Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda is home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas and is the most popular place on Earth to see them: more than 20 habituated families can be visited from four trekking sectors — Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. A permit costs US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November) for one hour with a family, after a trek of anything from under an hour to several hours through steep rainforest.
This guide brings together everything you need to plan gorilla trekking in Bwindi, with links to our detailed guides on each topic.
Bwindi at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Location | South-western Uganda, on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Status | National park since 1991; UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 |
| Altitude | About 1,160–2,607 m |
| Mountain gorillas | At least 459 in the Bwindi–Sarambwe area (2018 census) |
| Trekking sectors | Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo |
| Permit | US$800; US$600 in April, May, November; habituation experience US$1,500 (US$1,800 from 2027) |
| Minimum age | 15 |
Why Bwindi is special
Bwindi is one of the oldest and most biologically rich forests in Africa, a steep maze of ridges and valleys that survived the last ice age. Alongside its gorillas, it is home to chimpanzees, several monkey species, forest elephants and around 350 bird species, including many found only in the Albertine Rift. Its name, usually translated as “impenetrable”, describes the dense undergrowth and tangled vines that make walking off the trails so hard. For more on its history and status, read Bwindi as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Choosing a sector
Your permit is for one sector, and the sectors are hours apart by road, so this is a key decision. Buhoma, in the north, has the widest choice of lodges and is easiest to reach by air via Kihihi. Ruhija, in the east, is the highest and best for birding. Rushaga, in the south, has the most gorilla families and is the only place for the habituation experience. Nkuringo, in the south-west, has spectacular views and the hardest treks. Rushaga and Nkuringo are closest to Kigali and Lake Bunyonyi. Read Bwindi’s sectors compared.
Trekking day
After a 07:30 briefing at your sector headquarters, you are assigned a family and a group of up to eight people and walk into the forest with a ranger guide, following trackers who found the family earlier that morning.
You spend one hour with the gorillas at a distance of at least 7 m, then walk back. Most people are back between early and late afternoon. Hiring a porter for around US$15–20 is strongly recommended. See how far you walk on a gorilla trek, the trekking rules and how fit you need to be.
Permits and booking
Permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority for a specific date and sector, paid in full when booked and limited to eight people per family per day. Book four to six months ahead for June–September and December–February. Read how gorilla permits work and the full cost of gorilla trekking.
Getting there
By road, Bwindi is 8–10 hours from Entebbe or Kampala, usually broken up with stops in other parks. Domestic flights from Entebbe reach Kihihi (for Buhoma) and Kisoro (for the southern sectors) in about an hour or two. Many travellers fly into Kigali in Rwanda instead, which is about 4–5 hours by road from Rushaga and Nkuringo. See Kigali to Bwindi by road and the 3-day fly-in itinerary.
When to go and what to pack
Trekking runs every day of the year. The drier months of June–September and December–February bring easier trails; April, May and November are wetter but offer the US$600 permit. It can rain in any month, and mornings are cool, so waterproof boots, a rain jacket, gloves and layers are essential. See the best time for gorilla trekking and our packing list.
Beyond the gorillas
Bwindi rewards an extra day. Community walks, Batwa cultural visits, forest trails and birding fill a rest day, and Lake Bunyonyi is a short drive from the southern sectors. Most visitors also add chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park on the way. See activities near Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Frequently asked questions
At least 459 mountain gorillas were counted in the Bwindi–Sarambwe area in 2018, roughly half of the world’s population.
At least two nights: arrive the day before your trek, trek, then rest or move on. Three nights allow a second activity or trek.
It depends on your route and fitness: Buhoma for fly-in trips, Rushaga for availability, Ruhija for birding and Nkuringo for views.
Tourism areas are well protected by rangers and receive visitors daily. Check your government’s current travel advice before booking.
