Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and covers 321 square kilometers of lowland and montane forests. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bwindi is home to half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas. It also has 351 species of birds, 23 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift, 120 species of mammals, 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, 1,000 flowering plants, 104 species of ferns, and 163 species of trees.
This article highlights some of the best tour and travel companies for Bwindi, park entry fees, the history of the park, location, best time to visit, accommodation, animals, birding, activities, gorilla permits, and a packing list. You can see the recommended list of Bwindi tour and travel companies for your next gorilla trekking safari.
List of Bwindi Tour Operators
Searching for top Bwindi Impenetrable National Park tour operators? We present a list of trusted travel agents and safari companies to Bwindi.
See recommended list of Bwindi tour operators here.
There is also a more specific list of recommended gorilla trekking companies, luxury gorilla tour operators, and budget gorilla tour operators you may want to check out.
We only recommend tour companies we have personally traveled with. We have trekked with all the safari companies listed, and we highly recommend their services. We am not affiliated with any of them but created this list to make your planning easier, since searching online for reliable companies can sometimes be difficult.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Gorilla trekking is the main activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It starts early in the morning and can take 2 to 7 hours depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family you are tracking. Once a gorilla family is found, visitors are allowed 1 hour to observe, take photos, and enjoy the experience.
Besides trekking, Bwindi is the only place in the world where gorilla habituation is done. Habituation is the process of making gorillas get used to human presence. This process takes 2–3 years until researchers and rangers confirm that a gorilla group is ready for tourism. Gorillas must pass a “mocking exercise” before they are opened to tourists. Habituation is only carried out in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi.
Bwindi Gorilla Permits
Since July 2024, gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi cost USD 800 per person per trek. Gorilla habituation permits cost USD 1500 per person. Permits should always be booked 3–6 months in advance, especially during the high season, to avoid missing out.
Bwindi Park Entry Fees
- Foreign non-residents: USD 40
- Foreign residents: USD 30
- East African citizens: 20,000 UGX
- Pupils: 3,000 UGX
- Students: 5,000 UGX
Annual entry passes:
- Foreign resident: USD 350
- East African citizen: 150,000 UGX
- Foreign resident couple: USD 500
- East African couple: 200,000 UGX
- Foreign resident family (max 4 people): USD 700
- East African family (max 4 people): 300,000 UGX
- Corporate pass: USD 1,500 (foreign residents) / 2,500,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Safari guides/taxi drivers: 100,000 UGX annually
- Foreign tour operators: USD 50
- East African tour operators: 125,000 UGX
Vehicle and aircraft fees vary:
- Motorcycles: USD 20 (foreign), 20,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Saloon cars: USD 40 (foreign), 20,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Pickups and 4WD: USD 50 (foreign), 30,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Buses/Lorries: USD 150 (foreign), 150,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Aircraft: from USD 20 to USD 60 depending on size; East Africans pay between 40,000 and 120,000 UGX
- Helicopters: USD 100 (foreign), 250,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Parking fee for aircraft/helicopters: 5,000 UGX per day
Animals & Wildlife of Bwindi
The main activity in Bwindi is gorilla trekking. While mountain gorillas are the highlight, the park is also home to other wildlife such as forest elephants, African buffaloes, jackals, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, duikers, and warthogs.
Bwindi also has over 300 species of birds. Some include black bee-eaters, yellow-streaked greenbuls, red-throated alethe, handsome francolin, Rwenzori nightjar, fine-banded woodpecker, bar-tailed trogon, grey cuckoo-shrike, mountain yellow warbler, short-tailed warbler, western green tinkerbird, Shelley’s greenbul, white-bellied robin-chat, and Kivu ground thrush.
See recommended list of birding tour operators here.
History of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
In 1932, two blocks of forest were first established as Crown Game Reserves. The northern block was Kayonza and the southern block was Kasotora. In 1942, they were combined into the Impenetrable Central Crown Reserve, covering 298 square kilometers.
In 1964, the area was designated as an animal sanctuary. In 1966, more forest was added, bringing the total area to 321 square kilometers. In 1991, it was declared a national park to protect mountain gorillas.
The Batwa people, who had lived in the forest for generations and depended on it for food, medicine, and shelter, were evicted in 1991 when the park was created. Gorilla trekking officially started in 1993 and has remained the main activity in the park.
Today, visitors can also learn about the Batwa people through cultural visits. Batwa guides show how they used to live in the forest, demonstrate traditional hunting methods, share knowledge of medicinal plants, and entertain visitors with cultural dances.
Packing List for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking requires preparation since mountain gorillas live in high-elevation tropical rainforests that involve hiking. Tourists should carry waterproof hiking boots, raincoats or jackets, energy snacks, plenty of drinking water, warm clothes, and sunglasses. Porters are available to help carry luggage at affordable prices.
Location of Bwindi – How to Get There
Bwindi is located about 478 kilometers southwest of Kampala. By road, it takes 8–9 hours to drive there. Domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield can also take you to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips.
- Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are in Kisoro District.
- Buhoma sector is in Kanungu District.
- Ruhija sector is in Kabale District.
Travel tips:
- For Buhoma and Ruhija, fly to Kihihi Airstrip.
- For Rushaga and Nkuringo, fly to Kisoro Airstrip.
Driving times: Kihihi to Buhoma takes 20–30 minutes, Kisoro to Rushaga or Nkuringo takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, and Kihihi to Ruhija takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Best Time to Visit Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the best time is during the dry months of June to September and December to February. During these months, the roads leading to the park are in good condition, and the trekking trails are easier to pass. Vegetation is also less thick, giving tourists a clear view of the mountain gorillas.
The rainy season makes trekking trails muddy and slippery, which can be difficult for some people. You may also trek in the rain, which not everyone enjoys. However, rainy months are good for budget travelers since many lodges offer discounted rates. This makes it easier for people with limited budgets to visit the park.
Accommodation in Bwindi
Bwindi has several lodges and safari hotels ranging from luxury to mid-range and budget options. Where to stay depends on your budget, location, and preference.
Some of the lodges in Bwindi include Buhoma Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Silverback Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, among others.
See recommended list of Bwindi tour operators here.
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