Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Voyage Tips and guide

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in Western Uganda. Bwindi forest is the most popular national park in Uganda. It is famous for viewing mountain gorillas in the wild. The park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

There are four main points for viewing mountain gorillas: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. All the four sectors offer similar opportunities to see the gorillas in their natural habitat. To see the mountain gorillas, you must obtain a gorilla permit. Permits must be obtained from the UWA office in Kampala and as of Jan 2024 the cost for the gorilla permit is US$800 for foreign tourists. Apart from popular gorilla treks, Bwindi is also famous for hiking, bird watching and cultural tours that focus on experiencing the lifestyle of Batwa people who used to live in the forest. The park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices and tourism is highly regulated with a carrying capacity of only 8 tourists being allowed to visit a gorilla family per day.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sits within one of Africa’s oldest surviving forests. Scientists estimate that parts of the forest are over 25,000 years old, making it a refuge that persisted even during the driest climatic periods in East African history. Because of its age and stability, Bwindi became a sanctuary for an extraordinary variety of plants and animals that could not survive elsewhere, which explains the extremely high biodiversity the park is known for today. For thousands of years, the forest was also home to the Batwa people, a hunter-gatherer community who relied on its resources for food, shelter, medicine, and spiritual practices.

Formal protection of the area began during the British colonial period. In 1932, the northern part of the forest was designated the Kayonza Crown Forest Reserve, followed by the creation of the Kasatora Crown Forest Reserve in the south in 1942. These reserves were established mainly for timber management rather than wildlife conservation, but the forest’s steep terrain and dense vegetation made large-scale logging difficult and helped preserve much of its natural character.

By the 1960s and 1970s, researchers had begun to recognize the international significance of Bwindi, especially as a habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. In 1964, the two reserves were merged to form the Impenetrable Forest Reserve, with a stronger focus on conservation. Over the following decades, gorilla research intensified, and growing concerns about poaching, deforestation, and political instability highlighted the urgency of protecting the ecosystem.

A major turning point came in 1991, when the Ugandan government upgraded the area to full national park status and created Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The move aimed to safeguard the mountain gorilla population, protect the forest’s biodiversity, and promote eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative to habitat destruction. However, the creation of the park also displaced the Batwa people, who were evicted from the forest without compensation. Their exclusion remains one of the most sensitive social issues linked to conservation in the region, and efforts to support Batwa communities through tourism and cultural programs are ongoing.

In 1994, Bwindi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its unparalleled biological richness and crucial role in the survival of the mountain gorilla. This designation brought global attention to the park and helped secure funding for conservation, community development, and anti-poaching patrols. Over time, gorilla trekking emerged as one of Uganda’s most valuable tourism activities, with permit revenues shared with local villages to encourage community support for wildlife protection.

In recent years, Bwindi has continued to strengthen its conservation programs. Scientific monitoring of gorilla families has expanded, community-based tourism initiatives have grown, and cross-border cooperation with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has improved the outlook for the species. While challenges remain—particularly around land pressure and Batwa rights—Bwindi is widely regarded as one of Africa’s great conservation success stories and a model for how wildlife tourism can contribute to both local livelihoods and long-term ecological protection.

High altitude, mountainous, with deep valleys. Bwindi Forest is the last remaining piece of primary forest in the area, all the surroundings have been almost completely deforested, and even small pockets of forest are still being cut.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Africa’s richest and most biologically diverse forests, earning its UNESCO World Heritage Site status through its extraordinary ecological importance. It lies at the junction of the East African montane forests and the lowland rainforests, creating a unique habitat with remarkable species density.

Bwindi is dominated by ancient montane and lowland rainforest, some of which is believed to be more than 25,000 years old. The park’s altitude ranges from 1,160–2,607 m, resulting in distinct vegetation zones:

• Montane rainforest at higher elevations, characterized by dense undergrowth, lianas, epiphytes, and tall canopy trees.
• Mixed lowland forest on the lower slopes, providing lush habitat for various primates and birds.
• Bamboo and afro-montane vegetation on ridge tops and cooler slopes.

Notable plant species include:

• Towering red stinkwood (Prunus africana), a valuable medicinal tree.
• Newtonia buchananii, one of the forest’s dominant canopy species.
• Giant tree ferns, adding a prehistoric feel to deep valleys and riverbeds.
• Over 200 species of tree and more than 1,000 flowering plants, including orchids, epiphytic mosses, and rare ferns.
• Several medicinal and culturally significant plants used by local Batwa and Bakiga communities.

The forest is exceptionally dense—the term “Impenetrable” is a literal description of the thick vines, shrubs, and understory that characterize much of the park.

Bwindi is internationally renowned for its mountain gorillas, but the park hosts a far greater array of wildlife. With over 120 mammals, 350+ bird species, 200+ butterfly species, and many reptiles and amphibians, it is one of East Africa’s top biodiversity hotspots.[1]

Bwindi is one of only four places on Earth where mountain gorillas live. Nearly half of the world’s remaining population resides within the park.

Primates found here include:

• Mountain gorillas (the park’s main attraction; over 20 habituated families)
• Chimpanzees
• L’Hoest’s monkeys
• Blue monkeys
• Red-tailed monkeys
• Black-and-white colobus monkeys
• Vervet monkeys
• Olive baboons

Besides primates, Bwindi shelters a surprising mix of forest and savanna species:

• Forest elephants (rare and very shy)
• Forest buffalo
• Giant forest hogs
• Bushbucks and sitatungas
• Golden cats and African civets
• Servals
• Clawless otters
• Side-striped jackals
• Various species of duikers, including the black-fronted duiker

Nocturnal mammals, such as bushbabies and pangolins, also occur but are seldom seen.

Bwindi is a dream destination for birdwatchers, boasting over 350 species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics — species found nowhere else in the world.

Notable birds include:

• African green broadbill (extremely rare and a major draw for birders)
• Grauer’s swamp warbler
• Shelley’s crimsonwing
• Handsome francolin
• Rwenzori batis
• Yellow-eyed black flycatcher
• Western green tinkerbird
• Regal sunbird
• Purple-breasted sunbird
• Cinnamon-chested bee-eater
• Great blue turaco

Bwindi is consistently ranked among Africa’s top birding destinations.

The park contains more than 200 species of butterfly, including several endemic and rare species. Reptiles and amphibians thrive in the humid undergrowth:

• Chameleons
• Tree frogs
• Forest geckos
• African clawed frogs

The dense vegetation and limited sunlight on the forest floor support many moisture-loving species.[2]

The climate varies: Uganda is wet most of the year, with dry periods from June to August. It can be a scorching 30 °C, or a chilly 9 °C, depending on the weather. If you go gorilla tracking, be sure to bring a sweater, at least 2.5 l of water, long-sleeved t-shirt/trousers, a hat, rain-clothing and decent hiking boots. The tracking takes you through the dense rainforest, where you go up and down steep hills, often with no visible path. If it rains, it will be extremely muddy; if it's dry and the sun is out, you will need a lot of water. Bring insect repellent for the mosquitoes, and consult your doctor for vaccinations and malaria pills for surrounding regions. There is no risk of malaria in Buhoma, Nkoringo and Bwindi Forest: due to the altitude there are no mosquitoes.

Getting into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park requires a permit - the best place to get that is from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). They have an office in Kampala, on Kiira Road. Tour operators can also make reservations, but you only pay on arrival. There is no point in going to Bwindi without a permit, as you will be refused entrance.

The best way to get there is to get a bus from Kampala - the daily Post Bus takes about 8 hours from Kampala to Kabale, a nearby city with several hotels and hostels. From there you can arrange private transportation, for which you have to reserve another day of travel - leave early in the morning; you'll need to get transportation to Butogota, and from there to Buhoma, where hotels are available only a short walk from the starting point of the UWA gorilla tracking.

There is also a bus that goes straight from Kampala to Butogota, which is only a short ride from Buhoma. It leaves early in the morning (around 6AM), and may leave earlier than expected if it is full. Bus schedules and prices are not published, and different bus companies compete for your business, so find someone you trust to guide you to the appropriate bus terminal (there are several). For the return trip, there is also a bus from Butogota to Kampala. Some buses depart in the morning, and others are overnight, departing in the evening.

You can also fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Entebbe International Airport, Kajjansi Airfield and Murchison Falls National Park. These flights land at Kihihi Airstrip for the fastest access to the Buhoma or Ruhija tracking points and Kisoro Airstrip for Nkuringo or Rushaga tracking points. Flights can be arranged through Savannah Wings and Aerolink.

As of Apr 2024 the cost for the gorilla permit is US$800 for foreign tourists, though it is worth it as it is an unbelievable experience. The UWA accepts only cash for payment. This may require some planning, as the amount is more than you can normally withdraw from an ATM. Barclays Bank in Kampala will do cash advances. Reservations may need to be made long in advance during the peak season, but could be available the day before during the rainy season, or if you're lucky and there was a cancellation.

The roads in Uganda are bad - you will redefine your idea of what is a 'good road' after a visit. Paved roads are few and far between. If you can rent a car, be prepared for a bumpy ride (and make sure you have a spare). You can hire a ride on a 'bodaboda' - a motorcycle with a passenger seat, but beware that many (fatal) traffic accidents involve bodabodas. You can also get a 'private hire' - which is often very expensive, or get a ride in the back of a pick-up - which you will have to share with enough people to make standing up the only option. On these roads, that is only fun for so long, but it is cheap and a common method of transportation. If you catch a ride on a bus, beware that because of bad roads, vomiting fellow passengers are more rule than exception: store your luggage safely. Any vehicle can get stuck in the mud, including buses, and your trip may be delayed.

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Gorilla tracking - the main activity here. It is expensive, but it is worth it. There are several different groups of gorilla's, with group H being the largest. Inform yourself which of the groups are normally quite close to the camp and which more far away. For the groups close to the camp is it normally quite easy to get permits; the further away ones are more popular due to the nice walk through the rain forest. Tracking can take from anywhere between 15 minutes to a full day, depending on where the gorillas are. They move often and far - one group of tourists can be back at the UWA camp within two hours on one day, while the next day, tracking the same group of gorillas can keep you walking until night falls. There is no way to say how easy or difficult it will be - elderly people should carefully consider how fit they are and how long they are willing to hike and climb: paths can be so steep you have to hold on to bushes and grass to prevent you from slipping, and climbing a hill can require hands and feet. There are no 'exits' while trekking, no shortcuts back home. Beware that refunds are only given in extraordinary circumstances (no gorillas seen, which is unusual), and are only partially.

Registration for tracking starts at 8:30AM, briefing is at 9AM. The trackers leave before that, and will communicate with your guides to let them know if and where they have found the gorillas. After getting there, you will have a maximum of 1 hour near the gorillas. You can get within several meters of them, but you can be instructed to move further away should the gorillas get restless. Considering the terrain, it is not always possible to get this close, so bring a camera with a zoom lens, and remember the use of flash is not allowed. While in the rainforest, you are also asked to keep your voices down.

Should you be ill or have a cold, do remember that you may be refused participation. Since gorillas are genetically so close to humans, they are susceptible to many of the same diseases. As there are only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the world, their safety comes first.

Hiking in the area. Walk from Buhoma to Nkuringo (5 hours walk, through Bwindi forest, guide required, and permits). Walk from Nkoringo to Lake Mutanda (3 hours walk) (one lodge to stay in on the lake) (dug-out canoe with boatman needed to cross the lake, 3 hours, gorgeous scenery, check the weather isn't stormy) to Kisoro (one hour from lakeside). No guide required for the walk from Nkoringo to Kisoro, plenty of people around to ask the way, porters available in Nkoringo village. In 2010, the local trekking company was running a scam of overcharging customers for services and accommodation, doubling prices, the guide was a superfluous 'middle man', whereas the porter knews the way and offered a genuine service. From Kisoro you can take transport to Mgahinga National Park to climb any of the three volcanoes.

• The Gorilla Resort, Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (next to the park), ☏ +256 39 3288667. This intimate, exclusive, high-end safari camp with a breath-taking view of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located at Buhoma - Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla National Park on a mountain side. The camp has been constructed and built to the highest standards whilst retaining sympathy with the local surroundings. US$375 per person per night. 

• Karungi Camp, Muko-Ruguburi Road Ruguburi Town Kisoro District, ☏ +256 (779) 806 583. close to Rushaga (20 min drive) and Nkuringo (45 min drive). Single US$40, double US$60, camping US$40. Able to assist with permit. (updated Jun 2019)

There are several lodging options in Bwindi. The lodging options in Bwindi are classified as basic, budget, midrange and luxury lodges. Within each of the four sectors, there are several lodges that fall in each category to suit interests of different travelers.

You can stay inside the UGA quarters which offers 2 reasonable accommodation lodges, with hot water, decent breakfast and they prepare a nice lunch pack to take to the gorilla trekking. The whole point is leave the money in the community and preserve the region.

It is important to book a lodge that corresponds with the sector where you booked the gorilla permit.

Camping is not allowed within the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You can book camping at selected lodges that are close to the park.

Though Bwindi is relatively safe, kidnappings are rare but do happen. For an idea of the risk of visiting places in Uganda (piratically by the ""Democratic Republic of Congo"" border), see the documentary about Mark Ross and his struggle against the Interhamwe on the Locked Up Abroad: Uganda episode.