Amphibians in Bwindi

Amphibians in Bwindi: Bwindi is one of the popular and most visited national parks in Uganda located in the southwestern part of the country and is popular for Gorilla trekking activities. The national park was gazetted in 1991 and as of today, it covers a total area of 331sq.km. The park is home to different wildlife species among which include primates which are 10 in number, 120 mammals, 350 bird species, 51 reptiles, 27 amphibians, and 160 tree species.

There are about 27 amphibians in Bwindi of which 11 are endemic to the Albertine rift region. Amphibians are small cold-blooded vertebrates that can only survive where there is water. Amphibians in Bwindi include frogs, salamanders, and frogs which are seen at the different water sources in Bwindi sectors which are Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga.

List of amphibians in Bwindi

Amphibians in Bwindi park include Congo wot wot, Kivu reed frog, white snouted reed frog, cinnamon belled reed frog, brown reed frog, African red toad, gutturad toad, eastern flat-backed toad, smooth spiny reed frog, highland reed frog, mottle-side reed frog, common reed frog, Senegal running frog, eastern flat backed toad, rugegewald screeching frog, christy’s tree from, efulen forest tree frog, and bocage’s reed frog among others.

Most of the amphibians in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be seen around the water sources which are waterfalls and rivers of Bwindi. Frogs in Bwindi can be seen on Munyaga waterfalls, Munyaga River, River Ishasha, River Ihihizo, River Ivi, and River Ntengyere which are all found inside the park. Amphibians in Bwindi are seen feeding on bugs, snails, slugs, spiders, other frogs, smaller birds, and spiders.

Guided nature walks can lead you to places where amphibians can be seen and well-trained armed ranger guides will be able to tell you different information you would like to know about these amphibians. While heading to these water sources, tourists do get opportunities of encountering different park mammals, primates, birds, and plant species.

Best time to visit Bwindi

Bwindi can be visited at any time of the year however the best time to visit Bwindi would be the dry season. This happens from June to September and December to February with the months characterized by little or no rainfall which makes the trekking trails remain dry, the vegetation is short and thin with good views of the animals and the roads to the park are passable.

Travelers especially budget travelers can visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking activities in the rainy season to benefit from the huge discounts on accommodation facilities. The rainy months are characterized by too much rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall and thick with unclear views of the park attractions and the roads connecting to the park are impassable.

Accessing Bwindi park

Accessing Bwindi park is quiet easy for all people from different parts of the world. It is in the southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed in 4-5 hours from Kigali using Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika birder in Kisoro. The national park can still be accessed from Kampala to Kabale or Kisoro or Kanungu in 9-10 hours when you use road transport. Travelers that use air transport can access the park in a short time by flying to Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe international airport.