Why Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Lives Up to Its Name. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the places that lives up to its name. It was not given for impression or marketing purposes but it a reality of what really this majestic forest is all about. I think Bwindi Impenetrable Forest would have had a name that does not bring out the real image of it. However, its name brings it out. You go in knowing that you will find lots of hardships since its the impenetrable. The forest has so far existed for over 25,000 years hence proving its name.
Why Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Lives Up to Its Name
The meaning of Impenetrable
Impenetrable is easily understood when you go to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, just at its edges you will immediately understand. Many forests begin gradually but for it it begins at once the moment you into it. The light changes, it’s so dense to an extent that you might need to go back. This impenetrable forest never dries, harbors a number of different tree species, walking through it involves hiking hence more fitness.
Bwindi comes from a Runyakitara word Mubwindi which means a dark place. The forest was called a dark place due to thick canopies that do not allow too much light to penetrate which keeps it dark most of the times with few light rays during day. The life span of this forest says a lot about its appearance. The impenetrable is a home to over 459 mountain gorillas which is half of the total available gorillas in the entire world. The survival of these majestic gentle giants is as a result of the impenetrable forest that has protect them for quite a number of years before they were even discovered.
The impenetrable Survival
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has survived many errors and these include the last ice age where most of the forests disappeared. It survived colonisation and the modernisation it came with. The growing population of Uganda that has come with deforestation, cultivation and all sorts. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is as well still surviving the modernisation of the 21st century. This has happened due to its nature, the impenetrability makes it difficult and expensive to cut down, its terrain nature, the interlocked and dense trees all this making it remain the ancient fragment of what East African Forest covers used to look like. The forest protected its self before the conservation issues came in and it was turned into a National Park. The greatest asset of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is its name and nature.
Mountain Gorillas
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to half of the worlds remaining mountain gorillas and others are found in the Virunga Massif within Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. What makes the Bwindi gorillas unique is that they are not like the others, they were raised by the impenetrable forest, they are used to its altitude, terrain, forest density and the food specifically from Bwindi Forest. They where literally made by the forest hence inhabiting it.
The gorillas are the crown jewel of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Trekking the gorillas is a dream for most travellers however tracking to find these gentle giants requires some fitness just as the name of the forest “impenetrable”. You will climb steeper slopes, the light is dim, might fall since the forest never dries, slip on roots and some many challenges which may include rain since in the impenetrable forest it shows up at anytime un announced.
However, an encounter with the gorillas makes you forget all the challenges faced. Looking at the silver back with out rushing, juveniles and infants playing around care free, the female gorillas taking care of the babies. Meeting a gorilla family and spending an hour with it creates a life time impressive memory. Bwindi gorilla encounter feels like a lottery won if compared with Rwanda trekking which is more accessible.
The Four Sectors
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest large covering about 331 sq.km and in this it was divided into four sectors namely Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma and Nkuringo. Each sector has a number of habituated gorilla families and each is allocated a number of permits daily.
Rushaga Sector
Rushaga is found in the south and among all the sectors it has the largest number of habituated gorilla families in Bwindi. Additionally, it as well as the highest number of permits. What makes it more unique is the only place all over the world that offers gorilla habituation giving a chance to visitors to encounter a partially habituated gorilla family.
Ruhija sector
Ruhija sits at an elevation of 2,350 metres which makes it the one with highest altitude among the four sectors. While in Ruhija Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the forest is noticeably denser, the trekking is more challenging compared to other sectors but the sightings are the best.
Buhoma Sector
Buhoma Sector is the oldest trekking sector and gorilla trekking has taken place their since 1993. This sector is found in the north and its rewards are worth every cost and hardship.
Nkuringo Sector
This sector is famous for having the best views amongst all since it faces Democratic Republic of Congo. This sector terrain is steep hence making return a bit straining but the experience is worth it.
Uganda through Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park shows that Uganda is naturally beautiful and rewarded. The unpolished roads, bumpy and after all this beautiful and unfiltered nature shows up. Bwindi Impenetrable does not promise that it will be easy to go into it. But still thousands of tourists show up every year hence proving that Uganda is worth it.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest tells its reality just from the name so expect no surprises it is indeed impenetrable as how it states. Thanks to the one who named this might forest for being real.
