The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda
in the Kanungu District.
The name Bwindi is derived from the Runyakitara word Mubwindi
and means “a place full of darkness”. This name comes from the extensive
stands of bamboo interspersed amongst the larger forest hardwoods.
The bamboo and thick ground cover of ferns, vines,
and other plant growth severely hinder direct access on foot.
The forest is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth
when it comes to wild life.
Half of the world’s population of the highlyendangered mountain
gorillas live within its borders.
At present the forest is believed to contain 120 mammals species,
348 bird species, 220 butterfly species and 27 frog species.
While mountain gorillas are the most notable of the forest’s primates, other residents include chimpanzees, blue monkeys, l’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys.[8] The forest’s birds include great blue turacos, black-billed turacos, black bee-eaters, African green broadbills, handsome francolins,
African black ducks and Cassin’s grey flycatchers.