The 1999 Bwindi Massacre – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in the Kigezi Highlands, spanning the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, and Kanungu.
The park contains one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, dating back approximately 25,000 years, and is home to a variety of wildlife species. It harbors over 120 mammal species, more than 350 bird species (23 of which are endemic), 200 butterfly species, including 8 Albertine Rift endemics, and numerous reptiles.
Bwindi is world-renowned for being home to 459 endangered mountain gorillas, accounting for about half of the remaining wild population.
The Mubare gorilla family was the first to be opened for trekking in 1993, followed by other families. Today, the park has over 20 gorilla families available for trekking. Bwindi covers 331 square kilometers and is governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The 1999 Bwindi Massacre
The 1999 Bwindi Massacre was a tragic event in which 8 tourists and a U.S. couple were killed by Rwandan rebels during the aftermath of the Rwandan liberation. The rebels were believed to be Hutu fighters who had participated in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
The massacre was reportedly a retaliation for the support the UK and U.S. governments provided to the Tutsi during the Rwandan conflict, which angered the Hutu rebels. Other sources suggest the massacre was a response to UK and U.S. support given to Uganda.
The tourists were killed using machetes and spears carried by the Hutu rebels. The rebels also looted buildings, setting them on fire, and forced the tourists to march barefoot through the forest.
Four of the tourists were from the UK, two from New Zealand, and a couple from the USA. Four park employees were also killed.
Some of the victims included Mari Lindgren, a graduate of Nottingham University, Steven Roberts from the UK, and Robert Haubner and Susan Miller, a couple from the USA who were on their honeymoon in Africa.
At the time, travel to Bwindi was suspended. However, today, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is considered one of the safest places in Uganda. Security has been significantly enhanced, with the presence of tourism police to protect visitors.
Activities in Bwindi
- Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla trekking is the park’s major activity, making Bwindi a prime tourist destination in Africa. There are over 20 gorilla families available for trekking. Each day, 8 people are allowed to visit each gorilla family for 1 hour. A gorilla permit is required to participate in the trek, costing around USD 800 per person per trek.
- Bird Watching: The park is home to over 350 bird species, which tourists can spot in the trees and swamps. Some notable species include the handsome francolin, African green broadbill, red-faced woodland warbler, chestnut-throated apalis, white-tailed crested flycatcher, yellow-streaked greenbul, and Shelley’s crimsonwing, among others.
- Gorilla Habituation: Gorilla habituation involves acclimatizing gorillas to human presence, and Bwindi is the only place in Uganda where this activity is permitted. Through gorilla habituation, tourists have the opportunity to spend up to 4 hours with gorillas in the wild.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a safe and peaceful destination that welcomes tourists from all over the world. It offers unique wildlife experiences, such as gorilla trekking and bird-watching, making it a prime destination for eco-tourism.