Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Supporting nearly half of the world’s estimated 1000 mountain gorilla population, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated along the Great Rift Valley. As the name suggests, it is an area of almost impassibly dense rainforest spread over a network of valleys and ridges, carving a silhouette of undulating peaks into the skyline. Dating back over 25,000 years, this is one of Africa’s oldest and most captivating parklands; its bamboo and swamp forests provide the ideal environment for the gorilla population that call it home.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Quick Facts

  • The park was established in 1991 and was granted a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994.
  • Bwindi has four sectors; Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and Nkuringo
  • Unique for the estimated 340 mountain gorillas which live here
  • a total of 350 bird species having been recorded
  • The rainforest is said to be more 25.000-year-old

Wildlife spotting opportunities

  • Mountain gorillas
  • Baboons
  • Chimpanzees
  • Forest elephants

UNESCO status and primates

Granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994, the park is situated in the Kigezi highlands of southwest Uganda. Covering an area of 330 kilometers, altitude ranges from 1,106 meters to 2,607 meters and in true rainforest-style, it receives up to 1,500mm of rain annually.

The gorilla trekking within Bwindi can be challenging, but the rewards are unmistakable and your first glance at the gorillas in their natural habitat will be one that stays with you for life.

There are currently 12 families of habituated gorillas in Bwindi that can be tracked. A maximum of 8 people is allowed to visit each gorilla family per day for one hour.

There are rangers following each family, but keep in mind that the mountain gorillas are wild animals and will keep moving. Besides, a silverback (not necessarily the leader but a male more than 14 years old) can at any time decide to leave a group to form his own family.

In the Buhoma area; Habinyanja, Rushegura, Mubare and Orozugo. There are other families, making twelve in total, that are habituated in the Bwindi area, some requiring overnights in Buhoma or Nkuringo if you wish to track them.

In addition to the 340 habituated gorillas in the park there are 120 other mammals that you can see, including a range of other primates such as chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus and blue monkey. It is also a place that will satisfy keen ornithologists, with a total of 350 bird species having been recorded within Bwindi, making it one of Uganda’s main birding areas.