Bwindi should be on every birder’s itinerary. The park offers some of the best montane-forest (mountain-forest) bird watching in Africa. There are an estimated 350 bird species, with 14 not recorded anywhere else in Uganda. There are 23 birds unique to the Albertine Rift (which is 90% of all Albertine Rift endemics), including Neumann's warbler and blue-headed sunbird. Migratory birds are present from November to April. The birdlife in Bwindi is good year-round, but at its best in March and September. June and July have the least rain while March to mid-May has the most. Heavy rains might interfere with your bird-watching time. The main nesting season is in May and June, with food being abundant from late May through September. Migratory birds, though not a significant part of Bwindi’s attraction to birders, are present from November to April.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Background
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in the south-western part of Uganda. It is a World Heritage Site famed for its population of mountain gorillas, its biodiversity of fauna and flora and its Impenetrable Forest. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a remnant of what once used to be a very large forest, covering areas of western Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The forest is home to numerous globally threatened species, including the mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s monkey and the African elephant. Bird enthusiasts can look forward to sightings of the Africa green broadbill, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Turner’s Eremomela, Chapin’s flycatcher and Shelley’s crimson-wing. The area is known as the most important forest in Africa for the montane forest butterflies, including African giant swallowtail and Cream-banded swallowtail.
Wildlife Experience
Gorilla tracking is Bwindi National Park’s main attraction. Guests are taken on guided walks through the forest observing monkeys, bird watching and gorilla trekking, while a walk to a waterfall is included. Bird watching is popular within the national park, with an incredible 350 species having been recorded, including the short-tailed warbler and blue-headed sunbird. Such beautiful biodiversity in this park includes a whopping 120 species of mammal, 10 of which are primates and up to 45 are small mammal species. Predatory species include the African civet, side-striped jackal and African golden cat. There are over 200 species of butterfly, adding to this reserves endless wildlife appeal. Learn more about the locals and cultures by visiting local handcraft shops and Batwa community where locals perform songs and dance about their former life in the forest. Learn a new skill at the Nkuringo Cultural Centre where guests can choose from a variety of workshops, including African cooking, traditional weaving, dancing, drumming and more.
