Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest mainly takes you on a thrilling adventure to explore the massive mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park offers complete immersion into the jungle for you to explore at close range mountain gorillas’ behaviors. Visiting mountain gorillas in the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is exceptionally unique in the sense that these apes are rare and only exist in the wild, NOT at the Zoo like other subspecies of gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Africa’s premier destinations that promise captivating encounters with a family of mountain gorillas. Bwindi lies in the Southwestern end of Uganda and was officially established as a National Park in 1991, with its current size measuring 331 sq. km. It is among the few designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, and is where over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population comfortably reside.
Where to go for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
While in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, visitor focus for gorilla trekking lies mainly on the 4 sectors: Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Rushaga. In each of the prime trailheads of Bwindi, there are already habituated gorilla groups to be explored. The Ruhija sector, which is in Bwindi’s Eastern end, holds habituated gorilla groups such as the Oruzogo group, the Bitukura gorilla group, Mukiza, Kyaguriro, and each of them is assigned to a maximum of 8 visitors.
If you consider visiting Ruhija for gorilla trekking, then you should also secure a lodge in or around the Eastern side of Bwindi. The places to stay in the Ruhija sector include Gorilla Mist Camp, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Broadbill Forest Camp, and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Buhoma sector in the Northern part of Bwindi is a historic region for gorilla trekking in Uganda, home to amazing gorilla groups, including the very pioneering family –Mubare group. Mubare was the first group to be launched into gorilla trekking after completing the habituation cycle around 1993. But currently, the Buhoma sector has expanded in terms of habituated gorilla groups, inhabiting additional families such as the Habinyanja group, Katwe, Rushegura, and Muyambi gorilla groups.
Available places to stay in and around Bwindi’s Buhoma trailhead in the North include Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, CPTH Gorilla Conservation Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi, Bwindi View Bandas, Trackers Safari Lodge, and Engagi Lodge.
Rushaga sector and its habituated gorilla groups offer an incredible opportunity for gorilla trekking in the Southern part of Bwindi. As per the current status, Rushaga is where the largest population of gorilla groups are concentrate. This sector’s gorilla families include mainly the Mishaya gorilla group, Nshongi gorilla group, Bweza group, Busingye gorilla group, Kahungye group, Mucunguzi family, Rwigyi group families, and more.
When you decide to track the Rushaga gorillas then also consider booking accommodation options in the Southern region of Bwindi. Top safari lodges you can consider for overnight stay include Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nshongi Camp, and Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge. Other lodges include Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, and Gorilla Valley Lodge.
Nkuringo region/sector is another incredible gorilla trekking sector in the Southern Bwindi and holds habituated gorilla families, including Christmas, Bushaho gorilla group, Nkuringo group family, and Posho gorilla group.
Nkuringo’s leading accommodation facilities to be considered booking include Bwindi Backpackers, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, & Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
Cost of permits for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest, Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the budget destinations when it comes to gorilla tours in Uganda. To get a chance to encounter the Bwindi gorillas, a valid permit should be secured and it is possible at only USD 800 per person if you visit Uganda as a foreign non-resident, USD 700 for foreign residents, and all East African citizens are charged UGX 300,000 per person.
What are gorilla trekking addons in Bwindi Forest Park?
Rather than the standard gorilla treks, Bwindi is also the only place in the world for you to engage in the guided mountain gorilla habituation experience. The Bwindi gorilla habituation begins from the Rushaga sector and is expected to have an extended time to search and observe the semi-habituated gorilla group. Visitors who book and embark on the gorilla habituation get a reward of 4 hours for a face-to-face interaction with the semi-habituated group.
Explore more than gorillas in the scenic jungles of Bwindi, a home to over 120 mammal species. In Bwindi alone, there are other species to interact with, including more than 350 species of birds, chimpanzees, forest elephants, African golden cats, African buffalo, duikers, colobus monkeys, giant forest hogs, and l’hoest monkeys. The diverse species of birds that are unique to Bwindi Forest include Shelley’s crimsonwing, African green broadbill, Rwenzori Batis, and Great blue turacos.
Hiking trails that guarantee incredible sightings. Bwindi offers not just gorilla treks alone, but also great hiking experiences. The park features some of the world’s scenic hiking trails, including the moderate Habinyanja hiking trail, Munyaga River trails, Rushura hill trail, Waterfall trail, Muzubijiro Loop trail, Kashasha River trail, and more.
Cultural immersion after trekking with the Bwindi Forest gorillas. Bwindi tours promise not only thrilling trekking adventures with gorillas but also a cultural experience. Visitors have an option of visiting the Batwa pygmy community or the Bakiga community.
The Bwindi Forest gorilla trek experience
The normal trek with gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park starts with a briefing. The briefing session in Bwindi is conducted starting from the 4 (four) trailheads. Visitors assemble at the offices of the respective park sector to meet the UWA official. You can leave the briefing centre after having a gorilla group allocated to you, plus a ranger guide. The normal trekking adventure may last for 2-6 hours, but it also covers an hour for taking pictures and witnessing at personal close range how these large apes behave.
The length of a standard trek with gorillas varies depending on the key factors like your walking speed and fitness levels. It is essential to keep yourself fit for the extended trek with gorillas in Bwindi, and this can involve doing some prior exercise.
Additionally, you should also consider packing the right items for your gorilla trekking safari. The following items shouldn’t be left out of your packing list for the Bwindi gorilla trekking expedition: a pack of energy-giving snacks, insect repellents, a camera, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, a daypack, a first aid kit, and more.
When to trek gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi NP
The best time to travel to explore the Bwindi Forest gorillas is during the peak dry season. This can be anytime around June, July, August, or September –the long dry months of the year. Or you can have your gorilla tour booked during the short dry season from December to February.
How to get to Bwindi Forest (Uganda)
By road, be prepared to drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi through the Mbarara-Kabale route, which can cover 9 -10 hours. Or you can cross from Kigali city through Chanika/Katuna border, and in just 4-5 hours, you would have reached Bwindi.
By air, you can have quick access to Bwindi, and the available option is flying from the Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to Kisoro/Kihihi Airfield.
How to plan your safari to Bwindi Forest
Book your gorilla trekking tour to Bwindi Forest through an expert like Maranatha Tours and Travel. We have amazing packages suitable for you to explore the best of Bwindi on a guided gorilla trekking safari.