Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP

-1.04834 , 29.69533

Uganda

This is the heart and soul of uganda birding,only established in 1991 and  covering an area of 331sq km, The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The Bwindi forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres (3,806 to 8,553 ft).The park is a UNESCO world heritage and an important bird area(IBA).it supports both lowland and high montane forest with swamps and marshes in some sections making it one of the top diverse forest in the albertine rift with so many key species of birds.The 23 out of 24 albertine rift endemics birds have been recorded here.The forest supports more than half of the world Mountain gorllas.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : -1.0483/29.6953 (2020-11-28 23:22:31 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP" (2020-11-28 23:22:31 )

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:42:28
Established This is the heart and soul of uganda birding,only established in 1991 Covering and  covering an area of 331sq km, The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The Bwindi forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres (3,806 to 8,553 ft).The park is a UNESCO world heritage and an important bird area(IBA).it supports both lowland and high montane forest with swamps and marshes in some sections making it one of the top diverse forest in the albertine rift with so many key species of birds.The 23 out of 24 albertine rift endemics birds have been recorded here.The forest supports more than half of the world Mountain gorllas.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:35:47
The Bwindi Established in 1991 Covering an area of 331sq km, The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The Bwindi forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres (3,806 to 8,553 ft)8,553 ft).The park is a UNESCO world heritage and an important bird area(IBA).it supports both lowland and high montane forest with swamps and marshes in some sections making it one of the top diverse forest in the albertine rift with so many key species of birds.The 23 out of 24 albertine rift endemics birds have been recorded here.The forest supports more than half of the world Mountain gorllas.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:29:04
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The Bwindi forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres (3,806 to 8,553 ft)

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Handsome Spurfowl (Pternistis nobilis)
Rwenzori Turaco (Gallirex johnstoni)
Montane Nightjar (Caprimulgus poliocephalus)
Dwarf Honeyguide (Indicator pumilio)
Grauer's Broadbill (Pseudocalyptomena graueri)
Green-breasted Pitta (Pitta reichenowi)
Rwenzori Batis (Batis diops)
Willard's Sooty Boubou (Laniarius willardi)
Albertine Boubou (Laniarius holomelas)
Stripe-breasted Tit (Melaniparus fasciiventer)
Rwenzori Apalis (Oreolais ruwenzorii)
Black-faced Apalis (Apalis personata)
Buff-throated Apalis (Apalis rufogularis)
Chestnut-throated Apalis (Apalis porphyrolaema)
Banded Prinia (Prinia bairdii)
Grauer's Warbler (Graueria vittata)
Grauer's Swamp Warbler (Bradypterus graueri)
Red-faced Woodland-Warbler (Phylloscopus laetus)
Neumann's Warbler (Hemitesia neumanni)
Rwenzori Hill Babbler (Sylvia atriceps)
Abyssinian Ground-Thrush (Geokichla piaggiae)
Sooty Flycatcher (Bradornis fuliginosus)
Chapin's Flycatcher (Fraseria lendu)
Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher (Melaenornis ardesiacus)
Fire-crested Alethe (Alethe castanea)
Archer's Robin-Chat (Cossypha archeri)
Red-throated Alethe (Chamaetylas poliophrys)
Sooty Chat (Myrmecocichla nigra)
Green Sunbird (Anthreptes rectirostris)
Blue-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra alinae)
Purple-breasted Sunbird (Nectarinia purpureiventris)
Regal Sunbird (Cinnyris regius)
Strange Weaver (Ploceus alienus)
Shelley's Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi)
Jameson's Antpecker (Parmoptila jamesoni)
Dusky Twinspot (Euschistospiza cinereovinacea)

Banded Prinia (Prinia bairdii) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 14:02:49)

Green-breasted Pitta (Pitta reichenowi) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:59:25)

Green Broadbill (Calyptomena viridis) was deleted by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:58:34)

Grauer's Broadbill (Pseudocalyptomena graueri) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:58:12)

Masked Apalis (Apalis binotata) was deleted by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:56:22)

Chestnut-throated Apalis (Apalis porphyrolaema) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:55:52)

Buff-throated Apalis (Apalis rufogularis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:55:17)

Black-faced Apalis (Apalis personata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:54:28)

Green Sunbird (Anthreptes rectirostris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:51:40)

Sooty Chat (Myrmecocichla nigra) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:48:50)

Fire-crested Alethe (Alethe castanea) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:47:47)

Rwenzori Hill Babbler (Sylvia atriceps) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:47:01)

Sooty Flycatcher (Bradornis fuliginosus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:46:20)

Strange Weaver (Ploceus alienus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:46:06)

Albertine Boubou (Laniarius holomelas) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:45:42)

Willard's Sooty Boubou (Laniarius willardi) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:45:20)

Stripe-breasted Tit (Melaniparus fasciiventer) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:45:01)

Rwenzori Batis (Batis diops) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:44:28)

Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher (Melaenornis ardesiacus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:44:09)

Masked Apalis (Apalis binotata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:43:37)

Rwenzori Apalis (Oreolais ruwenzorii) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:42:49)

Red-faced Woodland-Warbler (Phylloscopus laetus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:40:59)

Archer's Robin-Chat (Cossypha archeri) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:40:21)

Dwarf Honeyguide (Indicator pumilio) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:39:50)

Red-throated Alethe (Chamaetylas poliophrys) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:39:32)

Montane Nightjar (Caprimulgus poliocephalus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:39:09)

Rwenzori Turaco (Gallirex johnstoni) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:37:50)

Regal Sunbird (Cinnyris regius) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:37:29)

Neumann's Warbler (Hemitesia neumanni) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:35:42)

Purple-breasted Sunbird (Nectarinia purpureiventris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:35:02)

Handsome Spurfowl (Pternistis nobilis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:34:31)

Grauer's Warbler (Graueria vittata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-11-30 13:33:27)

Blue-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra alinae) was added by Kwesiga Christopher (2021-03-16 11:51:46)

Dusky Twinspot (Euschistospiza cinereovinacea) was added by Kwesiga Christopher (2021-03-16 11:50:28)

Shelley's Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi) was added by Kwesiga Christopher (2021-03-16 11:49:38)

Chapin's Flycatcher (Fraseria lendu) was added by Kwesiga Christopher (2021-03-16 11:48:25)

Jameson's Antpecker (Parmoptila jamesoni) was added by Kwesiga Christopher (2021-03-16 11:47:04)

Grauer's Swamp Warbler (Bradypterus graueri) was added by Kwesiga Christopher (2021-03-16 11:46:02)

Green Broadbill (Calyptomena viridis) was added by Kwesiga Christopher (2021-03-16 10:28:01)

Abyssinian Ground-Thrush (Geokichla piaggiae) was added by Kwesiga Christopher (2021-03-16 10:26:49)

  • Timing and strategy

The best time of the day to bird here is from morning and evening mainly by walking especially the ruhiija,buhoma and Mubwindi for birding,it is advisable to avoid the rainy season here which is  from March till May and October till November. Light rain season falls in November and December. Dry seasons are from December to February and June to August. The best time, the best months of the year would be December to late February and from June to September.For a serious birder 4 -6 days is recommended here alone with maybe abit of gorrila tracking.The www.villageweaverbirding.com takes a selection of birding tours to bwindi and across east Africa

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:18
The best time of the day to bird here is from morning and evening mainly by walking especially the ruhiija,buhoma and Mubwindi for birding,it is advisable to avoid the rainy season is here which is  from March till May and October till November. Light rain season falls in November and December. Dry seasons are from December to February and June to August. The best time, the best months of the year would be December to late February and from June to SeptemberSeptember.For a serious birder 4 -6 days is recommended here alone with maybe abit of gorrila tracking.The www.villageweaverbirding.com takes a selection of birding tours to bwindi and across east Africa
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:14
The rainy season is from March till May and October till November. Light rain season falls in November and December. Dry seasons are from December to February and June to August. The best time, the best months of the year would be December to late February and from June to September
  • How to get there

From Entebbe there are charted flights to kisoro and kihihi,kisoro has only morning flights while Kihihi has both morning and afternoon departures from Entebbe. You can also do charter flights from Kajjansi Airstrip to either Kisoro or Kihihi.

By road, there are alternatives that include;

Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma which follows a tarmac highway until Kabale for about 414km spending about 6-8 hrs and then connect on a murram road through Kanungu and Kanyantorogo for about 120km to Buhoma. For the latter route, it is highly recommended to have a 4WD vehicle and this journey can take about 4-5 hrs.

Kampala-Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma which follows the same route as the above first option except the Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma section is about 95km on a murram road and can take about 3-4 hrs also highly recommended to have a 4WD vehicle.

Kampala-Kabale-Nkuringo also follows the same as the above routes to Kabale and an additional 105km about 4-5 hrs drive on a mountainous murram road to Nkuringo from Kabale. Some people prefer spending a night in Kisoro which is about 80km from Kabale and in the morning proceed to Nkuringo for gorilla tracking.

Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma is regarded as the quickest and most direct of all the routes from Kampala and follows a tarmac rout to Rukungiri about 390km followed by murram roads to Buhoma for about 82km.

There is also a route that goes through Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kihihi and to Buhoma passing through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famed for the tree climbing lions. Sometimes this route is not favoured because of the bridge which keeps on breaking down.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:11
From Entebbe there are charted flights to kisoro and kihihi,kisoro has only morning flights while Kihihi has both morning and afternoon departures from Entebbe. You can also do charter flights from Kajjansi Airstrip to either Kisoro or Kihihi. By road, there are alternatives that include; Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma which follows a tarmac highway until Kabale for about 414km spending about 6-8 hrs and then connect on a murram road through Kanungu and Kanyantorogo for about 120km to Buhoma. For the latter route, it is highly recommended to have a 4WD vehicle and this journey can take about 4-5 hrs. Kampala-Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma which follows the same route as the above first option except the Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma section is about 95km on a murram road and can take about 3-4 hrs also highly recommended to have a 4WD vehicle. Kampala-Kabale-Nkuringo also follows the same as the above routes to Kabale and an additional 105km about 4-5 hrs drive on a mountainous murram road to Nkuringo from Kabale. Some people prefer spending a night in Kisoro which is about 80km from Kabale and in the morning proceed to Nkuringo for gorilla tracking. Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma is regarded as the quickest and most direct of all the routes from Kampala and follows a tarmac rout to Rukungiri about 390km followed by murram roads to Buhoma for about 82km. There is also a route that goes through Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kihihi and to Buhoma passing through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famed for the tree climbing lions. Sometimes this route is not favoured because of the bridge which keeps on breaking down.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:09
while Kihihi has both morning and afternoon departures from Entebbe. You can also do charter flights from Kajjansi Airstrip to either Kisoro or Kihihi. By road, there are alternatives that include; Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma which follows a tarmac highway until Kabale for about 414km spending about 6-8 hrs and then connect on a murram road through Kanungu and Kanyantorogo for about 120km to Buhoma. For the latter route, it is highly recommended to have a 4WD vehicle and this journey can take about 4-5 hrs. Kampala-Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma which follows the same route as the above first option except the Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma section is about 95km on a murram road and can take about 3-4 hrs also highly recommended to have a 4WD vehicle. Kampala-Kabale-Nkuringo also follows the same as the above routes to Kabale and an additional 105km about 4-5 hrs drive on a mountainous murram road to Nkuringo from Kabale. Some people prefer spending a night in Kisoro which is about 80km from Kabale and in the morning proceed to Nkuringo for gorilla tracking. Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma is regarded as the quickest and most direct of all the routes from Kampala and follows a tarmac rout to Rukungiri about 390km followed by murram roads to Buhoma for about 82km. There is also a route that goes through Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kihihi and to Buhoma passing through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famed for the tree climbing lions. Sometimes this route is not favoured because of the bridge which keeps on breaking down.

entry permits are 40usd for non resident and children 20 usd.residents foreigners pay 30 usd and children 10 usd.For east african it is 20000 ugx and children 500 ugx.Gorilla tracking fee is 600usd per person and permits are paid to the Uganda wildlife authority

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:39
entry permits are 40usd for non resident and children 20 usd.residents foreigners pay 30 usd and children 10 usd.For east african it is 20000 ugx and children 500 ugx.Gorilla tracking fee is 600usd per person and permits are paid to the Uganda wildlife authority
  • Other attractions

Guided forest walks,a visit to the batwa people(the pygmies),Gorrila tracking and various waterfalls in the park

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:20
Guided forest walks,a visit to the batwa people(the pygmies),Gorrila tracking and various waterfalls in the park

broadbill forest camp, santuary gorrila forest camp, volcanoes bwindi lodge, gorrila heights  lodge,trackers safari lodge, buhoma lodge,bakiga lodge

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:27
broadbill forest camp,camp, santuary gorrila forest camp, volcanoes bwindi lodge, gorrila heights  lodge,trackers safari lodge, buhoma lodge,bakiga lodge
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:23
broadbill forest camp,

be aware of elephants, mosquitoes and other hamful insects

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-11-30 14:21
be aware of elephants, mosquitoes and other hamful insects
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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Reports

Season:
to
Species:
2023-03-03 to 2023-03-24 Uganda, Albertine Rift Birding Tour Mwangi Gitau and Rick Jacobsen
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP - Orniverse