The forest
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers steep hills and valleys of ancient rainforest in south-western Uganda, on the edge of the Albertine Rift. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, rich in birds, butterflies, trees and primates — and above all mountain gorillas, with many habituated families that visitors can track. See gorilla trekking in Uganda.
The four trekking sectors
Gorilla treks start from four areas around the forest. Your permit is for a specific sector, so your lodge should be close to it:
- Buhoma (north) — the original trekking area, with many lodges and the Batwa experience nearby.
- Ruhija (east) — high and cool, excellent for birding.
- Rushaga (south) — many gorilla families; also offers the longer habituation experience.
- Nkuringo (south-west) — dramatic views, and often steep treks.
We match your permit and lodge so you don't face a long drive on the morning of your trek.
Getting there
- From Entebbe by road: a long day's drive — around nine hours on our 4-day Bwindi trek — through green hills and villages.
- By air: domestic flights from Entebbe to airstrips near the forest, followed by a short drive.
- From Kigali, Rwanda: the southern sectors are a few hours by road from Kigali, across the border.
- As part of a circuit: from Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector, as on our 10-day and 14-day trips.
Meet the Batwa
The Batwa people lived as hunter-gatherers in these forests for generations before the park was created. Community-led experiences share their traditions, forest skills, music and stories — and support the community. Our trips include time with the Batwa.
Other things to do
- Guided forest walks to waterfalls
- Birding — Bwindi has many Albertine Rift endemic species
- Village and tea-plantation walks
- Relaxing at Lake Bunyonyi, a beautiful lake of islands a short drive south
Weather and comfort
Bwindi is high, so days are mild and nights cool — bring a warm layer. It can rain at any time; the driest months are June to September and December to February. See the best time to visit.
