like Black and white colobus, Bush pigs, Giant forest hogs, Vervet monkeys, Baboons and many others. There are also bird species in the park.

Activities Bwindi impenetrable national park

Gorilla tracking / habituation experience

The main activity done in Bwindi is Gorilla tracking; there are four trailheads where one tracks one of the gorilla families.  There is also gorilla habituation in Rushaga where you can be with these gentle giants, play with them for over four hours or a full day depending on you ability.

The Batwa community walks

Batwa are the first people of the forest, they live in harmony with nature. Many people want to visit them, experience their indigenous ways of living, their vibrant songs and dance.

Hiking

Hiking in Bwindi is done from Nkuringo side to Lake Mutanda where you paddle across in a wooden dugout and continue to Kisoro. Hiking is always with a guide and this guide incurs fees per person.

Birding

400 bird species have been recorded in the park thus picking it as Africa’s number one birding site so visitors can track gorillas while watching birds.

Mountain bike rides

Buhoma area provides the best biking experience, you can also do village walk on the bike with the help of a guide, and the average bike ride is three hours with much to see along the trail or road.

The park has 4 sectors for Gorilla tracking which include;

Rushaga sector: This sector is located in the southern part of the park with 5 gorilla families including Nshogi, Busingye, Bweza, Mishaya and Kahungye. Rushaga is one of the sectors that provide the best habitation experience. There are also other activates like Bird watching and Batwa community walks.

Buhoma sector: it is located in the northern part of the park, Buhoma get a lot of visitors compared to other sectors due to its easy accessibility from Kabala and Kihihi airstrip.it’s also near Queen Elizabeth National Park which makes it easy to access from through Ishasha. Besides gorilla tracking, Buhoma has other activities like bird watching; Batwa community visits, hiking the trails.

Ruhija sector: the sector is located in the Eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park. It’s the coldest area of Bwindi and a home of Kyaguriro, Oruzogo and Bitukuro family. Apart of Gorilla tracking there are also other activities like hiking trail to Rwamunyonyi peak and a chance of seeing other primates like elephants and monkeys.

Nkuringo sector: the sector is located in the higher altitude of the park, which is favorable for young travellers who can manage long hikes. The sector is home of the Nkuringo family.

Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

June to August as well as December to February

These months give the best tracking experience due to the dryness of the trails. Tracking is best done in dry season and the above-mentioned months are always sunny but still tracking can be done throughout the year.

Ssese island is located in the northwestern part of Lake victoria the world’s second largest freshwater lake shared by Kenya and Tanzania. Scientifically Ssese Island was formed in the 16^th century when a tectonic shift caused an elevated basin but traditionally, the Baganda claim that the first king of Buganda KINTU whose origin is not known found the Ssese islands.

The island is a combination of 84 islands, with 2 main groups including Bugala group at the southwestern part and Koome group in the northwestern part of the island. Bugala is the largest island, but there are others like Banda Island, Bulago island, Ngamba island, Bukasa island. Bufumira island, Funye island to mention but a few. All these islands form Kalangala district.

The Bassese tribe who speak similar language for Baganda and Basoga dominates Ssese Island. Their main activity is Fishing followed by other activities like Charcoal burning, farming and tourism.