Bwindi Impenetrable national park, home to more than half of the global population of the endangered mountain gorillas located in the Southwest of Uganda has been named as the most beautiful place around the world by CNN.
CNN’s published document containing the list of 25 of the most beautiful places around the world read in part, “The world’s a spectacular place, full of hidden and overt beauty in every corner. But beauty is also subjective. It’d be impossible to get a unanimous decision on the most beautiful places around the world – but we think this list is a good start to plan your travels.”
After Bwindi Impenetrable Forest emerged as the best of the best t on the list, CNN wrote that “Dense, lush and otherworldly, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the last redoubts of the mountain gorilla. Over 400 call this UNESCO-protected national park home, with the chance for visitors to trek and meet habituated groups. Its biodiversity extends far beyond its famous inhabitants, however; 348 bird species and 220 butterfly species can be found within its 331 –square-kilometer expanse”
Where is the beauty in Bwindi Impenetrable national park?
Like CNN mentioned, Bwindi impenetrable national park is mostly known as a home to more than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. There couldn’t be any better place to trek these elusive gentle giants in the world away from Bwindi. The park gives you a 99% chance of meeting your allocated habituated gorilla group once you start out the adventure. With over 17 habituated gorilla families in the park, you stand pretty sure of coming face to face with them at any point in your trekking journey. Facing a mountain gorilla in the wild is an experience is like no other, can’t be fully explained until one goes there themselves. Gorillas are wild humans, no wonder they share 98% of the human DNA. The habituated gorillas are very used to humans and they always attempt to come closer to visitors though the rules prohibit contact with them. You will watch them as they feed, play and rest as you take their photos and videos from all angles. Gorilla trekkers are allowed to spend only one hour with the apes for conservation reasons but the experience and satisfaction obtained last in their memories for a lifetime.
What else makes Bwindi spectacular?
CNN went on to mention some of the other goodies that Bwindi has got to offer including over 331 bird species and 220 species of butterfly. There are other primates in the park including several monkey species and baboons. The park has also got some large mammal species like buffaloes and elephants.
Away from wildlife, the rugged terrain of Bwindi and its dense forests also make the park a spectacular place to visit especially by adventure-loving travelers.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable national park?
If you are a foreigner living outside Uganda, you will probably have to book a gorilla safari to Bwindi through a trusted local tour agent like Gorilla Trek Africa. Once you get in touch with the agents, they will act on your behalf to fulfill all the procedures for trekking gorillas in Bwindi. This includes booking and buying a gorilla permit, which is sold at $600, booking your accommodation and arranging your transport and guiding in the park. If you are planning to have a gorilla safari in the near future, it is advisable you get in touch with these agents early enough for an advance booking. Gorilla permits to Bwindi are very limited and they are not available on the market all the time. This calls for an advance booking preferably not less than six months ahead.
When is the best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable national park?
Gorillas safaris to Bwindi are arranged throughout the year. You are free to choose any period you want to go to Bwindi. However, if you are weather-sensitive, the dry season is always the best for trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi. Being in an equatorial rainforest, Bwindi is very wet in the months of March to May and October to November. The steep terrain of Bwindi and the dense vegetation may not be so friendly for trekking in such seasons due to muddy and slippery conditions. Your travel agent will brief you accordingly on what you are supposed to park based on the nature of your trip.
Click here to book a gorilla safari to Bwindi
