About the park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is about 321km² and its altitude ranges from 1,160m – 2,607m above sea level. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rain forests, which dates back over 25,000 years, and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 459 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked. The population has increased in recent years under strict conservation efforts, and makes up nearly 50% of the total mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Transboundary Collaboration area. Sprawled over a series of steep ridges and valleys, Bwindi is the source of five major rivers which flow into Lake Edward.

This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 bird species hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Bwindi is also home to at least 200 butterfly species including the eight Albertine rift endemics. Many reptiles are also found in this enigmatic park.

Visitors to this park also have the opportunity to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances and workshops by the locals, and also through village walks.

Activities

Gorilla tracking

A gorilla tracking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a dream come true for almost every visitor to Uganda, and has been dubbed the best wildlife experience on earth. Coming face to face with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, seeing the sheer might yet gentleness of the silverbacks and the playful nature of the juveniles and infants is an unforgettable experience. Gorilla treks begin at 8 AM every day with a briefing after which groups of a maximum of eight visitors trek into the mysterious jungle. Led by expert rangers and an experienced team of advance trackers, the trek can last anywhere from 1 to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas are on a particular day. Once the gorillas are sighted, all fatigue is forgotten as visitors have a whole glorious hour with them. These gorillas have been habituated to human presence and will go about their business, paying little to no attention to the trekkers. Although the hike is physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and being in the presence of these great apes makes it all worthwhile. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see several other fauna and flora species along the way. Visitors need to book and pay in advance for a gorilla permit.

Gorilla habituation

Unlike gorilla tracking, the habituation experience follows one of the families that is in the process of being accustomed to human presence. Habituation is important to ensure the primates’ safety as well as their relative comfort. During the habituation experience, a maximum of 4 visitors will spend more time with the family of gorillas (a total of 4 hours is allowed) as the Uganda Wildlife Authority team of rangers and researchers performs their daily tasks of grooming the family. All visitors to Bwindi for the Gorilla Habituation Experience will need a gorilla habituation permit. This needs to be booked and paid for in advance.

Forest/Nature walks

Guided nature walks in Bwindi lead to some of the park’s streams and stunning waterfalls and along the way, visitors can bask in the richness of the biodiversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Butterfly species and other invertebrates, birds, primates, and vegetation can also be sighted.

Hiking from Buhoma to Nkuringo and vice versa

There are 2 hiking trails that have been developed in the dense Bwindi Forest i.e. the Kashasha trail (takes about 7hrs – 17kms approx.) and the Ivy Trail (takes about 4hrs – 9kms approx.). Visitors have the opportunity to hike from Buhoma (northern section) to Nkuringo (southern section). Hiking through the ancient forest imparts a sense of true wonder on any visitor. There is a wide diversity of wildlife that can be spotted during the walk including monkeys, duikers, birds and many colorful butterflies.

Birds are prolific in Bwindi Forest and your expert hiking guide will point these out to you during your walk. A Batwa guide is available, upon request, to show you the medicinal plants of the forest and share the previously traditional way the Batwa lived in the forest.

Birding

With over 351 bird species, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a favorite spot for birders and boasts at least 23 Albertine rift endemics. Birding in Bwindi is not only exciting for the unique bird species present but is also rewarding in the form of diversity that can be identified on a single day’s escapade. Birding trips are led by one of the Uganda Wildlife Authority expert ranger guides along the trails through this ancient rainforest. Birders may be lucky to spot some of the park’s other wildlife and this is what makes Bwindi and Uganda’s birding safaris even more interesting. Some of the birds that can be got in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Dusky Crimson-wing, Dusky Twin-spot, Handsome Francolin, African Wood Owl, Rwenzori Nightjar, Bar-tailed Trogon, African Green Broadbill, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Dwarf Honeyguide, Western Green Tinkerbird, Black Bee-eater, White-bellied Robin Chat, Archer’s Robin Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Shelley’s Greenbul, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Black-faced Rufus Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Kivu Ground Thrush, Tit Hylia, Strip-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Mountain-masked Apalis, Collared Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, and so many more.        

Community visits

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in the region of the Bakiga and Batwa people, both fascinating groups of people with unique traditions and cultures. Cultural tours offer visitors the opportunity to visit the local ironsmith, a visit to a crafts village, a trip to the traditional healer whose expertise is in local prescriptions that have healed the people of the land for centuries, a visit to the Ride 4 a Woman project to learn about how gorilla tourism has impacted their lives and you can also participate in some of the activities on offer and join in their traditional dances or skits. Community tours can either be held the day before your gorilla trek or after to crown off an unforgettable encounter with the great apes of this impenetrable forest.

Itinerary ideas

3 days Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Day 1 – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, overnight

Day 2 – Gorilla trekking, overnight

Day 3 – Drive back to Kampala

4 days gorilla safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 1 – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, overnight

Day 2 – Gorilla trekking, overnight

Day 3 – Gorilla habituation, overnight

Day 4 – Drive back to Kampala

 5 days Bwindi Impenetrable safari

Day 1 – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, overnight

Day 2 – Gorilla trekking, overnight

Day 3 – Waterfalls hike, visit Ride 4 a Woman project, overnight

Day 4 – Batwa Experience, visit a school if in session, overnight

Day 5 – Drive back to Kampala

Accommodation

Upmarket: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gahinga Lodge  

Midrange: Mahogany Springs, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Trackers Lodge  

Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort and Campsite