Overview–uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable NP is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it is the best place in Uganda to track mountain gorillas. The park protects around 40% of the world’s mountain gorilla population and has several habituated groups. The forest is also a bird-watcher's paradise with 350 species recorded, including many Albertine Rift endemics.

Scenery

Bwindi is a pristine rainforest on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. The terrain is a string of ridges and valleys covered in very dense, impenetrable forest. Bwindi has one of the most diverse floras in East Africa and it harbors 10 tree species that don’t occur anywhere else in the country.

Best Time to Visit

Tracking gorillas is best when Bwindi’s trails are not so sodden and there is more sunshine (June to August and December to February). Slippery trails and occasional mist make wildlife watching more challenging during the wetter months of the year.

Best Time to Visit

Bwindi is open for gorilla trekking all year long, but the best times to go are from June to August and December to February. At these times, the forest trails are drier and therefore less slippery. Also, your chance of a dry gorilla viewing experience is higher during these months. This might result in a better experience and photography will be easier.

June to August & December to February –Dry Seasons

Gorillas are easier to track, and the trails are drier
There are more sunny days
It is hazy, and the views are less spectacular

March to May & September to November –Wet Seasons

Gorillas can be tracked any time of the year
Many localized forest birds are in the breeding season and easily located by call
Some access roads may become hard to travel as the trails become slick
The chance of tracking gorillas in the rain is high and this might interfere with the experience and taking photos
It tends to be misty and wet

Activities

One of the main attractions in Bwindi is gorilla trekking, where visitors can hike through dense forests to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. There are several sectors within the park designated for gorilla tracking: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija. Each sector hosts different gorilla families that have been habituated to human presence. In addition to gorilla trekking, visitors can engage in bird watching and cultural experiences with local communities such as the Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy people. The best time for trekking activities is during the dry seasons from mid-June to October and December through March.

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Rates

From: $275 to $726 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: June to August and December to February

High Season

From: June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Size

From: 321km² / 124mi²

Wildlife & Animals

The main attraction in Bwindi is its mountain gorillas. Of its population of approximately 400 individuals, more than a hundred are habituated. Bwindi has more than 120 mammal species, but most of these are small forest creatures. Elephants are present, although they are rarely seen. More regularly encountered are bushbuck and several types of duiker.

Wildlife Highlights

Bwindi contains a huge number of threatened species and is therefore considered a hot spot in conservation. Butterflies are something of a specialty, with an impressive list of 220 species, of which three only occur in the park. Bwindi is home to 10 primate species, including the rare L'Hoest's monkey and black-and-white colobus. Chimpanzees are present but not habituated and therefore rarely seen.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Rainfall is the main factor to consider when deciding the best time for gorilla trekking. Heavy rains result in slippery and challenging hiking trails. It can rain at any time of the year, but June to August and December to February have less rain and are therefore considered the best times to go. The park stays open throughout the year.

General Wheather

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a wet, yet mild, climate. Temperatures remain consistent yearlong due to its short distance from the equator. Daytime temperatures of around 23°C/73°F are usual, with a significant drop at night to around 11°C/52°F.

Bwindi receives a lot of rain throughout the year. The months of June and July receive the least rain. From March to May and October to November the rainfall is highest. Waterproof clothing and hiking shoes are essential.

Dry Seasons–June to August & December to February

June, July & August – June and July are the driest months, but it can still rain. By August the rains start to increase. The average temperatures range from 23°C/73°F in the afternoon to 11°C/52°F in the morning. It gets even colder at higher altitudes.
December, January & February – A short drier spell, but rainfall can occur at any time. The rains slow by December and increase in February. Daytime temperatures average around 24°C/75°F, with morning temperatures around 11°C/52°F.

Wet Seasons –March to May & September to November

March, April & May – Rainfall increases and usually peaks in April. Navigating the road to Bwindi can become difficult, so a 4x4 is essential. The forest trails become slippery and more difficult to hike. Daytime temperatures average around 23°C/73°F, with morning temperatures around 12°C/54°F.
September, October & November – These months are wetter, with October and November experiencing high rainfall. Sometimes it drizzles continuously for days. Daytime temperatures are around 23°C/73°F. Forest trails can become slippery after rains.

Prons

Excellent gorilla trekking with almost guaranteed sightings
Superb bird watching is available with knowledgeable guides
Unspoiled rainforest
Community projects including a village visit

Cons

Some access roads are bad in the rainy season
Very expensive gorilla trekking permit and limited availability (but cheaper than in Rwanda)

How To Get There

There are four different trailheads for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These are Buhoma and Ruhija in the north, and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. They are several hours apart by road. If visited as part of a Ugandan tour, Buhoma, the main gorilla trekking trailhead, can be reached from Queen Elizabeth National Park in 2 to 3 hours* (from the Ishasha sector) or 5 to 6 hours* (from the more northerly sectors). It is 5 to 7 hours* by road from Lake Mburo National Park to the various trailheads. If coming straight from Entebbe or Kampala, the trip by road will take about 8 to 10 hours*. During the rainy season, travel by 4WD vehicle is necessary for some trailheads.

Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is where most visitors enter the country. It is about 46km/29mi from the capital city of Kampala. It is possible to fly by domestic carrier from Entebbe or Kampala (Kajjansi Airfield) to Kihihi or Kisoro near Bwindi.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Entebbe International Airport (EBB), and what tickets would cost.

www.skyscanner.com

Domestic Flights

Most domestic flights between parks are arranged by tour operators and are included in your tour package. Bwindi can be reached by scheduled or chartered flight. Kihihi is the closest airport to the Buhoma and Ruhija trailheads and Kisoro is closest to the southerly Rushaga and Nkuringo. Both are about 40km/25mi from the park and the drive from either takes usually about 1½ hours.

Two domestic carriers are flying scheduled services to Kihihi or Kisoro: