Uganda · National park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

An hour with the mountain gorillas

Size

About 331 km²

Location

South-west Uganda

Best time

Jun–Aug and Dec–Feb

Known for

Mountain gorillas

About the park

An ancient rainforest on steep hills

Bwindi protects one of Africa's oldest rainforests, spread over steep ridges and valleys on the edge of the Albertine Rift. Its name means impenetrable, and with dense undergrowth, tangled vines and mist in the mornings, it lives up to it. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bwindi is home to roughly half of the world's mountain gorillas. Habituated families are visited by small groups of up to eight people, once a day, for one unforgettable hour. Permits are limited and need to be booked well in advance, which we arrange for you.

Highlights

Why visit Bwindi

Gorilla trekking

Sit quietly near a gorilla family as they feed, play and rest.

Forest hikes

Treks can take from 1 to 6 hours on steep, muddy trails.

Albertine birds

Around 350 species, including many found only in this region.

Batwa & community

Meet the Batwa people and visit local craft and coffee projects.

When to visit

Gorilla trekking runs all year. The drier months, June to August and December to February, have easier trails. March to May and October to November are wetter, but permits are easier to get and the forest is at its greenest.

Wildlife you may see

Mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, l'Hoest's monkey, black-and-white colobus, forest elephant (rarely seen), duikers and around 350 bird species including the African green broadbill.

Getting there

About 1–1.5 hours by scheduled flight from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro, then a road transfer. By road it is a full day, about 8–10 hours from Kampala, often broken at Lake Mburo or Queen Elizabeth.

Visit with Asili

Safaris to Bwindi

6 days

Plan your gorilla trek

Gorilla permits are limited and sell out months ahead. Tell us your dates and we'll secure your permits first.

Enquire now