Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Witness the gorilla andthe chimpanzee
Best Time to Go
June - September, December - February
Famous For Over 2M+
mountain gorillas, chimpanzees
UNESCO
World Heritage Site
Peak Time
June - October
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Location & Size
- Location: Southwestern Uganda
- Area: 321 square kilometers
- Coordinates:0°53′S , 29°39′E
- Elevation: 1,160 meters (3,805 ft)
Establishment
- Founded: 1951
- UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site (1994)
- Management: Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
- Ecosystem: Montane rainforest
Ecosystem Type
- Primary Habitat: Montane rainforest
- Climate: montane rainforest,
- Rainfall: 1,400 to 2,000 millimeters annually
- Seasons: Dry (June-September, December-February)) and Rain (March-May, Octobe-November)
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi: Where Gorillas Roam and Nature Thrives
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, located in southwestern Uganda near the Congo border, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 321 square kilometers. Established in 1932, it is a montane rainforest ecosystem with dense vegetation, swamps, and streams, supporting a rich variety of wildlife. Bwindi is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorillas, as well as chimpanzees, forest elephants, monkeys, and more than 350 bird species, making it a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
The forest is divided into four trekking sectors—Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija—each offering unique experiences, from challenging remote treks to more accessible routes for first-time visitors. The main activity is gorilla trekking, but visitors can also enjoy birdwatching, chimpanzee tracking, nature walks, and cultural visits to local communities.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, located in southwestern Uganda at approximately 0°53′S latitude and 29°39′E longitude, covers about 321 square kilometers (124 square miles) and ranges in elevation from 1,160 meters (3,805 ft) to 2,607 meters (8,550 ft) above sea level. The forest was established as a protected area in 1932 and later designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. It is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in collaboration with conservation partners. Bwindi’s ecosystem is a montane rainforest, featuring dense vegetation, steep hills, swamps, and streams. Its primary habitat includes mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, monkeys, bushbucks, and over 350 bird species. The climate is typically tropical and humid, with temperatures ranging from 10°C (50°F) to 24°C (75°F) depending on altitude. The forest experiences two main seasons: a dry season from June to September and December to February, which is ideal for trekking, and a rainy season from March to May and October to November, when trails can be muddy and conditions more challenging.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, characterized by their longer hair and smaller heads compared to other gorilla species
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are highly intelligent and social great apes native to Africa, known for their close genetic relationship to humans
Forest Elephants
African forest elephants are smaller than African savanna elephants, the other African elephant species
Safari Activities in Uganda
Experience the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest through various exciting adventures.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Safari Ideas
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a great place to visit any time of the year. Take a look at some of our favorite safari tours that go there.
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Useful FAQs about Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The price for a gorilla habituation permit at Bwindi National Park remains at $1,500 for Foreign Non-Residents. Foreign residents in Uganda will pay $1,000 for a gorilla habituation permit.
You can book the gorilla permits in Kampala (the capital of Uganda) at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters or through a local tour operator. It is easier to make an international booking for permits through a local tour operator.
Gorilla trekking permits are purchased on a per person, per trek basis, and the funds raised through their sale go to the park authorities. As a result, your travels will contribute directly to gorilla conservation and the upkeep of park infrastructure. Costs differ depending on which country you’re visiting
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park 2025/2026 cost 800 USD per person for foreign non residents, 700 USD per person for foreign residents, 500 USD per person for Africans and 300,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
The high numbers of tourists interested in observing wild gorillas has forced many governments to raise the price of permits. You can say the principle of demand and supply applies here. The higher the demand, the higher the price. But demand is not the only explanation for the high cost of gorilla trekking permits.
The best time to visit Uganda and the mountain gorillas is between June and August and December and February. The lush landscapes of these forests offer an ideal canvas for gorilla trekking. During these months, the region experiences a long dry season, minimising slippery trails and improving the hiking conditions.
When visiting Rwanda or Uganda, we recommend a minimum of 3 days to allow for stress-free travel. A minimum of three days for Rwanda gorilla trekking or four days for Uganda gorilla trekking is recommended. This includes travel time and the trekking day. For logistics in the DRC, a slightly longer trip is advised
- Two facemasks hand sanitizer.
- A decent light waterproof jacket.
- A pair of trousers, a long-sleeved shirt (t-shirt), and longer socks.
- A pair of hiking gloves.
- A lightweight pair of waterproof hiking boots.
- A tin of insect repellent.
- Energy giving snacks.
- Biodegradable tissue or toilet paper.