Guide to Planning Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi

Guide to planning Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Uganda gorilla tracking safaris with gorilla permits

Guide to Planning Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi, Nestled in the southwestern part of Uganda, bordering the Rift Valley, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a haven of mist-covered hillsides blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most ecologically diverse rainforests. moreover, with a history spanning over 25,000 years, this verdant wonderland harbors approximately 400 plant species, each contributing to the park’s rich tapestry of life. Notably, this ancient rainforest is also the residence of an estimated 400 Mountain Gorillas, constituting roughly half of the global Mountain Gorilla population, spread across various habituated groups available for tracking.

Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

There are different activities one can do while in Bwindi Forest National Park, even if you are an outdoor adventure traveler targeting to hike the trails or in search of meeting the great Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat, your delight is in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.

Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest

Gorilla tracking is a fascinating activity, each year hundreds of travelers from the whole world visit Bwindi forest to see and spend some time with the Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat, an activity well known as Gorilla trekking or Gorilla tracking.

Hiking in Bwindi Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is among the ideal destinations for hiking. Just recently, Bwindi was recognized and voted as the best hiking destination by CNN. Different trails in Bwindi forests are in place to enable travelers to explore the impenetrable forest to the fullest. There are leading hiking trails within Bwindi Forest National Park. Like

The Batwa Trail Experience

The Batwa trail is a must-do for most of the travelers exploring the Bwindi forest, enjoying the convincing Batwa experience within the Buhoma or Rushaga regions which were previously home to the Batwa people. Embark on a captivating journey into the past through the minds and eyes of the Batwa pygmies. Witness firsthand the life they once led within the depths of Bwindi Forest, exploring their intimate connection to the caves, the food they gathered, and the medicines they crafted from the natural world. Gain a profound understanding of their existence before they were relocated from their ancestral home. Guide to Planning Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi

Plan your tour of Bwindi’s impenetrable national park

Do you want to visit Bwindi’s impenetrable forest national park? well, safari vacations and travel services have you covered, and let’s plan such that the moment you step in the park, you don’t have any hiccups and no wasting time rather than experiencing the forest and its treasures.

Don’t be stressed by the logistics of the trip itself. Be it a Hiking tour or a gorilla trek that you want to do, the next information can be helpful and you can always contact safari vacations and travel services for more inquiries and a summary of the whole planning.

What to pack for Gorilla Tracking?

• Drinking water
• Waterproof hiking boots or shoes
• wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers
• daypack for your lunch in case the trek takes longer hours
• insect repellent

Note; do not forget to pick a walking stick at the briefing point or at your lodge which will give you support on the sometimes slippery parts.

Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Getting to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park for a holiday begins after you have landed at Entebbe International Airport Kampala Uganda or Kigali International Airport Rwanda.

Kigali-Rwanda is the most liked gateway to south-western Uganda where Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are situated. These two parks are the most populated and they possess a huge number of gorilla tracking spots in the pearl of Africa.

The perfect way of getting to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is either by Air or by Road.

Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Most of the gorilla safaris to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park start from either Kampala or Entebbe.

Visitors can access Bwindi from Queen Elizabeth National Park in the north, which is approximately a 2-3 hour drive from Kabale in the south (1-2 hours).

The roads meet at Butogota, 17km from the Buhoma entrance gate and in these, we recommend a 4×4 safari customized vehicle during the wet season. Consequently, the distance and way to Bwindi Forest National Park for gorilla trekking is roughly 9-10 hours driving on the road and about 1 hour and 30 minutes on a flying safari.

By Air

There are alternatives of flying a traveler can select from, to fly to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield. Close to Kampala to Kisoro Airstrip for travelers tracking Mountain Gorillas in the southern region of Rushaga and Nkuringo, while travelers tracking Mountain Gorillas in the northern region of Buhoma fly to Kihihi Airstrip.

By Road

From Queen Elizabeth National Park through Kihihi to Buhoma (3-4 hours) Kampala –Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma(9-10 hours), Kampala through Mbarara city (9-10) hours, Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu (10 hours), we highly recommend a 4×4 tourist vehicle for the journey since the roads are slippery and muddy most especially in the rainy seasons.

Travelers who opt for public transportation can board a bus from Kampala to reach the southern region of Bwindi National Park via Mbarara City, continuing through Kabale to Kisoro Town. Alternatively, they can take a bus from Kampala to the northern part of Bwindi, following the route through Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kihihi, and finally to Butogota. While on these buses, travelers are advised to remain vigilant about their belongings and keep them within close reach. In short, clients who always travel by road have a great opportunity to explore the countryside and enjoy the fascinating attractions along the road.

Gorilla Permits

Travelers to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi must have obtained a gorilla permit. As we speak, the Gorilla permits cost USD700 per permit per person.

Safari Vacations and Travel Services designs itineraries in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC with over 10 years of experience and we are proud of our reputation for executing some of the most highly-rated vacation experiences. Our local consultants plan your preferred itinerary using expert ground knowledge. We take care of all the local logistics like permits, accommodation, and transport. And also, manage your entire trip, from start to finish.

And for inquiries, advice on how to plan for this safari, booking the hiking permits; organizing transport and accommodation, getting in touch with safari vacations and travel services, we help you to avoid inconveniences after you have arrived for the safari.