A complete guide to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A complete guide to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

A complete guide to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The Kisoro and Kanungu districts of southern Uganda border DR Congo and include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park borders the Albertine Rift. The 321-square-kilometer park is mostly montane and lowland woods. The park may be Africa’s oldest woodland at around 25,000 years old. Bwindi became a National Park in 1991 and a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994.

Five significant rivers feed into Lake Edward from Bwindi’s rugged peaks and valleys. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park features around 400 plant species and 150 animals, including gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, forest elephants, and antelopes.

More than 348 bird species are found in Bwindi, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. The park is home to around 400 gorillas, more than half of the world’s population, and 19 groups are habituated for human visit, known as Mountain Gorilla tracking, which can only be done in three nations. DR Congo, Uganda, Rwanda.

The park is 1,190 to 2,607 meters (3,904 to 8,553 ft) above sea level, with Rwamunyonyi Hill being the highest. Batwa pygmies, who lived in the forest as hunters and fruit gatherers and utilized herbs for healing, are thought to be Bwindi’s original population. After the park became a national heritage, they moved to forest boundaries where they reside.

Regions of Bwindi

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four sectors: Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east. Rushaga and Nkuringo are in the south.

The Buhoma sector

The first area to be habituated in 1993 after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was named a UNESCO Heritage was Buhoma sector in the north. Buhoma, home to the oldest Gorilla family Mubare and three others—Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Katwe—is the park’s most popular area.

About Buhoma gorilla families

Mubare Gorilla Family

This is Bwindi’s oldest gorilla troop, habituated in 1993 when tourism began. Mubare was named after the Mubare Hills, where trackers first found the tribe. Ruhondeza led a 15-member gang after the habituation, but raids and disaster reduced it to 5. After Ruhondeza died at over 50 and Kanyonyi took over, the group has grown to 9 members.

Habinyanja Gorillas

The group tracked in 1999 after becoming habituated in 1997. This group is also in Buhoma. Habinyanja comes from the Rukiga term for water, Nyanja. Because the gang was initially seen near a swamp pond in Bwindi, Mugurusi was the leader and his brothers Mwirima and Rwansigazi replaced him. Mwirima preferred staying put, but Rwansigazi adored traveling.

Later, Rwasigazi founded Rushegura. This family has 17 members—9 adults, 5 newborns, and 3 juveniles—led by Silverback Makara. One of the easier groups to follow, you drive 45 minutes from the starting point to Nyamishaba hamlet and find the route.

Rushegura Gorillas.

It separated from Habinyanja gorilla family and was tracked around 3002. Mwirima, a powerful silverback, spearheaded this breakaway after years of power struggle with his sibling Rwansigazi. He fled with 7 members.

After his death, a black back leads the gang. The gang has grown from 8 to 19. This tribe lives on the border and crosses between Uganda and DR Congo often. This group is simple to trace since visitors start their hike at the park headquarters and travel 15 minutes to the Mukono route.

Group Katwe gorillas.

The latest Buhoma sector group needed three years to become acclimated and ready for visitor monitoring. One dominant silverback, four females, and two infants are present. It’s unclear how many members this organization has since people come and go. This organization was created in 2018 to raise daily gorilla permits and nation income.

 

Sector Ruhija

In the eastern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Bitukura and Oruzogo gorilla families are accessible for tracking. The Kyaguriro family is used for study. The coldest part of Bwindi is over 2350 meters above sea level. Nature lovers may hike the Rwamunyonyi mountain and other attractive routes in the area. Monkeys, elephants, and antelopes live in Ruhija.

Ruhija gorilla families

Gorilla family Bitukura.

The family lives in Ruhija, on the eastern side of Bwindi, and was called after a river in the park since they were originally seen near there. In October 3008, the group was tracked after habituation in 3007. It was simple for the rangers to habituate the gorillas since they had previously seen the Kyaguriro group and were never aggressive.

They adapted to humans quicker than other gorilla tribes. This gorilla family is calm and without politics, unlike others. The group was 24 individuals, but fatalities and flights separated it into 14 members: 4 silverbacks, 4 adult females, 3 adolescents, and 1 newborn. Peaceful leader Ndahura leads the gathering.

Oruzogo clan

In 2011, the family began monitoring and ended up with 25 members and two silverbacks. The family has 17 members: one silverback, Tibirikwata, the head, 2 black backs, 7 females, 2 young adults, and 5 newborns.

The region’s largest group got its name from a shrub near its home, where it was first seen. In 2013, Kankonda, a female, gave birth to twins, making the group renowned. Gorilla trackers enjoy watching this lively bunch.

Kyaruguriro family gorillas.

The study group was habituated in 1999 for habituation researchers. The gang had 20 members, including Rukina, the head silverback who perished from lightning. In 2016, the immature mukiza led the group, but battles between Mukiza and Rukara broke the group into two Kyaguriro A and B, each with 10 members and known as the Mukiza Gorilla Family.

Sector Rushaga

Rushaga, located south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, has 5 gorilla families, the most of any sector, and is simple to walk because to its terrine. Kisoro makes Rushaga an easy monitoring point for Kigali travelers.

Visitors can follow Busingye, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, and Kahungye, which are habituated families. Only Bushaho and Bikyingi families are now undergoing gorilla habitatation in Bwindi. Like buhoma and ruhija sectors, the sector enables cultural encounters with the Batwa population.

Rushaga sector gorilla families

Nshongi Gorilla Group

This family included about 36 gorillas and was Bwindi’s biggest. After two splits, the Bweza and Mishaya Gorilla Family formed. Nshongi leads the group of 25 silverbacks, 3 sub-silvers, 4 blackbacks, 7 adult females, 6 adolescents, and 4 newborns. This group is happy and lively with newborns, thus its large size makes it beautiful to observe.

Mishaya Gorilla Group

In 2010, there were flight and disputes, and Mishaya the silverback split to create his own group, taking 7 members with him. The group is known for its fighting, and over the years it has attracted more female members, bringing the total to 15 and 3 infants.

Bweza Gorilla Group

This 8-member group split from Nshongi Gorilla Family in 2013, and although park officials hoped to reconcile with Nshongi and rejoin, it failed and was exposed to public monitoring. The group includes 1 silverback, 2 newborns, and many females and youngsters. Visitors like seeing this group go about their daily park activities the most.

Gorilla Family Kahungye

The group was established in 2011 and opened for monitoring with 27 members. After a year, flights and disagreements divided the group into the Busingye group. Two black backs, Rwigi and Ruhamuka, females, and youngsters joined Rumansi in the group of 13.

Gorilla family Busingye.

After breaking from Kahungye group in 2015, the organization was named after its leader, Busingye, who is renowned for provoking battles with other factions. Busingye began with 7 members but now has 8 and thrives on stealing girls from other men, demonstrating strength.

The Rushaga gorilla habituation

Gorilla habitatation is the process by which mountain gorillas are educated to become acclimated to humans over many years by a team of well-trained rangers and physicians who spend every day with them. Gorilla habituation takes up to four hours each day and involves two families.

Bikyingi and Bushaho gorilla families are doing this. Bikyingi family in Rushaga has 21 members: 1 silverback, 2 sub-adults, 9 females, and 9 infants; Bushaho family further south near Nkuringo sector has 8 members: 1 silverback, 1 black back, 1 sub-adult, 3 adults, 1 female, 1 juvenile, and 2 infants. Ex-Nkuringo gorilla Bahati is the head.

Sector Nkuringo

The Nkuringo family and Christmas family are accessible for hiking in southern Bwindi. The Bushaho gorilla family sometimes moves between Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. Trekking at Nkruingo is difficult due to its high height. Young, active travelers who want to hike and view gorillas should visit this section. While in this location, you can easily view the Virunga Volcanoes in Uganda and Rwanda, which may inspire you to visit.

Nkuringo sector gorilla families

Gorilla Family Nkuringo

The first family was habituated in 1997, and the group was opened up for monitoring in 3004. The group’s name comes from the local location where it was originally sighted, Nkuringo, meaning “Hills”. The group started with 19 members but currently has 15. Rafiki, a Swahili name meaning “Friend,” led the group until his death in 3008, and they were the first to conceive twins in 3004, but one died.

Gorilla clan

Bushaho gorillas now number 9. Still, like other gorilla families, it may grow depending on newborn kids and if the dominant Silverback can conquer other unhabituated mountain gorillas in the vicinity. After Bushaho gorilla family was opened in 2016, there are currently 17 gorilla families in all four Bwindi areas, making Uganda one of the greatest places to witness these endangered mountain gorillas.

A Gorilla Family Christmas.

The Christmas gorilla family lives in southern Bwindi, Nkuringo. This is the third habituated mountain gorilla family in Nkuringo, making three groups available for hiking. Up to 9 Christmas group members are recorded, with 6 observed hiking this family. Christmas, a silverback, leads a black back, three females, and a newborn. This group is trackable and often visits other towns for food.

 

How to drive to Bwindi.

A complete guide to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.By road, Bwindi can be reached from Entebbe or Kampala via scenic drives and stops, including the Equator crossing in Kayabwe, roadside crafts, fruit markets, and the Igongo cultural center in Mbarara. Lunch on the road and the scenic drive through the rolling hills of Kigezi and changing vegetation, river, and mountain scenery are included. Drive duration from Entebbe to Bwindi is 8-9 hours, 550km to the park.

Lake Mburo Np, Kibale National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park have links, so you may add another place to your Uganda vacation. You go via Mbarara and Kable from Lake Mburo. Connect to Buhoma from Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kihihi.

Rwandans travel 4-5 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing Cyanika or Katuna. Coming from Rwanda, you must pass the genocide museum.

How to fly to Bwindi.

Entebbe or Kajansi airfields provide one-hour flights to Bwindi. Flight pickups are also offered at national park airstrips.

In charter and scheduled flights, Aerolink and Kampala Executive Aviation dominate. With scheduled flights, you book the next available flight to your location, whereas charter flights are arranged for a price.

You must travel north or south to Bwindi, depending on where you booked your gorilla tracking permit. Fly into Bwindi using two airstrips. Trackers in Buhoma and Ruhija use Kihihi Airstrip. The airfield is 45 minutes from Buhoma Sector. For southern gorilla tracking, fly into Kisoro Airstrip, 45 minutes distant. Your travel company’s vehicles will pick you up from the airport and drive you to your hotel.

How many Bwindi gorilla permits exist?

Gorilla permits.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues this card to enable travelers over 15 to follow gorillas in Bwindi for a certain day. The date and location of your gorilla visit are specified in your permission.

Bwindi contains 19 gorilla families in Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga sectors, each offering 8 permits per day for a total of 152 permits per day. Rushaga Gorilla Habituation offers 4 daily licenses.

Mgahinga National Park contains one gorilla family and 8 permits. Please note that Gorilla permits are in great demand and available on a first-come, first-served basis when contacting Katland Safaris.

 

What is Bwindi gorilla permit cost?

Gorilla licenses cost differently for habituation and hiking. Bwindi gorilla hiking licenses are USD800 for non-foreigners, USD700 for foreign residents, and Ugx 300,000 for East Africans. Gorilla habitat licenses cost USD1500 for non-foreigners, USD1000 for East Africans, and Uganda shs. East Africans may spend four hours with gorillas in Bwindi’s south between Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors for 750,000.

Price is per 2020/2021 Uganda Wildlife Authority Tariff.  The gorilla permit price includes admission costs to Bwindi Forest, guide fees, and conservation value as Bwindi hosts half the world’s mountain gorillas. Bwindi gorilla permits are less than Rwanda gorilla permits, which enable one-hour viewing for all citizens for USD1500. Visit Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park to hike gorillas for a lifelong experience at a low cost.

Booking Bwindi gorilla permits

Permits are essential for planning a successful gorilla expedition. Gorilla trekking and habituation permits let you observe gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.  You may hike gorillas from all sectors in Bwindi with 180 daily permits. Gorilla trekking permits let you to see the gorillas for one hour, whereas habituation permits allow you to see them for four hours. These permits cost differently.

Emailing us about your expedition and selected date makes booking Bwindi gorilla permits easy. The gorilla permit must be obtained in advance to reserve a trek position on any day, depending on travel dates and permit availability. Gorilla tracking requires eight persons per family, hence only four licenses per day are available for habituation.

You must get a gorilla permit months or days before visiting Bwindi Forest National Park to book a day’s trip. When you book an all-inclusive gorilla road trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with Katland Safaris, just tell us your preferred gorilla trekking dates and we will verify permit availability online. A permit payment invoice will be sent when we provisionally reserve your permit. You will get scanned Uganda Wildlife Authority receipts when we obtain your permission and payment.

Booking Bwindi gorilla permits is crucial for your gorilla expedition. Depending on permit availability on that day, you will pick a sector to hike amongst Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Buhoma. To create an unforgettable experience, choose the gorilla trek date on your birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Easter, or any other event. If Uganda wildlife system permits are available, we will buy and book them.

Book Bwindi gorilla permits when

Ugandan gorilla permits may be booked year-round, but we suggest scheduling months in advance. In peak season (December–February–July–August–September), gorilla permits sell out rapidly. Advance gorilla permit purchase allows you to trek the gorillas at your preferred time.  Advance booking lets you choose the gorilla hike sector, finest lodging, and gorilla family. All of this will arrange and customize your trip.

We also book last-minute Bwindi gorilla permits for travelers who are in Uganda for a conference, seminar, or a change of plans and want to do a gorilla trek on a weekend or any day they are free. Once you contact us, we will try to get you a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a reseller. Booking gorilla permits requires money to guarantee a trekking place.

Once you contact us, we will provide you an estimate for the amount of days you need, and you may choose dates that we will use to book your permits and accommodations, which are priority. We will pay for your trip plan and gorilla safari services once you pay. To reserve, contact us.

 

Minimum gorilla permit deposit

Booking Bwindi impenetrable National Park gorilla permits at least three months before trekking is crucial. To reserve your position for the trip, pay 30% of the gorilla permit fee, then 70% 90 days before the expedition. You may lose your permits and deposit if you don’t pay within 90 days.

Katland Safaris deposits 30% on permits for dates with limited permits using our credit while waiting for our account to be reimbursed if you completed a bank transfer. Online payment is fast—we receive the money in about five minutes and deposit your permits immediately. Uganda Wildlife Authority main offices in Kampala receive all monies and give a receipt for the requisite 30% payment and a booking reference to validate your gorilla permit.

Gorilla trekking vs. habituation

Bwindi impenetrable national park’s main activities for seeing endangered mountain gorillas are hiking and habituation. These activities vary, as stated below. Visitor-habituated gorillas are searched for in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park during gorilla trekking. Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC provide gorilla trekking.

You need a gorilla pass/permit to hike and watch gorillas for an hour in the jungle. To observe endangered mountain gorillas, you must hike in a tropical jungle on rocky, slippery terrain.  Gorilla trekking begins with an 8:00am briefing by park guides at each sector’s headquarters on hike rules.

Hike into the jungle following the mountain gorillas’ trail: trackers connect with guides, and once located, you spend one hour with them. Gorillas have 99% human DNA, and their family feeding, sleeping, and movement is fascinating.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park contains 17 habituated gorilla families for daily trekking, with a limit of 8 persons per family in Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija sectors. Gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that shouldn’t be missed.

You’ll get to see adults, juveniles, male gorillas (silverbacks and black backs), and female gorillas. Each gorilla family has a name and individual gorillas, and guides can identify them. You can do as many gorilla treks as you want by getting a permit per day.

While Gorilla habituation experience is visiting gorilla group that is not yet used to visitors and it is still under the process of getting used to tourists. This activity involves visiting the gorillas with researchers who are learning the behaviour of the group being habituated; this process can take even more than two years.

Gorilla habituation is a four-hour gorilla trek which was introduced in 2014 to cater for tourists that have less time but want to spend more hours with mountain gorillas while participating in activities geared to making these wild mountain gorillas get used to human beings.

Gorilla Habituation is done in the south of Bwindi between Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors, a gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 for Non- foreign residents per person per trek and gives you four hours with mountain gorillas as they move, feed, rest and live in the wild. Only four people are allowed to see these gorillas in Bwindi National Park per day and are allocated guides, researchers and rangers.

Gorilla habituation is done every day with or without tourists to ensure the gorilla group is fully habituated. It starts at 6:00am with a briefing and moves to the forest, where you can spend half or whole day. There are only four permits per day, so they are competitive, so you must book in advance.

 

Gorilla hiking age limit

Under the Uganda wildlife Authority policy, Gorilla trekking minimum age is currently at 15 years, and anyone below that age is considered a minor or child and thus not fit to trek the once-endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Children or minors may not be contained, and to avoid such, children or minors are not allowed to trek gorillas in Uganda’ Bwindi impenetrable National, a child may decide to make noise or run which may result into gorillas charging and becoming/act wild to visitors.

There are many reasons why children below 15 years are not allowed to trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is because children tend to have communicable diseases which can easily be transmitted to mountain gorillas since humans and mountain gorillas almost share the same genes, conditions such as cough and flu can easily be spread. The other reason is that the trek can sometimes be hard as Bwindi is hilly, it can be slippery, and the surface is rough which Kids many not be able to handle.

For easy management and care, children under 15 are usually grouped with their family for gorilla trekking in the forest. The passport port will be reviewed to ensure minors are not allowed to trek the gorillas, and if found, you won’t be allowed to trek even with a permit.

 

Tips for gorilla trekking

Tipping is customary in this part of the world, but not mandatory, and based on service levels. Tipping is a token of appreciation that motivates the person who received the tip. Tipping is key and cannot be denied on your Bwindi gorilla safari. Here are some of our passenger guidelines:

Tipping can be done with any currency, but we recommend hard cash, small bills of Dollar notes that are easy to distribute and don’t expect change, and Ugandan shillings, which you can exchange at the airport or have your driver guide stop you at the forex bureau at the start of your trip.

Gorilla Trekking Guides in Bwindi: Every gorilla family is assigned forest guides and park armed rangers who guide you during the trek, ensure your safety, slash the path with pangas, and give you a hand when needed. Tipping is essential; tips should be placed in the central tip box or delivered to the main guide, who will distribute USD15 per guest to all the trackers, guides,.

Gorilla trekking porters in Bwindi: You may hire a porter to carry your luggage, packed lunch, cameras, and aid you climb or slope on a rocky terrain. The porters are Bwindi residents who serve tourists. They normally cost USD15 per porter per day, and the journey costs USD15–20 per visitor, depending on workload.

Safari Driver/guides: Tipping is customary, and the driver guide picks you up from the airport/hotel on the first day of the safari and leads you through the final day. He represents Katland safaris, with which you booked a gorilla safari.

The driver-guide decides which routes to take, stops for meals and photos, and can answer any questions about wildlife, birds, people, culture, or other safari information. To thank the driver guides, USD 10-15 per day each visitor, usually 4-6 people per car.  Private two-person travelers should tip at their discretion. TIP per day or at the airport or hotel at the conclusion of the tour.

Lodge/camp staff: Waiters, waitresses, housekeepers, and bartenders provide meals, beverages, and clean cottages. Our recommendation is USD3-5 per guest/stay.  Many smaller lodges feature central tip bins for general tips.  At hotels and bigger companies, it is provided to successful employees at your discretion.

 

What to anticipate on gorilla trekking day?

Many travelers are unsure what to anticipate on gorilla trekking day, but our driving guides will enlighten you on the trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Here are some expectations;

On your gorilla trekking day, you’ll wake up at 6:00am, have breakfast at the lodge at 6:30am, and travel to the sector’s park headquarters. Drive time varies each lodging, from 10 to 1 hour. We usually propose lodgings near the park for customers’ convenience. You sit with other guests for briefing after your driver-guide presents your permits and passports to the park wardens for verification.

At 7:30, gorilla trekking rules and dos are explained. One gorilla family group will be assigned to you and eight guests will travel.  Visitors get walking sticks and travel into the jungle following the mountain gorilla track.

Once identified, they spend one hour with the gorillas and snap photos. The trip may take 30 minutes or three-quarters of the day, but once you discover gorillas, you will see how they eat, move, rest, and live and how guides interact with them.

Trekking groups form.

After eating lunch, you’ll return to the start and get a certificate for a successful gorilla hike in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The complimentary certificates include the walk date, gorilla family-group name, visitors’ names, and the national park. Drive back to the hotel for meal and sleep. We surpass your expectations with Katland safaris.

Gorilla hiking restrictions

Travelers interested in gorilla trekking in Uganda must follow the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s printed “Gorilla Rules” brochure.

In preparation for the gorilla trek:

Avoid gorillas if you have a cold or other contagious condition. Before traveling to the park, check with your doctor to make sure you’re well enough for the gorilla walk. The chief park ranger has the power to refuse you.

The minimum age for tracking is 15 years, which is verified upon sign-in for the gorilla trek when you produce your passport.

Human waste should be buried 30cm (15”) deep; the park ranger will dig a hole for you.

A limit of eight visitors per gorilla group helps manage forest movements and lowers mountain gorilla behavior during encounters.

Traveling to gorillas:

Keep your voice low. If you look closely, you may observe reptiles, birds, and other creatures.

DO NOT litter in the park. Bringing anything into the wilderness should be returned in your bag.

You may rest along the way.

When you approach the mountain gorillas, the guides will tell you to prepare for an amazing experience.

While with gorillas:

Avoid transferring airborne infections to mountain gorillas by staying 7m (21ft) away.

Smoking, eating, and drinking are banned. This may cause gorillas to attack and seize you.

If you sneeze or cough, hide your face and look away from the gorillas, who may get colds from people.

Visits last one hour each gorilla group every day.

Take caution and obey your ranger guide while shooting images. Avoid flash photography.

Ugandan gorilla tracking in Bwindi

Trek completion certificates for gorilla tracking

Gorilla trek gear: what to bring

When planning a gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest National Park, you should pack hiking boots, a rain jacket, garden gloves, long-sleeved shirts, khaki trousers, a backpack, drinking water, and energy-giving foods.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a tropical rain forest, which is wet, muddy, and thick, unlike Virunga, Volcanoes, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, which have montane vegetation. The finest Bwindi Forest National Park gorilla trekking gear is below.

Shirts and pants with long sleeves

Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers (Khaki zip-up or jeans), and waterproof pants. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts protect you from thorns, branches, and other sharp objects.

Hiking boats

Bwindi Forest National Park’s gorilla trekking involves trekking in a forest with different landscapes, including lowland areas covered in swamps and muddy when it rains, steep areas that require hiking up to find mountain gorillas, and hiking boots for easy movement through the forest.

Gloves for gardening

These gloves will shield you from stinging insects and tree branches you may use for support throughout the walk. Remember to grab on to tree branches in this forest since it might become slippery.

The Raincoat

Rain jackets and ponchos are essential gorilla trekking gear.  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical rain forest that receives rain year-round. Rain jackets are essential since you never know when it will rain.

Traveling in June, July, August, and September is preferred by many customers over March, April, and May. As a tropical rain forest, it may rain anytime. Rain jackets or ponchos should be packed for gorilla treks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park.

Energizing snacks and water

Gorilla hiking takes 30 minutes to eight hours, therefore fitness is needed. To complement, pack energy-boosting foods. Since you never know when you’ll return, bring a packed lunch and plenty of water before leaving your resort. Uganda has energy-boosting foods, so ask your guide to drive you to a shop.

Cameras, additional batteries

Your safari depends on photography, so bring your camera and charge its batteries. Bring additional batteries since you’ll need to shoot several photos throughout your hour with the gorillas. Turn off your flash while photographing gorillas.

Bug Spray

Your gorilla trip will include a variety of insects, thus bug repellant will protect you from these harmful biteers.

Warm sweater

Bwindi Forest National Park is a tropical rain forest with unpredictable rains year-round. It is located at an elevation of 1,190 to 2,607 meters, making the park and surrounding areas cold at night. Bring a sweater to stay warm after the trek.

Hat and Sunglasses

A hat and sunglasses are also needed for a gorilla hike. If it’s hot, bring a hat to block the sun. You may also require sunglasses.

Traveling gorilla sedan chair/stretchers

If you have a disability or are elderly and not fit enough to walk, sedan chairs are recommended for gorilla trekking, which involves walking for hours through the forest in search of mountain gorillas, which may take half a day, a full day, or even less than an hour.

 

Gorilla hiking sedan chair/stretchers for old and frail

Gorilla hiking sedan chair cost

Gorilla trekking sedan chairs cost individually based on the distance to discover the gorillas and return and the client’s weight. The price may be USD350–500. To meet the unique and endangered mountain gorillas, you must pay for transportation to and from the gorillas. Gorilla trekking sedan chairs are available in Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga sections of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, however reservations are required.

For gorilla trekking sedan chairs, contact Katland Safaris at booking so we can get them. We will verify availability for your gorilla trekking dates and inform you on the cost of a sedan chair and porters to transport you to and from the gorillas. If we can’t acquire a sedan chair, we’ll recommend a locally built one for less. Uganda is a superb example of offering ideal grounds for elderly and handicapped gorilla trekking. Tourists over 90 have seen gorillas here.

Lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is divided into Buhoma and Ruhija in the north, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. When booking your gorilla trek, you must first confirm the gorilla permits, which will determine where you stay in Bwindi. You can choose from budget,

Luxury Lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Trackers Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and Silverback Lodge are luxury Buhoma lodges.

Bakiga lodge, gorilla mist lodge, Ruhija gorilla resort, and Ruhija gorilla safari lodge provide affordable luxury services.

Rushaga luxury lodges include Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, and Four Gorillas Lodge.

Luxury lodges in Nkuringo Sector include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and Lake Mutanda Resort.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park guide

Luxury Bwindi lodging

Mid-range Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Lodges

Mid-range Buhoma lodges include Buhoma Community Haven Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Eco-marvels Gorilla Resort, and Engagi Lodge.

Bakiga lodge, gorilla mist lodge, Ruhija gorilla resort, and safari lodge are mid-range Ruhija lodges.

Rushaga Gorilla Camp and Icumbi Gorilla Lodge are mid-range lodges.

Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is a mid-range Nkuringo lodge.

Mid-range accommodations

Bwindi Silverback Lodge

Budget Lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Bwindi Crested Crane Hotel, Ride 4 a Woman, CHTP Gorilla Conservation Camp, Bwindi Guest House, and Bwindi View Bandas are budget lodges.

Gift of Nature Lodge, Trekkers Cottages Lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, and Gorilla Mist Lodge are budget Ruhija lodges.

Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Karungi Camp, and Nshongi Camp are budget lodges.

Budget Nkuringo lodges include Bwindi Backpackers Lodge and Wagtail Eco Lodge.

Community Rest Camp Buhoma

Broadbill Forest Camp

Lodge Rushaga Gorilla Haven

Bwindi lodging costs.

Budget lodges in Bwindi cost between USD50 and USD100 per person per night, mid-range lodges cost between USD100 and USD300, and luxury lodges cost between USD300 and USD500. These pricing may be modified based on how many nights you stay at the lodge for Bed&Breakfast, Half Board, or Full Board.

 

Other than gorilla trekking, Bwindi has other activities.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has much more to offer than gorilla trekking, so here are some of its other attractions.

 

Experience Gorilla Habituation

Only Uganda’s Bwindi Forest National Park offers gorilla habituation. This trip lets you spend four hours with habituated mountain gorillas. Book your gorilla habituation permit in advance to ensure your spot in Bwindi Forest National Park, Uganda, where only four individuals can do it. The search takes half or a day, depending on how long it takes.

 

Bwindi Forest birdwatching

Bwindi Forest National Park is home to many unique bird species, including Albertine Rift Endemic birds. You can go birding after gorilla trekking or spend a full day or half day there. Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, Please review our Kigali birding trip packages to Bwindi Forest National Park and contact us for a price. We can customize your Bwindi Forest National Park birding trip to your money, time, and interests.

 

Culture and community in Batwa

The Batwa people, known as pygmies, lived in Bwindi Forest National Park for many years until they were relocated to adjacent towns to help save mountain gorillas and promote tourism. From Kigali, Bwindi Forest National Park offers trails to show you how the pygmies lived, hunted, and harvested honey.

They will perform their dances and describe how they settled and lived good lives outside the jungle. You may undertake this activity the day you arrive from Kigali or after gorilla trekking. This activity may be booked in advance or on-site with your resort.

 

Volunteering

Batwa people, erstwhile forest dwellers, make up many of the settlements around Bwindi Forest National Park. Some children in Bwindi Forest National Park are orphans, while others are plagued with illnesses. Many have lost hope, like other African communities.

Volunteering may promote orphans’ mental health by providing academic materials, meals, and English lessons.  Send us a query and we can plan your vacation to Bwindi Forest National Park from Kigali to include volunteering in addition to gorilla trekking.

 

community engagement

Adventure bike tours.

Bwindi Forest National Park is high in altitude, making riding a must-do from Kigali. Bicycle safaris let you explore Bwindi Forest National Park’s local villages and exercise while doing so. If your resort is near the gorilla trekking start, you may ride a bike there.

We can arrange your vacation to include cycling in Bwindi Forest National Park from Kigali in addition to gorilla trekking. Send us a query and we will package it for you.

 

Safaris via nature

Bwindi Forest National Park is a tropical forest with over 300,000 years of history and indigenous tree species. Bwindi Forest is impenetrable due to its thick canopy, making nature walks enjoyable. On your nature walking safari, you will learn about different tree species, spot different bird species, and possibly see rare forest elephants, monkeys, baboons, and chimpanzees. You will also have the chance to blend yourself with nature by visiting the beautiful

 

Safari to Africa: Why?

Katland Safaris, one of the premier East African tour operators, has been arranging wonderful Bwindi impenetrable National Park experiences for 15 years and can provide you the finest advise on how to maximize your money. Our skilled safari designers and guides will make planning and executing your trip simple.

Ugandans own and administer Katland safaris, and half of your payment goes to community development and environmental conservation programs. I guarantee that a safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will work if you follow this simple plan. Katland safaris is recommended by travel advisor and safari reservations. Visit these sites to see what other customers think about us.

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