Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best place in Uganda to see mountain gorillas in the wild. It lies in the far south-west of the country, close to the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park covers about 331 square kilometres of steep, misty rainforest. In fact, it is one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa.
Almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas live here. As a result, Bwindi is the first name on most gorilla safari wish lists. However, the forest offers much more than gorillas. You can also look for forest monkeys, rare birds, colourful butterflies and waterfalls, and you can meet the Batwa and Bakiga communities who live around the park.
Below, you will find everything you need to plan your trip. We cover the wildlife, the main activities, the four trekking sectors, the best time to visit and how to get there. Finally, we show you which of our safaris include Bwindi.
The forest is home to more than 120 mammal species. Of these, around ten are primates. Besides the mountain gorillas, you may see chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and baboons. Bwindi is also one of the few places where gorillas and chimpanzees share the same forest.
Birders love Bwindi too. The park has more than 350 bird species, including many Albertine Rift endemics that are hard to find elsewhere. In addition, the forest holds more than 250 species of butterflies. Forest elephants and duikers also live here, although they are shy and rarely seen.
Gorilla trekking is the main reason most people come. More than 15 gorilla families are habituated for tourism. Each morning, rangers brief small groups and lead them into the forest to find one family. The walk can take anything from one hour to most of the day, depending on where the gorillas are. Once you find them, you spend one magical hour watching them feed, play and rest. To learn more, read our complete guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda.
If one hour is not enough, consider the habituation experience. Here, you join researchers and rangers with a gorilla family that is still getting used to people. You spend about four hours with the group. It costs more and permits are limited. Even so, many visitors call it the highlight of their lives. See our page on the four-hour gorilla habituation for details.
Guided walks take you along forest trails, past streams and waterfalls. For example, the Buhoma waterfall trail is a lovely half-day walk. There is also a 13 km trail from Buhoma to the Ivi River, where you may spot bushbuck, colobus and red-tailed monkeys.
Early mornings are best for birds. The Ruhija sector is especially popular with birders, since it gives access to a swamp trail with several rare species.
Finally, you can visit the people who live next to the forest. The Batwa were the original forest dwellers. Today, they share their traditions through songs, dances and stories. You can also walk through Bakiga villages, see local farming and buy handmade crafts.
Bwindi is divided into four sectors, and each one has its own trailheads and gorilla families. Your permit is for a specific sector, so it helps to choose the right one early.
Rushaga and Nkuringo are the closest sectors to Kigali. Meanwhile, Buhoma is easier to combine with Queen Elizabeth National Park. Gorilla permits are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the price changes from time to time. So, Roots will confirm the current rate when you enquire. You can also read our guide to booking gorilla permits.
In 1932, two blocks of the forest became Crown Forest Reserves. Later, in 1964, the area became an animal sanctuary to protect the gorillas. The government then made the forest a national park in 1991. Just three years later, in 1994, UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site because of its rich wildlife and plant life.
The forest is very old. Many experts believe it survived the last ice age, which helps explain its huge variety of species. Today, the Uganda Wildlife Authority manages the park. Thanks to strong protection, gorilla numbers have grown steadily over the past decades.
The local name for the forest is linked to an old story. A family once tried to cross a thick swamp in the south of the forest. It seemed impossible to get through, so they asked the spirits for safe passage. This is how the idea of an “impenetrable” forest was born.
You can visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park all year round. However, the forest sits in the mountains, so rain can fall at any time. Most showers come at night or early in the morning, and the sun comes out on most days.
The drier months are generally the easiest for trekking. These are roughly January to March, June to October and the second half of December. During these months, trails are less muddy and steep slopes are easier to climb. On the other hand, the wetter months are quieter and the forest is very green. Whatever the season, pack good boots, a rain jacket and gloves for gripping vegetation. For more advice, see our guide to the best months for gorilla trekking.
By road, Bwindi is a drive of nine hours or more from Entebbe International Airport. Because this is a long day, many travellers break the journey with a night in Lake Mburo or Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Alternatively, you can fly into Kigali in Rwanda. From Kigali, it is only about four hours by road to Rushaga or Nkuringo in the south of the park. This makes Kigali a popular gateway for short gorilla trips.
You can also take a scheduled domestic flight from Entebbe to an airstrip near the park. Then, a driver meets you for the final transfer. As a result, you save time and enjoy great views from the air.
Bwindi works well as a short trip or as the highlight of a longer safari. For a quick visit, our 2 day Kigali to Bwindi trek is ideal. If you have a little more time, the 3 day Bwindi gorilla safari gives you a relaxed pace. Many guests also add Queen Elizabeth National Park for tree-climbing lions and a boat cruise.
Every Roots safari is tailor-made. So, tell us your dates and interests, and we will plan your visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You can browse the trips that include Bwindi below, or contact us for a free itinerary.
Not sure where to start? Chat with our safari specialists. We’ll help you find the perfect adventure.Every great journey begins with a conversation. Let’s plan yours.
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