The best of Uganda’s Bwindi the Switzerland of Africa
Bwindi impenetrable forests are Afro-montane, a rare vegetation type found only on the African continent and more luckily, southwestern Uganda.
Bwindi impenetrable forest being gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and being declared as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994 boasts now as the favorite destination for the world travelers due to its famous endangered and rare mountain gorillas.
With the varied Altitude in Bwindi impenetrable forest (The Switzerland of Africa) which ranges from 1,160m – 2,607m above sea level comprising of beautiful hills and mountains which makes it a chilly forest in the morning and at night with average temperatures ranging from 7⁰C – 20⁰C. The coldest period in Bwindi is June and July, while wet seasons are March-May and September-November with total annual rainfall of up to 2390mm. Rains in March-May are short and they are heavier in September-November but can just be long hours of soft entertaining drizzle.
Bwindi impenetrable forest lies in southwestern Uganda on just amazingly the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are coated by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rain-forests, which dates back over 25,000 years. The history of where the forest sits dates back as far as 1889 when Uganda was still a British protectorate and was nicknamed ‘Switzerland of Africa’ because of the hilly nature and coldness. It Contains approximately 400 species of plants and More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also accommodates an estimated 400 endangered and rare mountain gorillas which are more than half of the world’s population, including 12 habituated groups, which can be tracked in this lovely forest. The park’s forests are Afro-montane, a rare vegetation type found only on the African continent and more luckily, southwestern Uganda.
This biologically diverse forest also harbors more 120 mammals, including several primate species like baboons and chimpanzees, as well as forest elephants which are in the risk of extinction in Africa and antelopes. The forest attracts around 350 species of birds including 23 of 24 Albertine Rift endemics. Birding safaris are the best also here.
Bwindi is open for wildlife viewing and gorilla adventure safaris all year round but the best time to visit the park is from June to August and December to February. There is less rain during this period and the forest trails are passable and not slippery.
June to August and December to February are the drier months but March to April and September to November are usually very wet months, which makes trails impassable and slippery. It’s not the best time to visit the park in these months if your ambitions are to do gorilla tracking and other wild animals, although it makes the best period for bird watching if you love birds. Worst Weather conditions happen in March to May and September to November (there is heavy rainfall and trails become hard to travel), the trails are slippery and tracking is difficult.
Accommodation in Bwindi ranges from luxury lodges and camps to budget camps just located in the neighboring towns of Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhijja, Rushaga etc. these places with no doubt all have an impressive array of luxury lodges, rustic bandas and budget campsites, as well as restaurants, craft stalls and guiding services. Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops and village walks. Are you ready to visit “The Switzerland of Africa”? That’s why we are here, to serve you.