Uganda is a Gorilla country. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of the oldest and most biologically diverse rain forests in Uganda. Which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants.
It is estimated that there are over 880 mountain gorilla’s still living in the world. Almost half of them are in Uganda – in Bwindi and Mgahinga impenetrable gorilla forests.
There are over 21 Gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and 1 Gorilla Family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park There are 4 Sectors for trekking in Bwindi; Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo. Gorilla Trekking Permit is $ 700 and $ 1500 for Habituation Experience.
Tracking a gorilla family only permits a group of 8 people per day to spend one hour with them.
Habituation experience allows only 4 people to spend 4 hours per day for a specific family to be habituated.
Gorilla tracking can be challenging, in other words needs one to be fit in order to undertake this adventurous activity. Besides, porters are always available for anyone who needs them. Registration and briefing at Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo visitor receptions commences at 0730 hours with general briefings conducted at 0800 hours.
Gorilla tracking starts at 08:30am and can last from a few hours to a whole day depending on where the gorillas were the previous day.
On an average one needs a minimum of at least 3 Days to go for any Gorilla tracking or Habituation Experience.
Uganda Gorilla Safaris combination with other National Parks of your choice in order to have a great experience.
Ganyana Safaris Tour consultant will advise you accordingly depending on your budget and days you are willing to spend on the safari.
Other activities around Bwindi Impenetrable include;
- Batwa trail and cultural experience
- Nature walks
- Mountain Biking
- Birding
- Muyanga River Trail,Waterfall Trail,Rushura Trail, Muzabajiro Loop Trail, River Ivi Trail.
Accessibility
ROADS
The National Park is about 530km from Kampala, the Capital City. The park can be accesses by road from several directions that include;
Through Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya) – Kihih- Buhoma. This route passes through Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Southerly Ishasha Sector. This provides a chance for tourists to stopover and go for a game drive in search for the famous tree-climbing lions. Bwindi is 160km from Mweya and 64km from Ishasha.
You can access the park through;
- Kampala- Kabale- Kanungu- Buhoma
- Kampala-Ntugamo- Rukingiri- Kihihi-Buhoma
- Kabale- Ruhija- Buhoma
- Kampala- Kabale- Nkuringo
AIR TRANSFER
Travelers can fly from Entebbe international Airport or Kajjansi Airfield. To the modern tarmac Airstrip at Kisoro town. Especially, visitors to Buhoma can also charter planes to Kihihi Airstrip.
