Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi means ‘impenetrable’ in Lukiga. Bwindi is one of a few pockets in East Africa where you can find a primary forest.

See the gorillas from Nkuringo and Buhoma points. The gorillas are just one out of 120 mammal species that live in this paradise.

Bwindi has hundreds of species of birds as well as indigenous trees. Some of these species only exist at Bwindi.

Nineteen gorilla families live in the forest shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Most are in Uganda.

How to get to the Bwindi Forest National Park 

You can drive to the Bwindi Forest National Park or fly there.

By road, Bwindi Impenetrable is 3 hours from Queen Elizabeth National Park, 8 hours from Kampala, or 2 hours from Kabale. A 4×4 will get through the mud.

Fly in from Entebbe or Kampala to one of three airstrips near Bwindi.

Your tour operator will make the travel arrangements.

When to Visit Bwindi Forest National Park

The impenetrable forest is a little less impenetrable in the drier months. Go there in June-August or Dec-February.

Trails are not too slippery when it is dry. You are also more likely to spot a gorilla. Accommodation is easier to find, too.

How to Get a Gorilla Safari Permit for the Bwindi Forest National Park

Tour operators will secure the permit on your behalf. Each guest must have one.

Gorilla Safari permits are cheaper in Uganda ($700) than in Rwanda ($1500). With a permit, you can spend an hour with a family of gorillas.

Off-season permits might be cheaper.

The money goes directly to government agencies. Tour companies cannot guarantee a refund if you cancel.

Governments issue a limited number of permits.

Travel Tips within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Besides trekking, you can look into mountain biking, canoeing, and cycling.

It is a 4-hour trek to get to a gorilla family. Get in shape before your trip to Bwindi.

You will only spend one hour with a gorilla family to avoid making them uncomfortable.

Even habituated gorillas are still wild animals. To be safe, do what your guide tells you to do.

What to wear

Wear hiking boots, long sleeves, and full-length pants. Protect yourself from sharp branches, thorns, bugs, and nettles.

Half the mountain gorillas in the world live in Bwindi. It is the best place to encounter this fascinating animal.

Where to Stay

Bwindi Packages