Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Famous for its population of mountain gorillas, this park in southwestern Uganda is one of the highlights on any Uganda itinerary. At 331 square kilometres, Bwindi is home to lush green mountains, more than 160 species of trees, 120 mammal species and 300+ bird species.

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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Discover lush rainforests and misty hillsides

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in Southwestern Uganda. As one of the most visited parks in Uganda it is most famous for being one of the few parks where you can see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. There are approximately 459 gorillas in the park, which is almost half of the entire population of mountain gorillas left in the wild.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a once in a lifetime experience. Seeing these majestic animals in the wild is like nothing you have ever experienced before. Weighing up to 220 kg, spotting them in the wild may seem scary… But rest assured – gorilla trekking is perfectly safe – for you and the animals alike.

The hikes can be strenuous, however, with a bit of preparation most people will be able to do them. There are four different areas within the park where you can spot the animals: Ruhijah in the East, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the South and Buhoma in the North.

Beyond Gorilla trekking: Exploring Bwindi’s wonders

Undoubtedly, the Gorilla trekking will be one of the highlights of your visit to the National Park. However, there are a multitude of other activities in the park that should not be missed! Our favourites include birdwatching and learning more about the Batwa People.

Watch out – for birds!

Voted as the best spot for birdwatching in Africa in 2011, birdwatching is one of the most popular activities in Bwindi National Park, right behind Gorilla trekking. Home to approximately 360 different bird species, and with 14 of them not recorded anywhere else in Uganda, this birdwatching spot is one of the nation’s favourite. Get ready to see birds such as the African Emerald Cuckoo, Common Bulbul, Giant Kingfisher and many more.

Delve into what life used to be like for the Batwa people (Pygmies)

After the forest was turned into a national park, the Batwa people, also known as “Keepers of the Forest”, were relocated into small villages at the edges of the national park. They are a hunter-gatherer tribe that lived in the area for thousands of years in symbiosis with nature. Today, they share a glimpse of what everyday life was like for them before they were relocated.

Common Animals in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

  • Mountain Gorilla
  • Chimpanzee
  • Colobus Monkey
  • Red-tailed Monkey
  • 360 different birds including hornbills and turacos
  • African Elephant
  • L’hoest Monkey
  • Bush Pig
  • Giant Forest hog
  • Antelopes
  • 200 butterfly species

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Video

Facts about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

  • The park was created in 1991 mostly to preserve the endangered mountain gorillas and was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1994.
  • Home to over 300 bird species it is also a popular spot for birdwatching.
  • Despite only being declared a National Park in 1991 this forest has actually existed for more than 25,000 years and is the only forest in Africa where mountain gorillas and chimpanzees successfully co-exist.

Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

  • Gorilla trekking
  • Gorilla habituation
  • Chimpanzee trekking
  • Birdwatching
  • Forest Walks
  • Meet the Batwa people (Pygmies)

How to get there

You can get here by chartered or scheduled flight. Kihihi is the closest airport for the Buhoma and Ruhija areas of the park, and Kisoro airport is the closest airport to Rushaga and Nkuringo.

If you are planning on visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park during your visit to Uganda too, you can drive from there to the Northern edge of Bwindi in around 3–4 hours.

Climate

Being close to the equator, Bwindi has a tropical climate. Daytime temperatures usually hover around 23 degrees and drop to around 11 degrees at night, depending on the altitude. Rain falls throughout the year, however considerably less during the dry season from June to August and December to February.

Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in the dry season between June and August or December to February. During these months, you have the highest chance of blue skies and little rain. During the rainy seasons October to November and March to May the paths will be slippery, there are more mosquitoes, and you’ll probably miss some amazing scenery as it will most likely be cloudy. However, these months can be good for bird watching as the heavy rain attracts migratory birds.

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16-days Uganda: All pearls of Uganda

Jinja – Sipi Falls – Moroto/Karamajong – Kidepo Valley National Park – Murchison Falls National Park – Kibale National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Lake Mburo National Park
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