A guide to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda’s most popular destination

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most popular national park in Uganda. It is home to almost half of the world’s remaining population of the mountain gorillas. The famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located in the Kigezi Highlands of south-west Uganda. Lying on the outskirts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bwindi is located in the terraced hills portrayed by steep slopes and limit valleys as a general slope from the north and west to the south-western corner.

The region constitutes a paramount water catchment range serving the encompassing thickly populated agrarian area and is one of the few huge territories of forested land in East Africa. This is where marsh and montane vegetation groups meet. The area is served by three major tributaries of the lshasha River emptying into Lake Edward to the north, and the Ndego, Kanyamwabo and Shongi waterways stream southwards towards Lake Mutanda.

The area is characterized by underlying shakes that are phyllites and shales, with some quartz, quartzite and stone outcrops.

Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accessible both by road and air. Most visitors can fly and land in Kigali International Airport and then travel to Bwindi (Journey of 6 Hours).

There are also domestic flights from Entebbe to Kihihi Airstrip (for northern Bwindi) or Kisoro (in southern Bwindi).

What to see in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

There are lots of things to see in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with even unique attractions can be seen below;

There is a lot of amazing wildlife in the park. These include mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, different tree and plant species and many more that wait for you to explore.

Mountain Gorillas

Uganda offers refuge to more than 480 mountain gorillas, representing about half of the population that thrives on earth with about 400 of them in Bwindi National Park forested jungles. The mountain gorillas are the star attraction of Bwindi and every year thousands of visitors travel to the park to see the great apes.

Wild Chimpanzees

Beyond mountain gorillas, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is also a home to chimpanzee that live within the forest.

Birds

There are over 360 bird species within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Things to Do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Trekking

Mountain gorillas have become the most sought after apes in the world today making Uganda one of the only three most incredible countries by trekkers to realize their dreams. About 15 gorilla families have been habituated and they ready for visitors to track each day on organized gorilla trekking safaris that are led by experienced guides. Make your dream come true while on an ecofriendly gorilla safari adventure in only one hour of face to face encounter with a group of these dramatic Apes in their natural habitat.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four main tracking areas where gorilla treks start. These include; Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.

The Buhoma area is situated in the northern side of Bwindi National Park and it features 3 habituated families (Rushegura, Habinyanja and Mubare).

Rushaga area is in the southern area and features habituated families like Nshongi, Busingye, Mishaya, Kahungye whereas Nkuringo area features only Nkuringo group. Ruhija area consists of families like Oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguriro.

Gorilla Habituation Experience

Would you like to spend more hours with the gorillas in the wild? Alternatively, you can spend all the four hours on gorilla habituation in Bwindi National Park. This is one of the newly introduced adventure activities which will involve you following the mountain gorillas in the wild for almost an entire day! This activity costs USD 1500 per person and this is the highlight of meeting the great apes.

How to get gorilla permits

Would you like to see the Bwindi gorillas? All you need is to book gorilla permits and get your spot reserved for you! Gorilla permits cost US$700 per person and you can book gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a local tour operator

If you would like to stay longer with the gorillas, you can book a gorilla habituation permit at US$1500. The experience is only done in the Rushaga Sector, in the southern part of Bwindi.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park

The park is open to visitors all year round. Though the activity is all year round, most travelers prefer going on gorilla treks during the dry season. This makes the months of June, July, August and September to be the peak months for gorilla trips and it is important to book your permit at least six months if you are looking to a trip during these months. Another dry season occurs in December, January and February.

All in all weather conditions are ideal all year round and some travelers opt for gorilla trekking even during the wet or rainy season. The rainy season occurs in March, April, May as well as October and November.

What to pack on your gorilla safari in Bwindi National Park

In your packing list for gorilla trekking, you need to consider essentials first including waterproof hiking boots, water, energy giving snacks, first aid kit, camera with no flashlight, long sleeved shirts/t-shirt, trousers, hat, sunscreen, walking stick-this can be got at the park or lodge, sweater, rain jacket/poncho and others.

Where to spend a night in Bwindi National Park

There is a wide range of accommodation options for those looking to stay close to the Bwindi Forest. Lodging options include budget, midrange as well as luxurious safari lodges and campsites. Check out the Visit Bwindi portal for the different accommodation options and book your stay close to the famous world heritage site.

In conclusion, Bwindi is a great destination, a must visit place for those looking to gorilla watching in Africa.  Get started with planning your next trip and hit the trails to meet the endangered mountain gorillas face to face in their natural home, in the remote side of Uganda!