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Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Undoubtedly Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most popular gorilla trekking destination globally and is the most popular national park in Uganda. Gorilla trekking is the primary reason why millions of tourists from all the world visit Uganda and is most popular safari activity to do in the country, having an encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a rare opportunity a few get a chance to experience. Gorilla trekking is also listed amount the best wildlife experiences in the world thus making Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the most popular and sought-after destination for any tourists on a Uganda Safari.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is rated as Africa’s best all-round gorilla tracking destinations, its densely forested slopes are home to 45% of the world’s mountain gorilla population and a total of 23 habituated groups meaning over 180 gorilla permits are available daily.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was established as a national park in 1991, because of its biological richness and significance, the park was gazetted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park protects 160 species of trees which is the highest diversity of tree species in East Africa, more than 100 species for ferns, over 347 species of forest birds and more than 200 species of butterflies.

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Location of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is nestled amidst the green slopes of Kigezi in the region known as the “Gorilla Highlands, in southwestern Uganda. The park stretches over three districts – Kanungu, Rubanda and Kisoro District.
Size of Bwindi Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers an area of 321 square kilometers, the formation of Bwindi was a result of merging three former protected areas that is the Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve, the Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve and the Rwenzori Mountains Reserve.
The Majestic Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are the draw card for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Uganda at large, these endangered species are only found in three countries in the whole world; Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain Gorilla live in two populations, one in the Virunga Mountains (The Virunga Conservation Area composed of Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda, Virunga National Park – DR.Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Uganda) and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The gorilla population in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is almost half of the world’s remaining population and Uganda has the biggest percentage of these surviving endangered apes in the world with over half of them found in Bwindi.
Did you know? – gorillas share 98% of the DNA with humans which makes them our closest living relatives and spending time with them is a truly humbling experience. On gorilla trekking experience, you will witness their complex social interactions and behaviors that seem so similar to our own.
By nature, mountain gorillas inhabit altitudes and bamboo-forested places.
Gorilla Families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Just like humans, mountain gorillas are social animals living in families with each family/group led by a male-dominate – The Silverback.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park consists of four gorilla trekking sectors that are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Each of these gorilla trekking sectors hosts its own habituated gorilla families as listed below.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a total of 18 habituated gorilla families open for gorilla trekking adventures, before being opened for gorilla trekking. These gorilla families were put under habituation process which lasted for 2-3 years to get them used to human presence.
Buhoma Sector Gorilla Groups
Buhoma Sector is located in the northern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with four habituated gorilla groups including the oldest gorilla group in the park – Mubara and the newest gorilla group – Katwe Gorilla Family. Gorilla Groups in Buhoma Sector include
- Muyambi (newest, 6 members),
- Katwe (8 members)
- Rushegura (18 members)
- Mubare (9 members)
- Habinyanza (14 members).
Nkuringo Sector Gorilla Groups
Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 3 habituated gorilla groups available for gorilla trekking and they include
- Nkuringo (13 members)
- Bushaho (8 members)
- Christmas (9 members)
- Bikingi (15 members)—still under habituation
Rushaga Sector Gorilla Groups
Rushaga Sector is located in the Southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is home to most of the gorilla families in Bwindi, they include
- Nshongi (9 members)
- Mishaya (12 members)
- Kahungye (17 members)
- Busingye (9 members)
- Mucunguzi (12 members)
- Bweza (12 members)
Ruhija Sector Gorilla Groups
Ruhija Sector is located in the Eastern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at an elevation of 2,350 above sea level, this sector is home three gorilla families.
- Bitukura (13 members)
- Oruzogo (17 members)
- Kyaguriri (20 members)
On gorilla trekking experience, only a group of 8 people is allowed to visit one gorilla group per day. This is done to prevent gorillas from getting too used to humans and also not to irritate them.
Note: Because of the variety of habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, no visitor has ever gone on a gorilla safari in Bwindi and missed to get a glimpse of the gorilla.
Wildlife of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park protects an exceptional biodiversity and is home to 120 mammal species, 348 bird species, 220 butterfly species, and 27 frog species among others.
Some of the notable wildlife species in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Forest elephants, yellow-backed duikers (small antelopes) chimpanzees (though these are rarely spotted), blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys (also called mountain monkeys), red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and black-and-white colobuses among others.
Birdlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is listed among the great birding destinations in Uganda, it is also an Important Birding Area in Africa with over 350 species of birds including 23 Albertine Rift endemics 14 of which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda.
Globally threatened species found in Bwindi include Grauer’s broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, and Shelley’s Crimson-wing. More species include; Handsome Francolin, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Black-billed Turaco, Fraser’s Eagle, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed, and Regal Sunbirds among others.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla trekking is the most famous and adventurous activity for most visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this thrilling activity is done in groups of 8 visitors per gorilla family per day.
The day of gorilla trekking in Bwindi begins very early in the morning with reporting to the park headquarters for briefing about what to expect in the forest, brief history of gorillas and the do’s and don’t’s while with the gorillas. You will be allocated a gorilla family to trek who will conduct this session, after that make your way deep into the bush to begin the activity.
Gorilla trekking is an unexpected adventure since the activity can take anywhere from 1 to 8 hours depending on where these gentle apes spent their previous night. On locating your gorilla family, you are only permitted to be in their presence for one hour after finding them, they will be eating, laughing and moving about. You are free to take as many photos and videos as you like as long as your flashlight of the camera is not permitted.
Best Time to Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Trek Mountain Gorillas?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is possible all year, however it is best to go during the dry season where there is less rain. During the rainy season you may be stopped by strong rains and the routes in the jungle are muddy and slippery making hiking difficult.
What is required to meet Gorillas?
To meet Bwindi mountain gorillas, a gorilla permit is required. A gorilla permit is the key for trekking gorillas and no one is permitted to hike without a gorilla permit.
In Bwindi, a gorilla permit consists US$ 800 per person and it can only be acquired through an authorized local tour operator.
In Uganda, gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority
How To Get To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Trek Mountain Gorillas
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the South-western region of Uganda and is accessible via road and air.
By Road – from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park it is a journey of approximately 8 to 9 hours along the Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara route. The Journey includes a stop at the equator and lunch in Mbarara along the way.
By Air – Private Charters are available from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to either Kisoro Airstrip or Kihihi Airstrip.
Traveling from Kigali, Rwanda
It is possible to travel from Kigali City – the capital of Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, tourists have to fly into Kigali and then drive north to Bwindi. There are a couple of routes you can drive, the fastest is to drive straight north to Kabale, a town in South Uganda. The drive takes under three hours and there is a bus service covering the route. From Kabale, it takes about an hour drive to reach the eastern tip of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on your Gorilla Safari Trip
There are several accommodation options found in the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, these safari lodges and camps to luxury to high-end and they include
Buhoma Sector
- Buhoma Lodge
- Bwindi Lodge
- Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge
- Mahogany Springs
- Silverback Lodge
Rushaga Sector
- Four Gorillas Lodge
- Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Nkuringo Sector
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
On gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you stay is important that is why we advise you to stay close to the headquarters of the sector you are gorilla to do gorilla trekking.