Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park is arguably the most popular tourism activity in Uganda. The activity takes you for a special encounter with Mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas can be found in four national parks – the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in DR Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda. Uganda hosts half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas. Uganda is also the only country where mountain gorillas can be found in two different national parks.

Located in Southwestern Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park is arguably the best place to see mountain gorillas. A UNESCO World heritage site, the park is called impenetrable because of the thick tree canopies found in the park that prevent sunlight from penetrating to the ground. There are 17 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi which is the highest anywhere. Bwindi is a convenient park to visit because it is located close to some of the best tourist attractions in Uganda.

Getting to Bwindi Forest

Bwindi impenetrable forest national Park can be accessed by air through Kajjansi/Entebbe or by road from Kampala. The journey by road from Kampala takes about 8 hours while a flight takes at most 2 hours. Some travelers avoid the long journey by road from Kampala by arriving through Kigali. The route from Kigali in Rwanda to Bwindi takes 4 hours.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest starts with a briefing at the park headquarters at around 7:30am. Visitors should sleep early before the day of tracking and wake up by 5am to take breakfast before starting the journey to the park office. After the briefing at the park office, trekkers are separated into smaller groups of 8. Each group of eight track a particular gorilla family. Some gorilla families live near the park offices while others are found further away. The Park Guides from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, two armed rangers and porters move with each group. The Guides are very experienced, knowledgeable and well-trained. While leading tourists to the gorillas, they will share information about the gorilla family and other animals found in the forest.

Gorilla habituation experience

Gorilla habituation is an experience where one gets to visit the mountain gorillas for more than the usual hours time, since these gorillas are being trained to live among-st human beings. The experience is so fascinating as it gives the tourist more time to learn about the mountain gorillas and their behaviors.

In Uganda gorilla habituation only happens in Rushaga gorilla sector which is south of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
The best time to do gorilla habituation in Uganda is during June to September and December to March.

Gorilla Trekking Sectors

Bwindi impenetrable national park has four gorilla trekking sectors which include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Mugahinga which was recently added. Rushaga has 5 gorilla families and is actually the only sector that is permitted for Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi National Park. For one to be able to visit Uganda and Bwindi national park, one ought to be prepared for the experience because it will be mind blowing.

Gorilla Families

Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are grouped in gorilla families which are given a gorilla sector to live in. The gorilla families usually have a silverback as the male and the one who runs the family. Gorillas are trekked according to the gorilla families and where they are located(Gorilla Sector). We provide you with a complete list of gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.