The Bwindi forest size now covers an area of 331 square kilometers, that is 33,100 hectares or 128 square miles. That’s why it is home to the world’s biggest population of mountain gorillas – the gentle giant apes.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the third smallest national park in Uganda, after Semuliki and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks. Before, Bwindi was gazetted as a conservation area it used to have two parts, northern and a southern part. The northern part was the Kayonza forest reserve and the southern part was the Kasatora forest reserve. After combining them together they managed to cover up a space equivalent to 207 square kilometers (80 miles).
In 1942 the reserve was widened to make one gazetted area with a name of an impenetrable central forest reserve. It then covered a space of up to 298 square kilometers of Bwindi forest size. In a period of 12 years, it became an animal sanctuary so as to protect the endangered mountain gorillas which were deteriorating in number.
After two years, the area which was protected was expanded to a size of 321 square kilometers, even though it continued to be controlled as a forest reserve and game reserve. In addition to that, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was also declared a UNESCO world heritage site and then started being managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Major Activity in Bwindi within its Forest Size
The major activity within Bwindi are the amazing gorilla trekking safaris. But as you can track these beautiful apes within Bwindi forest, you can also do the same in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking safaris can also be combined with other wildlife viewing experiences. These shall take you to other national parks in Uganda, for amazing experiences.