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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.
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
March to May & September to November –Wet Seasons
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.
From: $275 to $726 pp/day
From: June to August and December to February
From: June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)
From: 321km² / 124mi²
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.
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
Wet Seasons –March to May & September to November
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.
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:
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – Uganda page to learn more about passports, visas, COVID-19, and other entry requirements.
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