FAQs

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the only 4 national parks home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the world, other national parks include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo.

Bwindi Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest forests with a diverse biodiversity with various species which include 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths and 120 mammals, the park is also home to several primates including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkey and the major one the Mountain Gorillas.

The global population of mountain gorillas is 1064 individuals and half of these can be found in Bwindi forest, the park has over 15 habituated gorilla family groups open for gorilla tracking with 8 gorilla permits allocated to each group per day.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest is done in 4 sectors which include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi and Ruhija sector in the North Eastern part of Bwindi both sectors are located close to Queen Elizabeth National Park making it easy to combine gorilla safaris in Uganda with wildlife tours if you are trekking at these sectors.

In the southern Part of Bwindi it is where Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are located close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking and Golden monkey tracking.

Each sector has different habituated mountain gorilla families open for gorilla trekking with Rushaga sector having many families compared to other sectors.

Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi forest is done in the southern part of Bwindi at Rushaga sector and areas between Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. With this if you are interested in doing the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi you are required to stay in lodges in the south at either Nkuringo or Rushaga.

The gorilla habituation experience involves walking/hiking through Bwindi forest to search for semi habituated mountain gorillas and once you find them you will spend 4 hours encounter with them as you participate in activities geared to make these mountain gorillas get used to human presence so that they can be trekked normally after a given period of time.

The experience gives you an opportunity to spend more hours with mountain gorillas that is 4 hours compared to one hour during normal tracking. Gorilla habituation is always on high demand given they are only 4 permits available per day and tracking is only done by 4 people per day so it is recommended you book your permit atleast 2-3 months in advance.

A Gorilla Habituation permit costs USD1500 per person per trek for Non foreign residents, USD1000 for Foreign Residents and USD220 for East African Citizens.

The best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is during the drier months. The peak months are December to February, June to October. Traveling during the peak months makes it easier to for travelers to hike through the park. The dry season gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.

By Road; This will depend on which sector you will be doing your gorilla trek in Bwindi Forest; Bwindi can be accessed through the main high-way road from Entebbe/Kampala which approximately 8-9 hours drive. The northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma can  be accessed by turning off along the Kabale-Kisoro road you will see the sign posted of Uganda Wildlife Authority which you will follow up to the designated sector for your trek. The southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads can be reached using the road turning off at Muko along Kabale-Kisoro High way.

By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo and then to Kihihi airstrip for the northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to your Lodge you are booked for your stay.

Yes, there are set measures that you have to observe at all time while on gorilla trek and they include among others-only an hour of face to face encounter with gorillas, only 8 visitors per gorilla group, maintaining a distance of 7 meters at all times away from gorillas, no flashlight camera is allowed during gorilla trekking, no tracking gorillas if you are ill, only persons above 15 years are allowed to track gorillas and many others that will be briefed to you at the park headquarters.

Wondering about where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park? There is plenty of places where you can enjoy an overnight stay. These lodges are commonly classified as budget, mid range and high end safari lodges.

Mountain gorillas are generally calm, humble and gentle but like other creatures when irritated they can charge against you and even cause harm. Because of this, all trekkers are encouraged to always observe the set rules and regulations for gorilla trekking.

When it comes to gorilla trekking not every gear is needed but you have to pack appropriately starting with essentials first. The key items for you to consider on your packing list include long sleeved shirt/t-shirts, water proof hiking boots, sweater, rain jacket or poncho, day pack, energy giving snacks, bottled water, insect repellents, first aid kit a mention but a few.