There are more than 11 species of primates in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These include the black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s, De Brazza, red-tailed, and blue monkeys; Pottos, Demidoff’s Galago, spectacled Galago, baboons, chimpanzees, and the gentle giants of Bwindi – the mountain gorillas.
Bwindi is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, and it is located in southwestern Uganda, in Kigezi region. The Park is shared amongst three districts of Kanungu, Kabale, and Kisoro.
Bwindi forest is a sanctuary for many primates, but there are also many bird species for birders. The Park is famous for more than 460 mountain gorillas, which is half of the world’s total population of endangered mountain gorillas. There are more than 20 habituated gorilla families which are open for gorilla trekking safaris in four different sectors. These are Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. These are all under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is set amid Africa’s tallest mountains, Lush, green peaks tower over verdant valleys and cerulean lakes, in a setting of humid rainforests rather than sun-baked plains. Bwindi looks like a child’s vision of Africa, where one will have a chance to encounter a number of primates, most especially the famous mountain gorillas.
Other wildlife species besides primates in Bwindi
Besides primates in Bwindi, the Park should be one of your birding destinations on your birding safari in Uganda. This is because Bwindi impenetrable forest is a haven for birders with more than 350 species of birds, owing to one of the best birding sites in Uganda.
The forest is home to more than 23 Albertine Rift endemics and 14 species are not spotted elsewhere in Uganda except here in Bwindi. The globally threatened bird species include; Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher. Other species to view here are Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis. There are also Black-billed Turaco, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Fraser’s Eagle, Purple-breasted, Western Bronze-napped pigeon, Regal sunbirds, and Blue-headed among others.