Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Mountain Gorilla Facts

About 400 mountain gorillas, or half of the world’s remaining wild population, are protected in Uganda’s most enticing natural resource, the lush, mountainous forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in the country’s southwest. In the southwest of Uganda lies a national park called Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Situated near the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the Albertine Rift, it is a section of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Only foot travel is required to access its 321 km³ (124 sq mi) of montane and lowland forest. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
With more than 1,000 flowering plant species, including 200 tree species and 104 fern species, the park is home to one of the most diverse floral collections in all of East Africa.

Over 100 of these majestic apes have become accustomed to Bwindi, Uganda’s most famous tourist attraction. Tracking these apes requires an exciting journey through a misty tropical jungle on mountainous tracks. Along the route, there are 120 more mammals to see, such as olive baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, rare l’Hoest monkeys, bushbucks, and forest duikers. There are also incredibly many bird species and 220 species of butterflies, as well as rarely seen forest elephants, which is a very fortunate sighting.

One of the best experiences Uganda has to offer is visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park primarily to witness a bunch of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. There are two ways to meet our big ape cousins in person: most tourists choose the traditional gorilla trekking route, which costs US$600 per person and entails hiking to a designated habituated troop. After that, you can watch the gorillas for an hour while they feed, play, and groom themselves before making your way back through the park. The second choice is the gorilla habituation experience, which costs $1,500 per person and entails spending four hours with a gorilla group that is being trained to get used to spending time with humans.
Bwindi is home to more than simply gorillas; with over 350 bird species and 120 mammal species, the magnificent jungle is incredibly diverse. You can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to the majority of the day on guided hikes to learn more about the forest and its inhabitants. To go on treks in the forest and see species like Elliot’s woodpecker, blue turaco, red-tailed bulbul, and black bee-eater, birdwatchers can hire park guides with birding expertise.

You must reserve a permit to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi, which we will take care of for you at the time of booking. Since there are only a few permits issued daily and they all get booked up during the peak months of the year (June to August, as well as December to February), it is best to arrange the permit five or six months in advance of your visit. Discounted permits are available from March to May and from September to November when the rainy season occurs.
In Bwindi, gorilla tracking is possible all year round, though most visitors opt to go during the driest months, which are June to August and December to February. The muddy, slick paths make trekking more difficult during the rainy months.

Gorilla trekking ( Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Uganda)

It can take practically from an hour to a whole day to track gorillas; the usual hiking duration is three to seven hours. Gorilla tracking is a physically hard activity. You may need to divert off the designated path and make your way through the deep forest vegetation because the park’s paths are steep, sloppy, and occasionally very muddy. You must wear appropriate clothing and footwear, such as long pants to defend against stinging nettles, thick socks to ward off biting ants, and a sturdy waterproof jacket. You should also be in good physical shape. To shield themselves against nettles, some individuals also use gardening gloves.

You can borrow a stick from the porters if you don’t have your hiking sticks; it will be quite helpful in keeping you upright in steep and slick areas.
If you are travelling with a family, you must be older than 15 to go gorilla tracking. On the day of your hiking adventure, if you’re feeling under the weather, you should offer to stay behind. Gorillas can contract human diseases, which can be fatal to a group as a whole. When you interact with gorillas, there are several guidelines that you must abide by. You must do so out of respect for these untamed creatures.

Before you begin your journey, your guide will go through every rule and regulation. However, keep in mind that you should never approach gorillas and that you should maintain a minimum distance of seven meters from them. Avoid using flash photography, eating or drinking in front of the gorillas, speaking loudly, covering your mouth and nose when you need to sneeze, and turning away from them.

Here are some tips and guidelines to keep in mind when embarking on a gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

1. Consider hiring a porter to carry your pack up steep inclines. This not only supports sustainable employment in the community but can also be a great help.
2. Show respect to the gorillas by remaining silent and submissive when in their presence. Follow your guide’s instructions calmly, and the gorillas will likely be unperturbed by your presence.
3. Ensure that you bring enough water and snacks, as treks can take several hours. While accommodations usually provide these, it may be worthwhile to bring your energy treats.
4. Consider booking the gorilla habituation experience in advance. This allows you to spend up to four hours with researchers and the Uganda Wildlife Authority as they follow a gorilla family group and get to know the dynamics.
5. For photographers, consider using a mid-zoom lens such as a 24-70mm, as long lenses can be heavy and impractical. Flash photography is not allowed, and keeping your camera in a waterproof bag can protect it from the elements.
6. If you find the terrain too challenging, consider booking a local stretcher or sedan chair in advance at an additional cost.
7. Don’t forget to charge your battery before setting out.

Things to Do in the Impenetrable Bwindi National Park

1. Gorillas Trekking

Almost every traveller’s goal is to go on a gorilla-trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which some have called the greatest wildlife experience on earth. It is an amazing experience to watch mountain gorillas up close in their natural environment. Witnessing the strength and tenderness of the silverbacks, as well as the humorous demeanour of the young and pregnant females, leaves a lasting impression. Every day at 8 AM, groups of no more than eight tourists go out on a gorilla trek into the enigmatic jungle that is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

The walk is led by knowledgeable rangers and a skilled group of advanced trackers. This can take one to eight hours, depending on the gorillas’ whereabouts on any given day. Along the route, there are chances to witness a variety of different wildlife and plant species, culminating in an amazing 60 minutes spent with one of our habituated mountain gorilla groups. A gorilla permit is required for any tourist travelling on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi.

2. Habituation of Gorillas

The habituation experience, in contrast to gorilla tracking, follows a family as they get used to having tourists visit them. To ensure the families’ safety and lower their shyness, they must become accustomed to having tourists visit them. Due to habituation, a maximum of 4 tourists will be able to spend 4 hours (or more) with the gorilla family while our team of researchers and rangers takes care of the family daily. A gorilla habituation permit is required for all visitors to Bwindi participating in the gorilla experience. Learn more about the dos and don’ts for this activity as well as our booking policies.

3. Nature Walk

Tours of Bwindi’s guided nature walks take visitors to some of the park’s serene streams and breathtaking waterfalls, where they may take in the diversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also species of butterflies and other insects, birds, primates, and plants that can be seen. Travelers can see some of the park’s other animals, which adds to the allure of birding safaris in Uganda and Bwindi.

4. Birdwatching

At least 23 Albertine Rift endemics can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is a favourite destination for birdwatchers with over 351 bird species. In addition to being thrilling because of the rare bird species that can be seen there, birding in Bwindi is satisfying because of the diversity of birds that can be seen on a single day’s outing.

5. Visits to Communities

Adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are the Bakiga and Batwa tribes, two intriguing ethnic groups with distinct customs. Visiting the local ironsmith, going to a crafts village, meeting the traditional leader who specializes in healing remedies that have been used by the people for centuries. Visiting a local women’s group to find out how gorilla tourism affects their lives and taking part in traditional dances or skits are just a few examples of cultural tours. Community adventures are a perfect way to round off an incredible experience with our impenetrable forest’s big apes. They can be held the day before or after your gorilla trek.

​Best Time To Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Although you may go gorilla trekking in Bwindi year-round, the best months to visit are June through August and December through February. The forest trails are less slick during certain times of the year because they are drier. Additionally, there’s a greater likelihood of seeing dry gorillas during these months. This could make photography easier and lead to a better experience.

Excellent Period: June through August and December through February (Easier mountain gorilla trekking on drier trails)
Peak Season: June through September (permits for gorillas must be reserved well in advance, year-round)
Low Period: March (certain lodges and camps close) April, May, October, and November June to July and December to February have the best weather (little rainfall)
The Worst Weather: April, May, and September through November (heavy precipitation, sometimes muddy and difficult-to-use forest pathways)