Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ‘’The Ultimate Gorilla Experience’’ is one of the most bio-diverse forests in Africa with one of the best ecosystems on the continent. It lies in the southwestern part of Uganda on the edge of the rift valley.

It is famously known as a home of mountain Gorillas and Gorilla tracking is the main activity in this place. The park shelters over 400 mountain Gorillas but there are also many other mammals like Black and white colombus, Bush pigs, Giant forest hogs, Vervet monkeys, Baboons and many others. There are also bird species in the park.

Activities that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known for?

Gorilla tracking

The main activity in the park is Gorilla tracking with over 400 gorillas with different Gorilla families, more Gorilla families have been habituated for visitors. Each day 2 Gorilla groups are accessible for tourists to see and 100 daily gorilla permits are available in the park.

Gorilla habituation experience

Its only in Uganda where you can be with mountain gorillas for over 4 hours on a gorilla habituation experience along with researchers, in this experience you come to understand Gorillas deeper, know there ways of living, sex, age and names.

There are 2 gorilla groups being habituated meaning they become used to human contact. This is only done in Rushaga sector.

Batwa experience

Batwa are pygmies who were first inhabitants of the years, they lived in harmony with nature and left a small ecological footprint in the forest, they were hunter gatherers, existed as beggars, accused of being drunkards, lazy people, marijuana smoking, had no voice and no representative.

So this experience gives you a lesson about their ways of living and keeps their cultural practices alive and passed on to future generations.

Hike through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

A hike in Bwindi is done in  north of Bwindi to south with the help of the guide, one can stay overnight and continue the next day to lake Mutanda where you come across in a wooden dugout and continue to Kisoro town.

Mountain ride bike

Mountain Biking around and in the Buhoma area is offered by ‘’Ride 4 a Woman’’a self-help group that guide you on a biking trip through the forest, handle the rentals, repair and keep up the Bikes in safe and good running condition

One can also do a village ride bike where you can see the beauty of the park in all corners. This can be done with or without a guide.

Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Mahogany springs lodge; the lodge is located besides the Munyanga River and surrounded by the impenetrable forest. It offers high end luxurious experience with a variety of rooms that’s double, twin and triple built with large glass doors. The lodge has trained high standard staff with excellent customer service and hospitality.
• Volcanoes Bwindi lodge; The ensuite rooms reflect the local building style and provide luxury in an eco-sensitive way.

Guests can enjoy delicious meals and and evening drink at the cosy bar and dining area, which overlooks the forested slopes, or relax by the fire in the lounge and share exciting gorilla tracking adventures with other guests.

• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp; It is also located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, only five minutes from the trailhead headquarters in Buhoma sector the most visited gorilla destination in Bwindi.

Around Sanctuary camp, there are 8 private tented cabins, every cabin is elevated on a wooden platform. Two queen-sized beds, a viewing terrace, and an attached bathroom are included in each cottage. A lounge area with a dining area and a bar is located in the main lodge building.

The lodge provides spa services, such as massages. The meal is consistently delicious, the service is first-rate, and there is a daily laundry service.

• Gorilla Heights Lodge; this is a luxury lodge located in Nkuringo sector with 15 elegant cottages with well furnished rooms decorated with private en suite facilities like flushing toilets, hot and cold shower, Tvs, chair e.t.c They also have well trained staff, nice restaurant with delicious meals.
• Buhoma lodge; Buhoma Lodge is eco friendly and has been constructed using sustainable local materials where possible and uses solar power. Each chalet has a private verandah and enormous windows, giving spectacular views of the forest canopy. Awaken to chattering forest birds, and the occasional screech of a monkey.

It has an open-air lounge and bar area with uninterrupted views, Buhoma offers its own special magic. After a hard day tracking gorillas, relax around the open fireside, or enjoy a few drinks at the bar. The multi-course meals are freshly prepared from local produce, ensuring you take away warm homely memories of your time.

• Bakiga lodge; Bakiga Lodge is a wonderful accommodation for visitors looking for a real african experience with amazing views of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It is a high quality african eco lodge, situated in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi national park, just a 10-minute drive from the Ruhija Gorilla Tracking meeting point.

The Lodge offers 10 spacious cabins, all self-contained with ensuite bathrooms. All cabins have private balconies with spectacular views of the forest. WIFI internet is available at the lodge.

• Ride 4 a woman; The lodge is situated in Buhoma and it is 17 kilometers from kanungu town Centre. It features a restaurant, 24 hour front desk, well stocked bar, room service is available and guest terrace. It features free parking space for guests, free WIFI internet and the guest house offers bike to guests to enjoy cycling in the surrounding areas.

Location of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern region of Uganda on the edge of the Albertine rift valley near the boarder of Democratic republic of Congo. It is approximately 331 square kilometers and accessed only on foot.

Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is between June and August, and then again in December through to February. These are the driest months, when the trekking trails are less slippery with the best chance of sunny skies and clear days perfect for wildlife viewing.

What to pack when visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Since the Southwestern Uganda is cold visitors/travelers should pack warm jackets or sweaters.
• Never forget hiking boots. These will help on steep mountainous terrain between 2400 to 4500 meters above sea level and thick vegetation
• Pack long sleeved shirts since you have to maneuver thick canopies, insects, branches and many things that can hurt your arms.
• Rain jacket is a must since it can easily start raining in the middle of the jungle because rain is unpredictable.
• Pack sun screen which will help you when the sunlight is too much.
• Visitors need cameras to take pictures plus extra batteries and lenses.
• Travelers need to pack enough drinking water and packed lunch because there is no restaurant in the jungle yet you might get hungry and thirsty while tracking.
• Have long trousers which will protect your legs against thick undergrowth forests and thorns.

Age limit for Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is strictly restricted to 15 years and above mainly because of the mountainous terrain which makes it very difficult for the young ones to undertake the trek because the trek is ascending right from the start.

How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The park can be reached from Kampala via Mbarara (9–10 hours) by road. The park can also be accessed by air from Entebbe or Kampala (Kajjansi air field) to the tarmac airstrip at Kisoro. Bwindi is well served by three airstrips Kayonza, Kihihi and Nyakabande.