Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers some of the finest motane forest birding in Africa and is a key destination for any birder visiting Uganda. Amongst the numerous possibilities are no fewer than 23 of Uganda's 24 Albertine Rift endemics, including spectacular, globally threatened species such as African Green Broadbill and Shelley's Crimson wing. Bwindi is one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age and it is home to roughly half of the world's mountain gorillas.
Of Uganda's forested reserves, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is best known for its superb gorilla tracking, but it also provides refuge to elephant, chimpanzee, monkeys and various small antelope and bird species.
Location: Southwest, near Kabale
Size:321 sq km
Getting there:From Queen Elizabeth (2-3hrs), from Kabale to the South (1-2hrs) and from Kampala via Mbarara (6-8hrs).
What to do:Gorilla tracking limited to a maximum of 18 people per day – Permits must be booked before at Uganda Wildlife Authority offices in Kampala.
Guided forest walks, birding and monkey viewing.
When to visit:Any time, but not advisable during rainy seasons especially April - May and September - November.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park