Situated along the Great Rift valley, Bwindi extends over a series of steep ridges, its massive rainforest almost impenetrable, its interior providing the perfect habitat for the gorilla population. Terrain varies from swamp and bamboo forest to dense thicket from the ankle up, which makes up 90% of the park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to a population of around 330 Mountain Gorillas, roughly half of the worlds’ total population. Bwindi is the only forest in Africa to have Chimpanzees and Mountain Gorillas co-existing.
The park is on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites due to its ecological uniqueness and natural beauty. Bwindi is home to a number of other primate species, including black-and-white colobus monkey L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkey and baboon. In addition there are 79 mammal species including duiker, elephant, bushbuck, bush pig, giant forest hog and several small cat species.
More than 350 species of birds have been recorded, of which many are regional endemics. The forest birding ranks best in Uganda with 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemic present.
