A Guide to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Neighboring Areas
A Complete Guide to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with travel information on what to do, where to go, things to see, maps & guides, where to stay, tips & advice. This travel guide is packed with complete travel information to help you plan a gorilla safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & explore the neighboring areas including Lake Mutanda, Lake Bunyonyi, Echuya Forest & more. This guide features up-to-date information on attractions, hotels, restaurants, places where to go shopping, enjoy nightlife, travel tips and more. Rated as #1 destination and vacation planner for Bwindi Forest, South Western Uganda.
This site is dedicated to making sure you have and maximize the best of your visit to Bwindi by educating you in advance on all that the destination has to offer and how you can plan a smooth safari in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
A safari to Bwindi Forest is a visit to one of the most amazing and special places on planet earth. Since 1994 the park receives a considerable number of travelers from throughout the world to experience epic gorilla tracking. Experience the magic of the gorilla land – filled with majestic flora, amazing wildlife, spectacular waterfalls, pristine rivers and much more that provide ample opportunity for great exploration and photography.
Experience Bwindi Live never Before
Let us help make your tour to Bwindi better. Would you like to go gorilla trekking in the Impenetrable forest or you are interested in just a simple hike? We bring to you the best gorilla trekking tours in Uganda offered by selected tour operators. Here are some popular gorilla treks to Bwindi;
Special Offers for 2021/2022
Plan an Amazing Trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The BwindiImpenetrableNationalPark.com is a local online guide since 2010 and till today it continues to serve its purpose. It is here to help you plan your safari or vacation to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Use our comprehensive travel guide to plan a tour to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in South Western Uganda. This portal offers complete information on the best things to see, things to do, where to stay, where to dine, & travel tips to help you plan gorilla safari. Find local attractions including museums, as well as listing of tourist amenities including bars, theaters and shops and more.
Whether you are looking to gorilla trekking, bird watching, community tours or volunteering, we hope to see you in Bwindi this year! Our aim is to provide free and inspiring advice to plan an amazing gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi National Park and Uganda in general. We endeavor to make this guide, the most comprehensive and authoritative guide to gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest and Uganda in general.
About the Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the flagship of Uganda’s tourism, the number 1 destination to visit in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over half of the world’s 1060 mountain gorillas – the rest live in the neighboring Virunga Ranges; Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in DR Congo and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Read More
Getting There
Where is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park? Located in South Western Uganda, Bwindi Forest is the favorite destination to travelers looking to gorilla trekking in Uganda. The park can easily be accessed from Kampala in Uganda and Kigali in Rwanda. Learn more about getting here and around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Travel Guide
Have the guide locate you on the map and show you the best route to each destination in Bwindi. Discover what’s on and places to visit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Travel maps will guide you to the top attractions, tourist trails and are also important in finding where to go shopping, finding hotels, directions to hotels & bars, restaurants. Read More
Top Things to Do in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
For the active visitor, the park has got a lot to do during your visit. From the popular gorilla treks to nature walks through well developed trails, you will enjoy explorations through the impenetrable jungles of Bwindi. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an outdoor paradise for wildlife watchers, hiking enthusiasts, family vacationers, outdoor lovers, and photographers of all skill levels. Though gorilla trekking is the major thing to do, there are many adventure activities that tourists can enjoy in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Here are the top things to do in Bwindi Forest.
Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorillas are indisputably Bwindi’s stars of the show where they were habituated since 1993. There are presently four sectors in Bwindi with over 19 habituated groups where 18 of them are open for gorilla tracking while the remaining one was reserved for research purposes. Bwindi is the favorite destination for gorilla trekking and the most affordable destination to travelers. Read More
Gorilla Habituation
This fascinating experience is only available and possible in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and tourists spend a maximum of 4 hours with a mountain gorilla family. This breathtaking experience is a one of a kind experience in the whole world. There are currently two gorilla groups undergoing habituation and tourists can visit them and experience what others say is fascinating. Read More
Bird watching
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise. It homes over 351 species of birds including 23 Albertine Rift endemics such as Rusty-faced woodland Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Short-tailed Warbler, Kivu Ground Thrush and White-tailed Blue Monarch among others, which are hard to spot in any other part of East Africa. This Park was also selected as Africa’s number one birding site. Read More
The Batwa experience
The Batwa were the indigenous inhabitants of the forest and had lived there thousands of years even before the Bantu people (considered the cultivators of land) arrived. The Batwa commonly referred as the pygmies were initially hunter-gatherers and settled in the jungles of South-western Uganda and beyond. This riveting Batwa experience involves tourists exploring these people’s ancient way of life. Read More
Nature walks/hiking
This is commonly done by tourists who have mostly 2 -4 days to explore the Bwindi. There are various trails thought-out the four sectors (Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and Nkuringo) and tourists can add nature walks t0 their gorilla trek. Nature walks help tourists to explore tree species, some primate species, butterflies, and even bird species. Learn about the most popular trails to take while in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Read More
Community Tourism
One of such popular community walks includes the Buhoma Village walk where tourists have a 3-hour cultural walk through the villages to see how the rural Ugandan household lives. Community tours are conducted with a tour guide (mostly a native from the village) who is very knowledgeable about the cultural values, customs and practices of the people. Here are the most popular community experiences. Read More
Things to See in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
There are different attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. From the rare mountain gorillas to chimpanzees, scenic water falls and more. Read More
Mountain Gorillas
The dense rain forest of Bwindi hosts the largest population of the mountain gorillas. It hosts almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Read More
Chimpanzees
There is a thriving population of chimpanzees in Bwindi Forest. Though these apes have not yet been habituated for tourism, there are chances to encounter them on a gorilla trek. Read More
There is an impressive list of over 350 species found in Bwindi Forest. These include localised birds that you cannot find elsewhere in Uganda. Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
We have tried to provide a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about gorilla tracking in Bwindi including practical advice on how to plan a perfect gorilla safari in Uganda. This guide is also helpful for visitors going gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in DR Congo.
Where Do Travelers Start their Trips?
There are four sectors where gorilla trekking is conducted in Bwindi. Visitors trek from a variety of start points that include Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma itself – dependent upon their allocated group from one of the 18 habituated gorilla families in the forest.
Before booking your accommodation ensure that your Destination Management Company has obtained gorilla permits from the specific sector.
How long does a Gorilla Trek?
Gorilla treks vary in length and therefore calls for physical demand. Clients are always allocated different families just ahead of their trek, according to the clients’ capabilities and requests.
What Activities Should I Engage in During My Visit?
It is important to support ecotourism in Bwindi and therefore visitors are encouraged to engage in other activities that can be done. Visitors should visit the Batwa Community, the amazing Bwindi Hospital, taking a nature walk to spot numerous colorful bird species etc.
What is the Success Rate of Meeting the Mountain Gorillas?
Well, most people think that there are slim chances of meeting the mountain gorillas in the wild! This is not true. There are 95% chances that you will meet the mountain gorillas on a single gorilla trek in Bwindi Forest. However, going on a gorilla trek twice is also a good idea – you are most likely to visit two different gorilla families and even go gorilla trekking in different regions of the forest. Read More
When is the Best Time to Go Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest can be done all year round. There are two most popular seasons when most travelers visit the endangered mountain gorillas; December – March and June – October. Please be in the know that if you are looking to traveling during these dates, you need to make your gorilla permit booking well in advance. Here is advice on how to book gorilla permits. Recommended time is at least 4 months before. For last minute checks, get in touch with one of the selected tour operators listed on this website.
We recommend you read the information on weather and climate of Bwindi to guide you in planning a gorilla trek.
What are the Cost and Tour Operators?
Gorilla Trekking does come at a price that is justifiable. Prior to 1990 when the first gorilla family has habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, gorilla trekking has been regulated and thus a gorilla permit comes at a price that aims at controlling the number of tourists visiting the park. The good news is that this protects the environment in which the gorillas live and the proceeds from gorilla tourism are used in protecting the mountain gorillas.
What Should I Pack for Gorilla Trekking?
The packing list for a gorilla trek includes a number of critical items. You need to plan a perfect gorilla safari including the relevant clothing, kit packing list, recommended pieces of gear as well as essentials for gorilla trekking.
Clothing: We provide detailed advice and recommendations on the type of clothing that you need including head gear, foot wear, gloves and more.
Essentials: Trekking poles, hiring porters, etc.
Book Your Tour to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Because you are reading this guide, you are most likely planning to go on a gorilla trek in Bwindi or visit the Bwindi National Park. Have you booked your gorilla permits yet? If not so, you can choose one of the packaged tours listed on this website. If you are looking to travel independently, you can also book a gorilla permit with one of the destination management companies listed here.
Get a Gorilla Trek Quote
We offer a few tours from selected tour operators in Uganda. Get a quote from one of the recommended tour operators listed on this website. Get a Quote.
Where to Stay
Would you like to go gorilla trekking in Uganda but wondering about where to stay? Are you looking for places where to stay? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the neighboring region feature numerous hotel and other lodging facilities. Lodging inside Bwindi is highly desirable but limited. Collectively, hotel and lodging options include budget, mid range and luxury lodges. There are also boutique, bandas, camping and more.
There are many accommodation facilities in the different sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Whichever sector you are tracking from, there are facilities that will always suite your demand. Check out the lodges in Buhoma and Ruhija in the north as well as Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south.
Some of the popular facilities include Silverback Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs in Buhoma sector, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill and Gorilla Valley in Rushaga sector, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and Nkuringo Safari Lodge in Nkuringo Sector, Bakiga Lodge, and Gorilla Friends Camp in Ruhija Sector. Find out the best places to stay in Bwindi including safari lodges, tented campsites, open camping and more. Read More
Bwindi Travel Planner
Getting There:
How to travel to Bwindi Forest from Kampala (Uganda) or Kigali (Rwanda). Bwindi Impenetrable National park can be accessed by both Air and Road transport. Learn about how you can get to Bwindi Forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Information – Overview, Climate, Geography, History and travel information for visitors.
Here are Frequently Asked Questions to guide you in planning your next safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
1. Where is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
2. Tourist Information Centres: Where do I enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
3. What is the Best Time to Visit Bwindi? Information on the best times to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park.
4. Where should we stay? There are several Hotels & Safari Lodges where to stay on a safari in Bwindi – From Luxury Hotels to Budget Accommodations. Find Reviews, Price comparisons, Gallery, Amenities, Booking Information and more.
5. Restaurants – An insider’s guide to the best places to eat in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, including fine dining restaurants, bars and top spots for lunch.
Featured Activity
Ride For a Woman – Go Mountain cycling for a Local Cause
The “Ride for a woman” is the most common community support project that offers mountain bikes and guided cycling to tourists who visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park especially in the Buhoma sector. The cycling trail starts from Buhoma up to Ivi River (for about 13 kilometers/6-7 hours)
Explore the spectacular hidden treasures of the Buniga Forest and its variety of wildlife, bird and plant species on this wonderful trail, done on the company of the local guides who have expert knowledge on their attractions within the area.
What is New?
Wondering about what is happening in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest? We bring to you latest news and updates from the forest. We also share travel tips and advice for travelers looking to explore Bwindi Forest in South Western Uganda.
Gorilla Habituation Experience: All You Need to Know
Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda
How Are Gorilla Permits Allocated in Africa
New Baby Gorilla Born in Bweza Family
Gorilla Habituation Vs Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
