Bwindi Forest National Park

Bwindi Forest National Park is located in the southern part of Uganda sharing a border with Congo, it is one of the only two national parks in Uganda where you can trek and see the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat in the world, it is home to more than half of the only remaining Mountain Gorillas in the wild making it famous and best place to trek the Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Forest National Park is located in the southern part of Uganda sharing a border with Congo, it is one of the only two national parks in Uganda where you can trek and see the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat in the world, it is home to more than half of the only remaining Mountain Gorillas in the wild making it famous and best place to trek the Mountain Gorillas.

Bwindi Forest National Park has four main sections which include Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors found in the southern side of the park and Buhoma and Ruhija found in the northern side of the park. All sides of the park are easy to access depending on which side you are coming from going to Bwindi for gorilla trekking and other activities. For those coming from Kampala or Entebbe going to Bwindi the northern side is more accessible for gorilla trekking and other activities compared to the southern side of Bwindi. For those coming from Kigali, Rwanda going to Bwindi the southern side is more accessible for gorilla trekking and other activities.

What is the cost of gorilla permits in Bwindi Forest National Park?

The Bwindi gorilla permit costs USD700 per person for Non-Foreign Residents, USD600 for Foreign Residents and Shs.250, 000 for East African Citizens. The gorilla habituation permits cost USD1500 per person for Non- Foreign Residents, USD1000 for Foreign Residents and Uganda Shs. 750,000 per person for East African Citizens.  This habituation permit allows you to view the gorillas for four hours once you find them as you see the way they move, feed, rest, and live in families.

Even though Uganda has more gorilla permits, they tend to sell out so very quickly during the high season (January, February, July, August, September, and December every year. Once you contact us about your planned trek and desired dates, we shall check the availability of permits online system for Uganda Wildlife Authority and if permits are available, we shall send you an invoice to make payment for the permits as they are top priority and if they are not available, you will choose other dates that have availability of permits. Once we receive payment, we shall book and secure your permits and send you a copy of the receipt with booking ID to confirm your trek.

What is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park?

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is done throughout the year and The best time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is during the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in the Forests, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the primates offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact primates don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available in the forest compared to the dry seasons. Seeing gorillas in Bwindi is possible throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing them in their natural habitats.

Other activities to do in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include

Bird watching Experience     

Bwindi Forest National Park is a home to various unique bird species including the Albertine Rift Endemic birds and it is a place to be for Bird watchers, Key bird species to spot on your birding tour in Bwindi National Park include Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing. We do organize birding packages to Bwindi Forest National Park, with professional birding guides you are able to identify different birds.

Batwa Cultural experience

The Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet, a profusion of exotic plants and animals that includes the endangered mountain gorilla. For thousands of years, the forest was also home to an indigenous people called the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa were known as “The Keepers of the Forest.” Of the ancient Bwindi Jungle. The Batwa survived by hunting small game using arrows or nets and gathering plants and fruit in the rain forest. They lived in huts constructed of leaves and branches, moving frequently in search of fresh supplies of food. The Batwa lived in harmony with the forest and its creatures, including the mountain gorillas, for millennia. Some anthropologists estimate that pygmy tribes such as the Batwa have existed in the equatorial forests of Africa for 60,000 years or more.

In 1992, the Bata were removed/Evicted from the forest when the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest became a national park and World Heritage Site to protect the 350 endangered mountain gorillas within its boundaries, so they had to occupy unforested Land. The Batwa cultural experience is one of the topmost things to do in Buhoma s you will the opportunity to experience this unique culture, dances, traditions like hunting, fruit gathering among others.

Community Walks

There is a three-hour village walk begins with a visit to the handicraft shop selling handmade artefacts such as fabrics, beeswax candles and wood carvings, all produced by talented local craftsmen and women. The neighboring Batwa community performs songs and dances about their former life in the forest, introducing you to another unique local culture. You will also meet the traditional healer who treats the sick with medicinal plants, and the teachers and pupils of the local primary school. Finally, you can learn how bananas are used to make juice, beer and gin and taste the results. You will encounter the local community members as you experience the African culture.

Shopping at Local Crafts for souvenirs 

Going shopping at local shops especially the Batwa Craft Bandas for authentic and unique craft items which are locally made by the local people in the community.  You will be able to shop souvenirs made by raw materials locally and this will support the communities in Bwindi region of Bwindi.

Nature and Forest walks

Forest walks are ideal when you visit Bwindi Forest National Park. Bwindi is made up of a tropical forest which is one of the oldest forests in the world existing for more of the past 250,000 years back; it has ancient tree species and some of them endemic to this forest. It is as well known to be impenetrable due to its thick canopy making nature walks enjoyable, on your nature walking safari in Bwindi Forest you will have a chance to learn about different tree species, spot different bird species as well have a chance to sight different animals including rare forest elephants if lucky, monkeys, baboons.

Where to stay in Bwindi.

Bwindi National Park has many Lodges and hotels ranging from Budget, Midrange, Luxury and Upmarket. Depending on your budget and availability of space, you will choose the best lodge with en-suite private toilet and bathroom, access to power, Wi-Fi and standard service as per the gorilla tour package booked with us, you can opt to stay at Rushaga gorillas Havens Lodge, Rushaga Camp, Buhoma community rest camp as budget, Buhoma Havens as Midrange, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany springs as a luxury option and Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp as the Upmarket Lodge. All these lodges have great views of the forest and very calm and comfortable for your stay.

Why Book your Gorilla Safari to Bwindi with Eco Adventure Safaris

We at Eco Adventure Safaris our mission is to create life-changing and impactful adventures which begin the moment you arrive in Africa. We are on a journey to transfer the normal way of how to explore Africa, that is on all our trips in Africa you have an optional opportunity to take part in activities mostly life-changing and giving hope to the communities as well conserving for future generations such as planting a tree, volunteering and Packing for A Purpose among others. From our airport meet and great, welcome services to our private and group transfers to safari destinations your Adventure safari is well planned and managed. We have a strong concern on conserving the environment on all our trip we discourage where possible no to pack non-recyclable items and carry reusable items like water bottles among other important aspects to protect the environment.