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[gorillaguide]

Bwindi & Elizabeth

Bwindi impenetrable National Park is located on the edge of the western rift valley (Albertine rift), South Western Uganda. It is shared by Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro Districts. It covers around 331 square kilometres on an Altitude Range of 1160 metres (Ishasha gorge) to 2607 metres (Rwamanyonyi Peak). The annual average temperature Range is 7-20 degrees Celcius the coldest period being June and July. Heaviest rains are experienced in March-April and September - November. Other months are generally dry. Annual Precipitation: 1130 mm - 2390 mm Coldest Period: June-July

SPECIES DIVERSITY Bwindi is a habitat to 326 gorillas almost half of the world's population of mountain gorillas. The forest has about 30 elephants and 120 species of mammals including 7 diurnal primates. 360 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies. This Afro -montane forest has dense under storey of fern, vines, and shrubs. About 324 tree species have been recorded here, of which 10 don't occur else in Uganda.

GORILLA SAFARIS TO UGANDA It is a major tourist attraction in Bwindi. Two gorillas groups are currently available to be visited on daily basis. Mubare group (16 gorillas; 1 silverback) was opened for tourism in 1993, while Habinyanja group (23 gorillas, 2 silver backs) was ready in July 1998. A third group of gorillas (17 members, 2 silver back) is due to open for tourism soon. Get updates from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Headquarters or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Maximums of 8 gorilla permits per day are sold for each of these groups at UWA Headquarters in Kampala. Book at least 3 months (but not more than one year) in advance to ensure that requested dates are available.

Gorillas Tracking in Bwindi can be strenuous therefore make sure you are physically fit. Carry jungle boots and rain jackets given the fact that the park is often wet.

Gorilla tracking experience starts at 8:30 am local time and occasionally lasts the whole day! Once tracked, gorillas are supposed to be met for only one hour For Conservation reasons, visits to the gorillas are tightly controlled.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has been designated a Biosphere Reserve for humanity under UNESCO auspice. The park together with Kyambura and Kigezi Wildlife reserve form one of the most diverse ecosystems in Africa . It is situated in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley and covers 1,978sq.km from semi-deciduous tropical forest to green meadows savannah and swamps.

It is the home of the famous tree climbing lions as well as the Uganda kob, other antelope's species, topi,hyenas ,crocodiles waterbucks elephant, baboons, hippos, buffalo, and 10 primate species including chimpanzees and many more. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded, making the park a magnet for bird watchers. The bird species includes the black bee-eater, 11 types of king fisher, and several species of falcons, eagles and the raptors and many more. In the crater lakes to the north, flocks of flamingoes can be found. A favorite way to view the game is by launch trip on the Kazinga Channel between Lakes George and Edward.Alpeter

[wakingdream]

Thanks for the info!