Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Why Bwindi is the gorilla headliner

Bwindi is one of the oldest and most biologically diverse forests in Africa, and it holds nearly half of the world’s roughly 1,000 mountain gorillas. The rest are in the Virunga Mountains, which straddle Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. That makes Bwindi the single most important place for gorilla trekking.

The forest is dense, steep and misty, and the trek is part of the experience. You climb narrow trails with trackers who cut through vegetation, then suddenly find a family group at rest in a forest clearing. You get one hour with the gorillas, and it goes quickly.

The four sectors

Bwindi’s gorilla groups are spread across four sectors, and where you trek affects your journey.

• Buhoma (north): the oldest sector, with plenty of lodges and forest walks, including a waterfall trail and community visits.
• Ruhija (east): at higher altitude, quiet and good for birdwatching, with fewer groups.
• Rushaga (south): the largest number of gorilla groups, and where the gorilla habituation experience is offered.
• Nkuringo (southwest): dramatic hilltop views over the forest and volcanoes, but with steep terrain.

Permits are assigned to a sector when you book, so the choice matters for logistics. Ask your operator which groups are nearby and what the terrain is like.

Permits and costs

As of September 2026, a gorilla trekking permit for foreign non-residents costs US$800 in the main season, and US$600 in April, May and November. A gorilla habituation experience, where you spend up to four hours with a group that’s being accustomed to humans, costs more, at about US$1,500. Permits are sold through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a tour operator. The authority suspended its seven-day reservation hold in March 2026, so expect to pay at the time of booking. Read the full gorilla trekking guide for the details on how to book.

Lodges range from budget guesthouses to luxury forest lodges with fireplaces and views. Bring porters if you can: it costs a modest fee and supports local livelihoods.

When to go

The drier periods, June to September and December to February, are the most comfortable. Trails are less muddy and the views are better. The wet seasons, March to May and October to November, bring heavy rain and slippery trails, but treks still run and permits are cheaper in April, May and November.

Getting there

From Kigali, it’s about five to six hours by road to Bwindi via Kabale or Kisoro. From Entebbe, the drive is eight to ten hours. Domestic flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Kihihi (for the north and Buhoma) or Kisoro (for the south) take about 1.5 hours and save a full day each way. Some travellers combine Bwindi with Queen Elizabeth National Park and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha on the route.

What to pack and expect

Wear long trousers, sturdy hiking boots and gardening gloves. Carry rain gear and a waterproof daypack. The forest is cool and often wet, and you’ll be climbing. You can’t trek with a cold or other respiratory infections, because gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases.