Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park is undoubtedly Uganda’s most popular tourist activity. The experience takes you on a unique interaction with mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas can be found in four national parks:

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in DR Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. Half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population lives in Uganda. Uganda is also the only country where mountain gorillas may be found in two distinct national parks.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, in southwestern Uganda, is often regarded, as the greatest spot to watch mountain gorillas.The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as impenetrable due to its dense tree canopies, which prevent sunlight from penetrating to the ground. Bwindi has the most habituated gorilla groups anywhere, with 17 in total. Bwindi is a suitable park to visit for gorilla tracking because it is adjacent to some of Uganda’s greatest tourist sites.

These include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Kibale National Park, and others. Visitors may therefore combine a gorilla safari with spotting the big five. A gorilla permit in Bwindi costs $700, less than the $1500 charged in Rwanda Congo gorilla permits are the cheapest at $400, but the instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has hindered gorilla tourism growth. It is vital to note that the cost of a gorilla permit does not include expenditures for lodging, visas, transportation, meals, or flights.

A gorilla trip might cost anything from $1150 and $5000. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park is about more than just gorillas. Visitors can also visit the Batwa pygmy community, go on forest hikes, watch birds, and see other primates such as chimps. Speaking about chimps, Bwindi is one of the only national parks in the world where mountain gorillas and chimps coexist.

The chimps may be seen while tracking the gorillas.It is vital to note that the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is separated into four major sectors: Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija. Rushaga and Buhoma have more gorilla families than the other regions. They are also more widely used for gorilla tracking. Visitors interested in gorilla habituation can do so from Rushaga.

Currently, only one gorilla troop is being habituated. A gorilla trekking permit costs $700, whereas a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500. Only four permits are provided per day for the gorilla habituation experience, while over 170 gorilla permits are available for conventional trekking.

Read an intriguing story regarding gorilla trekking versus habitat in Uganda. If you are a senior, you may find our post on gorilla trekking for the elderly intriguing.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National Park

Gorilla watching in Bwindi takes place all year, but the dry/peak season is the greatest time to see gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The peak season occurs between December and February, and June and August. The wet season runs from March to May and October to November. Tracking gorillas during the rainy season is more difficult due of the overgrown vegetation and muddy pathways. However, travelers should not be discouraged from scheduling tours during the rainy season. Gorilla permits are more affordable during the rainy/low season.

The park is also less crowded, allowing visitors to spend more time with the gorillas. It is vital to understand that Bwindi is a rain forest. Rain can come at any time regardless of the season.

Getting to Bwindi Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is accessible by air via Kajjansi/Entebbe or by car from Kampala. The travel by road from Kampala takes approximately 8 hours, whereas a flight takes no more than 2 hours. Some people escape the long road trip from Kampala by arriving in Kigali.

The journey from Kigali, Rwanda, to Bwindi takes four hours.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest begins with a briefing at the park headquarters at 7:30 a.m. Visitors should sleep early on the day of tracking and rise up at 5 a.m. to eat breakfast before beginning the drive to the park office. After the briefing at the park office, hikers are divided into small groups of eight. Each group of eight follows a specific gorilla family. Some gorilla families dwell near the park offices, while others are located further away.

Park Guides from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, two armed rangers, and porters accompany each tour. The Guides are highly experienced, informed, and properly trained. While guiding people to the gorillas, they will provide information about the gorilla family and other species found in the jungle.

Tracking gorillas in Bwindi.

The gorilla group assigned to the individual determines the amount of time spent monitoring gorillas in Bwindi. Some groups can be located in as little as 30 minutes, while others can take hours. Normally, a team of trackers leads the group to locate the gorilla family. They then radio the lead Guide to advise him of the gorilla family’s exact location.

These advanced trackers know where the gorillas built their last sleeping nests and will proceed in that route. There is no guarantee of sighting gorillas, although the odds are more than 98%.Once you find the family, you will only have one hour with them so that they do not become uncomfortable. Watching gorillas may be an incredibly emotional experience because they behave like humans and share approximately 98 percent of our DNA.

Take your time observing their behavior and personalities, and get some beautiful images for your memory. Follow the norms and regulations for gorilla tracking, such as avoiding smoking or eating in front of the primates. When a gorilla charges at you, do not run away; instead, lie down with your heads bowed in surrender.

Other activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park

As previously stated, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich biodiversity. Visitors to Bwindi can participate in various more activities, which may include any of the following: –

Visiting the Batwa pygmies:

To visit the indigenous people who have lived in the Bwindi jungle for thousands of years.

Unfortunately, they have been expelled from the forest and forced to move outside of the park. Visiting the Batwa pygmies provides an excellent opportunity to learn about their culture and participate in some of their cultural events. Expect to see traditional dance performances and hear stories about how they used to hunt and pick fruit in the jungle.

Primates watching:

 Bwindi Forest is one of the few places in the world where you can view both mountain gorillas and chimps. Tourists taking gorilla tours in Bwindi may be lucky enough to see chimps and baboons along the route. Bush infants, Blue Monkeys, Red-Tailed Monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Ververt Monkeys, and Colobus Monkeys are some of the smaller primates that can be seen in Bwindi.

Wildlife viewing:

 While gorilla tracking is, the main attraction at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, visitors can also see forest elephants, leopards, bats, jackals, forest duikers, and giant forest hogs.

Birding:

Bwindi Forest is one of Africa’s top birding locations, with over 330 different bird species.

Cultural activities:

Include Buniga Forest tours, village walks, visits to local houses, and the purchase of local handcrafted items.

Accommodation
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park necessitates selecting the appropriate lodging.

There are numerous luxury and cheap accommodations available. The ultimate decision is totally up to your unique preferences, budget, and needs. Luxury lodges can cost up to $1500 per night, while budget lodges can start at $80.

Let us take a brief glance at some of the biggest hotels and lodges:

Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort and Campsite offers economy, mid-range, and luxury rooms in Ruhija Sector. There are conventional rooms, tents, and campgrounds.Travelers can stroll directly from the lodge to the park office for a briefing.

Volcanoes Safaris’ Bwindi Lodge:

This Super Luxury Lodge is located in the Buhoma district, near the park offices.

Walking to the park entrance takes only ten minutes. They offer some of the greatest services in Buhoma. Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla resort is a mid-luxury resort located in the Nkuringo Sector.

Aside from gorillas, the area is ideal for birding. Buhoma Community Campsite is ideal for budget travelers who seek roomy, self-contained rooms. Buhoma Lodge is located in the Buhoma area and provides spectacular views of the park.

Silverback Lodge:

This lodge is located in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi. They offer self-contained luxury and midrange accommodations. The lodge arranges outdoor activities for interested visitors, like as nature tours to surrounding settlements, the day before or after gorilla tracking.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Is located in the park’s southern area and has eight self-contained stone rooms. Each room is furnished with local items and a fireplace.

Gorilla Forest Camp:

Conveniently placed near to the park entrance. The campsite comprises over seven tents, each with its own bathroom, raised and supported by wooden platforms.

Mahogany Springs:

As the name implies, it is made of mahogany and provides luxurious accommodations, including a presidential suite overlooking the gorgeous Munyanga River.

What is the cost of gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest?

Every traveler planning a Bwindi gorilla trekking safari would eventually wonder about the expense. The price of Bwindi gorilla trekking includes a gorilla permit. Bwindi gorilla trekking licenses cost $700, which is far cheaper than the $1500 charged in Rwanda. A portion of the money collected from gorilla permits is used to fund gorilla conservation activities and local residents living around the park.

Paying for the licenses directly contributes to gorilla conservation and empowers local people such as the Batwa, who were evicted from the forest. It is vital to note that, in addition to the gorilla permit, you will need to pay for transportation, lodging, and VISA fees.

Gorilla permits in Bwindi are in high demand and must be purchased in advance to ensure availability, especially if traveling during the peak season. You should also know which sector you want to visit. Gorilla permits can be obtained at the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s offices in Kampala.

It is feasible to organize your own gorilla safari and travel to Bwindi in your own automobile. However, based on our personal experience, we recommend hiring the services of a reputable tour company to plan your trip.

Experienced tour operators from Naleyo tours and travels can assist you in obtaining permits, especially during busy season. They will also assist you with selecting/booking the appropriate accommodation (near the park), arranging transportation, and booking other activities, among others.