Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s most visited park and home to roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. But the park is far more than a gorilla-trekking checkpoint — it’s one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, with birding, community walks and hiking of its own.
Key Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest, among the oldest and most biodiverse in Africa
- Home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population
- Four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo
- Over 350 bird species recorded, including several Albertine Rift endemics
- Located in southwestern Uganda, close to the Rwanda border
Wildlife and Activities
Gorilla trekking is the headline activity, but Bwindi also offers guided nature walks along waterfall trails, community visits with the Batwa — the forest’s original inhabitants — and some of Uganda’s best birding away from the main trekking trails. Photographers and birders often add a day without a gorilla permit purely to explore the forest at a slower pace.
Getting There
Bwindi is a long but scenic drive from Kampala or Entebbe — typically eight to nine hours by road — and most itineraries break the journey with a stop in Queen Elizabeth National Park. A shorter domestic flight option is also available for travelers short on time.
Combining Bwindi With Other Parks
Bwindi pairs naturally with Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a second gorilla trek or golden monkey tracking, and with Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise en route. See our 7-day itinerary for how Bwindi fits into a classic southwestern Uganda circuit.
Plan Your Bwindi Visit
Tell us your travel dates and which sector interests you, and we’ll build a Bwindi itinerary around your permit and the rest of your Uganda route.