Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Safari suitability: 8/10
Find your tourExcellent for viewing the mountain gorilla. Due to the physical demands of a gorilla trekking safari, Bwindi is recommended for those who are physically capable of trekking in rough conditions.
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Highlights
- Mountain gorillas
- Best months to visit are June through August
- Home to several other species of primate
About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Situated in southwest Uganda and established in 1991, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is roughly 330 km² (128 mi²) and is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Like Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi’s main attraction is the mountain gorilla. It is estimated that around 300 mountain gorillas live in the lush hills within the park. Bwindi is also home to several other species of primate, including the following: Blue Monkey, Black and White Colobus Monkey, baboon, chimpanzee and the Red-tailed Monkey. The park is also a birdwatchers’ paradise, with several hundred species of birds found here and over 200 species of butterfly.
The trek to see the gorillas can take several hours and consists of hiking uphill through dense rain forest foliage such as bamboo and wild celery. Due to the high levels of precipitation, the ground is often wet and slippery and sturdy hiking boots and full-length trousers are strongly recommended.
Due to the primates' susceptibility to human viruses, such as the common cold, gorilla tours are strictly regulated. Guests are permitted only one hour of viewing and are required to remain within a certain distance of them. Visitors who are ill or who are recovering from an illness must not go on safari and, in most cases, will be refunded 100% of their fees when they properly notify their tour operators.
When to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi's seasons are similar to those of Volcanoes, with distinct wet and dry seasons. The months of March, April and November bring heavy rains to the park, which make trekking in the steep hills of Bwindi more difficult, and are the low seasons. Lower-priced trekking permits were once available during these three months only but, in 2019, the discount pricing was discontinued. The drier months of June through August are also the cooler months, which make the trekking slightly less strenuous and the humid climate more tolerable.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a number of plant and tree species with a thick under growth of forest fans and mimlopsis common food for the resident ape mountain gorilla it hosts half population of the worlds mountain gorillas that live in groups of up to 20 members led by a silver back. The brown-eyed furred animals do not live in captivity but rather enjoy the forest. Other animals are present like elephants and mountain duikers, although they are rarely seen.
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It was fun to visit Bwindi. I had the best experience in gorilla trekking and interacting with the gorillas physically.
Have you ever encountered the Mountain Gorillas at close range? Well, if not visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for magical moments with the Gorillas. Located in South-western Uganda on the edge of Albertine Rift, Bwindi Park is known for its exceptional flora and fauna. Many types of birds and butterflies can also be found there, as well as many endangered species, including the mountain gorilla. You have to traverse through the mist covered hillsides blanketed by the diverse rain forest. The forest is hardly accessible hence termed "impenetrable" With knowledgeable and experienced guides you don't have to worry-since most of the guides are locals and well versed with Ugandan terrains. Gorilla trucking is fun, imagine coming up and close with the Gorillas. This is just an incredible feeling! Gorillas are reliably trucked on foot, it can be tiring but also fun. We spent about 2 hours trucking through the dense forest-pumping to a beautiful mother gorilla with her young one entangled on the chest. Cameras clicked as we captured every moment. I can confidently commend this as the most thrilling wildlife experience ever.
The Mgahinga National Park in Uganda was great, My clients really enjoyed the adventure. I really recommend this tour to everyone who wants a lifetime experience
it was a dream come true and was one of the best experience. The gorilla trekking was excellent. One must be relatively fit for this adventure as it is a lot of walking up hill. I would encourage everyone to go for this great adventure.
With nearly 54% of the wild gorilla population, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in second to none. The park is accessible by road and air and has some of the best lodges in the region. If you are looking for gorilla trekking in Africa, Bwindi is the place to go
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the world's capital of mountain gorillas and a trek to one of the habituated gorilla families is well worth it. This haven is highly recommended.
One of the most friendly animals in the world, when they meet with people they feel like meeting with siblings. They carry 95.8% of the human DNA. Don't hesitate to visit these non violent half humans. There is feeling like standing face to face with a half human giant.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park is one of a kind. A thick dense forest harboring many plant and animals species. While there are about 1063 mountain gorillas in the wild, more than half of this resides in Bwindi Impenetrable forest. With four sectors and each with several gorilla families, this park is the best place for gorilla trekking. As a tour company, we have arranged several group and private tours to this impenetrable forest and not even one person missed seeing the gorillas. Whoever is considering to go gorilla trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest should be your first choice.
This was a fantastic holiday and all the safaris camps were great, a trip to Bwindi National Park is gifted with fantastic view to the endangered mountain gorillas over 540 of these great apes live only to this park. We spent a few days in Bwindi and we would recommend this place as being truly outstanding.
Australia
In August 2019, I had to opportunity to hike into the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Our goal was to find mountain gorillas, however, it wasn't all that we saw. From insects to birds and monkeys to elephants, this forest is full of life. We drove from the rangers head quarters for about 20 mins before we set off on foot. From where we started walking to the forest was about 15 mins, down hill. You can see as your surroundings change around you from dirt and tea plantations to thick dense bush. We walked across a rickety bridge and into the forest. Trackers went out a few hours before us to track the gorillas and about 45 mins into our walk, up very steep mountains, we had a radio call to say that they had found the gorillas and they were staying with them. At this stage, the gorillas were another hour away from where we were. The hike is hard and you definitely require a medium fitness level at least; however, it is worth it when you come down the other side of the mountain and a female gorilla is sitting in the shrubs eating and grooming. This female gorilla then followed us as we walked past and headed down to the others who were a short walk away. The rangers ensure you give the gorillas a good distance so that they do not feel surrounded. I recommend anyone with a passion for wildlife and hiking heads to Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, to see these beautiful animals. It is definitely one of the worlds last truly wild places. With only 800 left in the wild mountain gorillas are a must-see.
The following airlines travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
AeroLink Uganda Limited is a domestic airline offering both scheduled and charter flights into Uganda's national parks. From its base at Entebbe International Airport, AeroLink using its Cessna Grand Caravans, offers daily flights into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Kihihi and Kisoro airstrips), Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kasese and Mweya airstrips), Murchison Falls (Bugungu, Pakuba and Chobe airstrips), Semuliki National Park (Semliki airstrip) and Kidepo Valley National Park (Apoka airstrip). Effective 1st June 2019, in partnership with its sister company Airkenya Express Limited, Aerolink commenced scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport to the famous Maasai Mara in Kenya via Kisumu International Airport for Immigration. AeroLink Uganda is affiliated to Airkenya Express in Kenya and Regional Air Services in Tanzania. Visit website
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Based in Kampala, operates scheduled and charter services across eastern and central Africa. Eagle Air is a Private Ltd Company specialising in the provision of Charter and Schedule Air services both within Uganda and around the East & Central Africa Region. Eagle Air was incorporated as an air operator in June 1994. Visit website
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Precision Air is a publicly-listed Tanzanian airline and a leader in providing scheduled flight services to over 10 destinations within and outside Tanzania from its main hub Dar es Salaam. The company operates on the principle that quick, comfortable and reliable service is the best way to serve its customers. Through its customer-focused approach, many have become part of the Precision Air family. Precision Air started with its headquarters in Arusha - the midpoint between the Cape and Cairo, which is the entry point to many of Tanzania's world-renowned landmarks and national parks. The headquarters of Precision Air are now Dar es Salaam, the business complex of the country, which is home to a vast size of traffic travelling within and outside Tanzania. Visit website
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