Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Home to roughly half of the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas, making it the premier destination for gorilla trekking
Introducing: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth. Its dense, ancient rainforest is famously home to roughly half of the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas, making it the premier destination for gorilla trekking. The park is divided into four sectors: Buhoma (north), Ruhija (east), Nkuringo (south), and Rushaga (south). Each sector has habituated gorilla families that can be visited by small groups of tourists daily. The experience involves trekking through dense forest, often on challenging terrain, to find a gorilla family and spend a precious hour observing them in their natural habitat. It's an incredibly moving and unforgettable encounter. Beyond gorillas, Bwindi is a biodiversity hotspot. Its "impenetrable" forest lives up to its name, being one of the oldest and most biologically rich forests in Africa.
Experience the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s main gorilla trekking destination and a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is home to 460 mountain gorillas, which is some 43% of the global population. Roughly 300 of Bwindi’s gorillas, split across more than 25 family groups, have been habituated to tourist visits. The park is also rewarding for bird-watchers, with 23 Albertine Rift endemics listed among the 350 recorded species. At least 10 primate species occur in Bwindi, including mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, olive baboon, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkey and L’Hoest’s monkey. The only representative of the Big Five is a population of seldom-seen elephants (DNA analysis of spoor indicates they are mostly critically endangered forest elephants). Bushbuck and various forest duikers can sometimes be spotted. Bwindi has very impressive bird and butterfly checklists. Another special is the 30cm/1ft-long Rwenzori three-horned chameleon, a striking Albertine Rift endemic.
Gorillas at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 
Baby Gorilla at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Locate the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Wildlife
Bwindi is home to half the world’s remaining population of critically endangered mountain gorilla. Out of these, several families have become habituated to humans, allowing small groups of people to track them and spend an hour in their company. The gorillas remain wild and the interaction takes place under the careful eyes of highly trained trackers. As gorillas are susceptible to human disease, the health restrictions for visitors are stringent. Due to the rugged terrain, only those older than 15 years are allowed to track. A day of gorilla trekking begins early, departing from your lodge with the dawn. The guides will meet and brief groups of visitors at the gathering point before setting off. The walk can be challenging, especially during Uganda’s two rainy seasons, which are from March to May and then again in November and December. Depending on where the gorillas were last seen, the trek can take anywhere between 40 minutes to six hours spent making your way through the tranquil green undergrowth that covers the mountain slopes, with several quiet encounters with the other denizens of the park en route. When the gorillas emerge from the foliage, time stands still as you enjoy their company for an hour. There is something deeply moving about being in the presence of these regal creatures.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Birdlife
Bwindi forest has 346 species of birds and contains 90% of all Albertine rift endemics. Experienced birdwatchers can spot 100 species of birds per day. Visit Ruhija and Buhoma for good bird views. There are over 200 species of butter flies in Bwindi forest national park. Tourists can not only visit Bwindi for Mountain Gorillas but the place is also a bird watchers haven. The forest holds 76 of the 144 Guinea Congo biome bird species found in Uganda and are seen in the northern area. The area also qualifies for the afro Tropical highland biome bird species with actually 68 of the total 86, and for Lake Victoria- biome with 4 of the 12 species. This national park is gifted with 90% of the Albertine Rift endemics that are not so easy to spot in other areas of East Africa and 7 IUCN red data listed bird species. A skilled birder watcher can identify more than 100 species in a day session of birding.
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How to reach us
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