Gorilla Tours in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the south western part of Uganda on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo next to the Virunga National Park on the edge of the Albertine rift valley. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known for the mountain gorillas with a number over 459 approximately half of the world’s population.

The park comprises of 400 plant species with over 350 bird species, 23 Albertine rift endemics, more than 200 butterfly species, 8 Albertine endemics and a home of many reptiles.

Bwindi impenetrable national park also consists of about 324 tree species, 120 mammals among which are the baboons and chimpanzees, African forest elephants as well as antelopes.

When to visit Bwindi

Bwindi impenetrable national park is open to visitor throughout the year however the best time to visit the park is during the dry season and in Uganda we have two dry seasons which are from the month of December to February and from June to September.

All the tourists intending to go gorilla trekking are advised to obtain their gorilla trekking permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in advance to avoid in convinces during their travel to Bwindi Impenetrable national park.

How to get there and away

Bwindi impenetrable national park can be accessed using different routes. Here is information to help you get to Bwindi impenetrable national park either by road or air.

BY ROAD

The park can be accessed by road but it is 520 kilometers from Kampala the capital city of Uganda and it is advisable for you to use a 4×4 safari vehicle for you to enjoy the journey taking the following routes:

You can move from Kampala to Kabale which is about 414 kilometers and about 5-8 hours’ drive, then from Kabale to Kanyantorogo to Buhoma park headquarters which is about 120 kilometers a 3.5 hours’ drive.

Alternatively you can as well move from Kampala to Kabale which is about 414 kilometers and then proceed from Kabale to Ruhija and finally to Buhoma which is about 95 kilometers a 3hours drive. From Queen Elizabeth national park to the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park is about           2-3hours drive.

Or from Kampala via Mbarara about 6-8hours drive or from Kabale town to the southern part is 1-2hours drive and all these routes converge at Butogota which is 17 kilometers from the Buhoma entrance gate.

All junctions on the road from Kabale to Buhoma have sign posts (Bwindi national park.

 BY AIR

The nearest international airport to Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda is Entebbe international airport. You can fly direct into the park from Entebbe airport.

Where to stay

Would you like to go gorilla trekking in Uganda and from Bwindi impenetrable national park but wondering about where to stay? Worry no more Bwindi impenetrable national park and its neighboring towns impressively have a number of hotel and lodging facilities. The collective hotel and lodging options include luxury, rustic (mid-range) and budget, camping sites and more.

The different parts of Bwindi impenetrable national park has various accommodation facilities regardless of the part you are trekking from, there are facilities that will always suit your demand.

What to pack for a Bwindi trip

Do I need to pack when visiting Bwindi impenetrable national park? Yes I do. Here are some one the necessary things you need during your visit to the park.

Gorilla trekking permits

This is very essential especially when one intends to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. It is a must for one to have this permit to enter the park and observe gorillas. This permit can be obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) before you visit and it is advisable to obtain it in advance in order to avoid inconveniences once you reach the park.

Valid passport and visa

Visitors must have valid passports and obtain visa in advance. You should check the visa requirements for your country before travelling to Uganda.

Comfortable hiking shoes

It is important to wear comfortable hiking shoe with good grip because hiking in Bwindi involves hiking through dense forests and ragged terrain.

Long sleeved shirts and pants

This is so important because it can protect you from scratches and insect bites during hiking.

Rain jackets

Since Bwindi impenetrable national park is a rainforest and experiences frequent rainfalls, it is important to carry a rain jacket to keep warm.

Insect repellent

Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home to many insects including mosquitoes and ticks which can cause sicknesses like malaria therefore it is important to carry insect repellents.

Cameras

This is essential to capture the incredible moments during your gorilla trekking experience and other wildlife sightings.