Mountain Gorilla Trekking guide in  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Are you interested in embarking on a mountain gorilla trip in the National Park of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest? One of Uganda’s most breathtaking parks, Bwindi draws lots of tourists every year from all over the world.

If you don’t have the opportunity to see Bwindi while on a gorilla trip in Uganda, you won’t believe its much-lauded charms and breathtaking natural beauty. This unspoiled location is close to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in western Uganda.

One of the main draws for tourists to Uganda during their African vacations is Bwindi; many have come back for the same tour, only to realize their lifelong dreams.

The park gets its name from the well-known and long-standing “Bwindi Impenetrable Forest” in Uganda. Part of the Park’s area is made up of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to numerous wildlife species. The most common inhabitants of the forest are mountain gorillas, although there are also elephants and several bird species.

How to Reach the Impenetrable Forest of Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Trekking in a National Park
One of Uganda’s parks, Bwindi National Park, is situated in the nation’s southwest. You could be able to go to the park by car or via plane.

The largest and capital city of Uganda, Kampala, is about 8 to 9 hours’ drive from Bwindi National Park via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara road. Along the trip, there will be lunch in Mbarara and a stop at the equator.

Alternatively, you can take a private charter from Entebbe airport to the Kisoro airstrip, where a driver/guide will accompany you to Bwindi or your pre-arranged accommodation.

Gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Gorilla trekking is without a doubt the most well-liked safari activity in Uganda and the main draw for travelers. Because of its primary draw—the gorillas—the park is the most well-liked and sought-after travel destination in Uganda.

These critically endangered apes live in just three countries worldwide: Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

With more than half of these critically endangered apes living in Bwindi National Park, Uganda is home to the largest proportion of these animals worldwide. Most of Uganda’s gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The majority of visitors to this park are drawn by the variety of gorilla species and the choice of lodging alternatives.

On a gorilla tour of this stunning park, you might observe other primates like chimpanzees, but keep in mind that the area is exclusively home to mountain gorillas. Don’t expect to see other gorilla species like Eastern Lowland Gorillas, Western Gorillas, and others. The only park in the world where chimpanzees and mountain gorillas coexist is Bwindi.

Mountains with bamboo forests and greater elevations are common habitats for mountain gorillas. They live in groups called gorilla families, which are headed by dominant male silverbacks. As of this writing, there are only 18 gorilla families in Bwindi that allow visitors on a regular basis, and each family only allows 8 visitors per day.

Bwindi is a place where you may be guaranteed to see or meet gorillas because of their variety; no traveler has ever gone on a safari and missed a peek. It is necessary to be physically fit because some families wish to go further into the valleys.

What is the number of gorilla families?

As mentioned before, the highest concentration of habituated and accessible trekking gorilla families is found in Bwindi. There seem to be about eighteen gorilla families spread out throughout its four areas. Families are kept in the park as a habituation experience.

There are four locations in Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking.

In Bwindi, gorilla trekking is mostly conducted in the four sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

The northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the Buhoma sector. It is home to four habituated gorilla families: the newest, the Katwe Gorilla family, the oldest, the Mubare, and the Habinyanja and Rushegura groups.

The southern part of the park is home to the Rushaga Sector. With more than seven gorilla families—the Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye, Nshongi, Bikingi, and Mishaya—this area of the park has the highest number of gorilla families.

Ruhija Sector is situated 2350 meters above sea level in the eastern part of Bwindi. Bitukura, Kyaguriro, and Oruzogo are the three gorilla families that call it home.

Nkuringo region: About 40 kilometers north of Kisoro, in southern Uganda, is this Bwindi region. Bushaho, Christmas, and Nkuringo are the three gorilla families who live in this area. Every day, more than 144 people visit gorillas because only eight members of each gorilla family are allowed to visit them. All of these gorilla families are prepared to welcome guests.

Which sector should I pick from these options?

All of the Bwindi sectors are good for gorilla trekking; however, Rushaga is the best option if you’re looking for variation, and many tourists choose Buhoma sector because that’s where the headquarters are. Hiking in the Buhoma area is recommended for those who wish to combine a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park with a gorilla trek in Bwindi.

Without a doubt, the majority of tourists to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park want to go gorilla trekking. Each gorilla family typically hosts eight guests in groups for daily gorilla trekking. After reporting to the park headquarters in Buhoma for training on what to do and what not to do while among the gorillas, and after being assigned to a park ranger guide who will lead this session, the activity starts very early in the morning.

After that, enter the bush far enough to start the task. Because gorilla trekking can take anywhere from one to eight hours, depending on where the gorillas have been seen recently or where they have spent the night, it is an unexpected activity. After you locate them, you have only one hour to spend with them. They will be consuming food, chuckling, and interacting. While taking as many pictures and films as you like is allowed, using a flush camera is not.

When is the best time to go mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?

While gorilla trekking is available year-round in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it is recommended to visit during the dry season, when precipitation is lower. Strong downpours could halt you during the rainy season, and trekking through the muddy, slick jungle paths is challenging.

What’s needed to get to know gorillas?

To visit and trek with these critically endangered mountain gorillas, you must get a gorilla permit. Hiking with gorillas requires a gorilla permit, which is required for everyone who wants to travel with the primates. In Uganda, a gorilla permit is $700 USD per person; however, until June 30th, 2021, permits are being sold for $400 USD per person due to Covid-19. In addition, hikers need to meet certain physical requirements, such as being at least fifteen years old, and possess trekking gear, including appropriate walking shoes or boots.