Home to half of the World's Gorilla population
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is 331 square kilometers of tropical forest, high hills, and deep valleys in southwest Uganda, bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The elevation ranges from 1,160m to 2,607m above sea level, with approximately 60% of the park over 2,000 meters. The park’s lowest point is at its northernmost tip, and its highest point is Rwamunyonyi Peak (2,607m) on the park’s eastern side. Five main rivers feed the Lakes of Edward, Mutanda, and Bunyonyi from these highlands, supplied by yearly rainfall ranging from 1,400 to 1,900 mm.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 400 endangered mountain gorillas. The majestic great apes have made the forest Uganda’s exclusive tourist attraction. Seeing mountain gorillas in their native habitat is one of the most intense and humbling animal encounters. Trekkers returning from gorilla tracking are always easy to spot. Its isolation, natural beauty, and captivating biodiversity make the forest a major attraction on its own.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You will join a group of up to eight other guests for a guided walk into the dense forest in search of one of 21 habituated gorilla families. Gorilla trekking starts at one of four trailheads on the forest’s perimeters (Buhoma, Nkurongi, Rushaga, and Ruhija). While you journey to see the gorillas, you will be informed about the ecosystem of the forest and the changing environment by skilled, specialized Uganda Wildlife Authority guides. Your guides are in contact with the team of trackers who have been following the gorillas since dawn.
To get to the location of the gorillas, you need to be prepared to trek for between 45 minutes to three hours across the difficult terrain of high peaks and valleys. After making contact, you get up to an hour to view the gorilla family from a 10-meter distance. You should be prepared for relaxed mothers or curious gorilla babies to significantly close this gap! The trackers will remain in command of the encounter, instructing you on how to be safe and have a great time.
Because the number of gorilla permits issued each day is severely limited, the high season months of June to September, as well as January and February, sell out months in advance. It is thus advised that you plan your trip at least a year in advance, if not sooner. Although gorilla permits are non-refundable, the Uganda Wildlife Authority will reimburse 50% of the permit cost if you do not see a gorilla which is quite unusual.
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Gorilla Habituation Experience.
Tourists frequently inquire about the distinction between trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. One of the explanations is that, in recent years, Uganda has given an exceptional opportunity to join a gorilla habituation experience where you will spend up to four hours with one gorilla family. This experience costs $1,500 per person, but with just six trekkers in a group, it is an intensive and unforgettable experience, ideal for people who are passionate about gorillas or want to create the perfect photographic record of the encounter.
Even if the cost isn’t a problem, it’s not for everyone. In a tiny section of the forest, 4 hours is a long time to be silent and watchful. Many people find it extremely difficult to concentrate for longer than one hour. Yet, it might be an ultimate trip highlight for some.
THE 4 GORILLA TREKKING SECTORS IN BWINDI
The trekking sectors for habituated families include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each sector has its own unique characteristics, gorilla families, and level of difficulty.
Treks to 21 completely habituated gorilla families begin at the trailheads. The usual hikes begin in the morning and involve up to an hour of observation of the gorillas from a distance of roughly 10 meters. The hikes may be fairly difficult, and you should be prepared to walk for up to 6 hours. However, most sightings occur within 2-3 hours.
BUHOMA SECTOR
Buhoma Gorilla tracking began in this location in 1993. This sector boasts the largest variety of lodging options and serves as the park’s headquarters. If you arrive in Bwindi from the north, you will most likely stay at Buhoma. The geography near Buhoma may enable some of the more accessible gorilla hikes, especially given the Rushegura family’s proximity to the village. Buhoma is also home to amazing non-governmental organizations such as Bike 4 a Woman and the Batwa Development Project, as well as local craftspeople who provide intriguing and frequently uplifting experiences outside of the forest.
RUHIJA
Ruhija, 45 kilometers from Buhoma, is believed to be one of the most attractive gorilla tracking sectors. It is also one of the most difficult, standing at 2,340 meters. The local roads have now been repaired to the point where guests frequently stay in Buhoma, enjoying a wider selection of lodging options, and then track in Ruhija. The two sectors serving the park’s north are Buhoma and Ruhija. Because of its greater lodging options, Buhoma is frequently the sector of choice for those traveling down from the north.
RUSHAGA
Rushaga is the first sector in the park’s southern section. At Rushaga, there are 8 gorilla groups, with 64 permits available daily. There are also six permits allocated for the gorilla habituation experience. The landscape here is more open, affording stunning views of the hills rather than immersing trekkers in the forest, making it simpler to navigate than Ruhija. While there are local lodging choices, hikers staying in Nkuringo, surrounding Lake Mutanda, or even Kisoro can reach Rushaga for their gorilla trek.
NKURINGO SECTOR
Nkuringo, which opened in 2004, is located in the distant south of Bwindi, completely opposite Buhoma. The sector is located on the Nteko Ridge at an elevation of 2,100 meters, 600 meters above the Kashasha River valley, where the Nkuringo gorilla troop likes to wander. This results in a sharp slope at the start of a climb and a difficult return walk. Nkuringo is without a doubt the most challenging trekking destination of the 4 sectors. Yet it’s spectacular, with spectacular views of the Virunga Ranges. A safari here also allows you to see local farming villages, have a Batwa experience, and visit the beautiful lakes of Mutanda and Bunyoni.
What is the best time to visit Bwindi Forest?
The weather at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is unpredictable due to Uganda’s equatorial position and increasingly varied climate. Expect rain at any time while visiting Bwindi. Nevertheless, the biggest rainfall usually falls between mid-March and the end of May, and then again from the end of September to the end of November. While the rains from March to May are frequently brief, those from September to November are more frequently characterized by hours of mild drizzle.
Gorilla tracking is possible at any time of year, but it becomes more difficult when the pathways are slippery. Therefore, the dry months of June to mid-September, as well as December, January, and February, are the most popular seasons to follow gorillas. During the wet months, permits are simpler to obtain on short notice, and there’s something revitalizing about sitting amid a troop of gorillas, mud-covered and unconcerned, and feeling like you’re the only humans in the forest.
What to do after gorilla trekking
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a beautiful destination to visit because of its physical variety, wildlife, natural beauty, and unique cultures. While the normal stay is just two or three nights, and the main reason for visiting is to track gorillas, there is much more to do and a longer stay is recommended. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provides some wonderful forest hikes, the fauna is diverse and extends far beyond gorillas. Spend some time with the indigenous people of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Batwa. Learning about their culture and their connection with the forest is captivating.
Forest Hike
There are guided walks offered from each trailhead. The divide from the Buhoma sector to the Nkuringo sector is one of the most popular since it allows you to hike from one edge of the forest to the other. The hike takes between 3 and 5 hours, depending on the path followed, while slower walkers may wind up taking all day. There is no hurry; you wander leisurely through the forest, soaking in the sights and sounds, noticing the changes, and pausing just to appreciate the tranquility. Keep an eye out for recognizable footprints, steaming heaps of excrement, and a dark form in the vegetation. After all, this is gorilla territory.
Cultural encounters
Together with the primates and birds, it is crucial to remember that people are just as important as gorillas in the tale of Bwindi. Giving locals opportunities to better their lives and relate their stories will go a long way toward securing the forest and its inhabitants survival for years to come. Fortunately, a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park includes the opportunity to learn about the Batwa people, the original human residents of the forest, and the Bakiga, from the forest’s outskirts who support sustainable development efforts. You may also tour the village of Buhoma, meeting and seeing local craftspeople.
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The elevation range, history, remoteness, and flora of Bwindi impenetrable national park have all led to the creation of one of Africa’s most biodiverse forests. Except for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has more animal species than any other Ugandan park. There are around 160 tree species and 100 fern types. The mountain gorilla is the most well-known of the animals. Other primates present include chimps (unhabituated), olive baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and blue monkeys. In the southeast of the forest, there is a seldom observed herd of about 30 forest elephants, as well as 6 antelope types: bushbuck and five duiker types.
Despite the fact that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a relatively limited wetland habitat, it is home to over 350 bird species. 23 of these are indigenous to the Albertine Rift, while at least 14 are found nowhere else in Uganda. Butterflies bring color and are an excellent indicator of a forest’s ecological health. Bwindi boasts at least 200 species, as well as a diverse array of reptiles and amphibians.
Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Buhoma has the bulk of the lodges. Budget accommodations such as Buhoma Community Haven Lodge and Engagi Lodge have gained popularity throughout the years. Mahogany Springs and Buhoma Lodge are popular mid-range alternatives, while Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge and Gorilla Forest Camp are two of the best options available. Bakiga lodge and Agandi Uganda are some of the popular midrange options in Ruhija. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge in the extreme south offers modern, luxurious lodging, while Nkuringo Lodge and Bweza lodge offer good midrange lodging options.
How to Get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
While driving from Entebbe to Bwindi still takes more than 10 hours on a good day. It is also feasible to fly to one of two airstrips, Kihihi and Kisoro, reducing the route to a 90-minute flight and a 1.5-hour drive. The flights run on a daily basis, merging with other Ugandan destinations. The drive from Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi takes around 2 hours while the drive to Lake Mburo National Park takes 5-6 hours.
Driving from the southern part of Bwindi and crossing into Rwanda, to explore Rwanda or to continue to Kigali to fly home is also growing increasingly popular. Depending on local conditions, the drive from Bwindi to the Rwandan border takes around two hours, while the second leg to Kigali takes about three hours.