Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Home of the critically endangered mountain gorillas

Amazing Gorilla Expeditions

June, 01 2020

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s top home to the world’s extremely rare and critically endangered mountain gorillas located in south western region of the country right at the edge of the western rift valley.

The 331km2 natural rainforest was established a national park in 1991 by the government of Uganda to protect the threatened mountain gorillas and later in 1994 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO due to its exceptional beauty and scientific value. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s oldest forest and also considered as one of the biologically diverse forest on earth.

How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The tropical rainforest park is reachable both by road and air. If travelling to Bwindi by road, it’s approximately 600km from the Capital city of Uganda – Kampala. Considering average tourist driving speed, the journey will take you a whole day to Bwindi. An extensive part of the drive is efficient with asphalt and only the last bit that is gravel and dusty regardless of which sector of Bwindi one is heading to. The beauty of travelling by road is that one enjoys the beautiful countryside; green landscapes, cultivated crop fields, colorfully dressed locals, busy markets and don’t miss the long horned cattle herded by the smiley children among other sightings.

The other option to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is to fly. There are both scheduled and charter flights from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi airstrip if heading to North of Bwindi or Kisoro airstrip if one is going to the South of Bwindi. (Check with Aerolink for precise flight schedules).

Gorilla trekking – A Must do once in a life time experience

For anyone visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the climax of the trip is obviously the amazing encounter with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Gorilla trekking can be physically challenging due to the nature of the forest and variation in the altitude that ranges between 1160m and 2607m above sea level. Consequently, the trek can be demanding and strenuous but then manageable and satisfying.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi begins at the park offices in the different locations namely Buhoma - North, Ruhija – East, Nkuringo and Rushaga - South. It’s at these park offices that the visitors will present their pre booked gorilla trekking permits purchased from Uganda Wildlife Authority or through their travel agency for registration.

By 8am, the general briefing from the park ranger guide begins taking you through the regulations, safety tips and gorilla trekking guidelines significant for a successful experience in the impenetrable rainforest.

At the end of the briefing, visitors are assembled in groups of 8 and allocated a particular gorilla family to be visited. The group is then assigned a Uganda Wildlife Authority team that comprises of lead guide and armed escorts. At this point one can hire a porter who will help to carry your back pack and can further give you a hand at steeper hills during the trek to the mountain gorillas.

Depending on the location of the mountain gorillas, you may be required to drive to a different starting point or start the trek right away.

On the trek

En route Gorilla trekking; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a mountainous rain forest with varying altitudes and terrain ranging between 1160m and 2607m. By this, trekking the mountain gorillas demands one to be in good shape because the trails can be slippery, steep, bushy, wet and rugged!

Mountain gorillas both wild and habituated traverse throughout this 331km2 large rainforest and there aren’t any specific places for them. Trekking gorillas can take from 3 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. One needs to be well prepared both physically and psychologically, appropriately dressed and carry the necessary supplies for a successful gorilla trekking trip.

There are trails in the rainforest however on several occasions depending on the location of the gorillas; machete wielding rangers will open new trails through the jungle to get you to the mountain gorillas. This is done in partnership with the advance team of trackers that sets off much earlier to look for the gorillas and keep in touch with your lead guide who will find the shortest route to the mountain gorillas.

As you close in to your gorilla family, the lead guide will notify the group and it is here that everyone will prepare to meet our relatives – the mountain gorillas. Prior preparations include; getting your cameras ready (turn the flash off), last sip of water and bite for the session, get rid of your walking stick and finally opening your mind to the thrilling encounter of the giant mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable rainforest.

Visitors have precisely 1 hour with the mountain gorillas and a distance of 7 metres (21 feet) from the gorillas must be observed; it’s an awe-inspiring, emotional, impressive, and unequalled experience to be amidst the mountain gorillas as they jump, play, eat, fight and groom. Taking many photos at this moment is wonderful however remember to spend time watching the gorillas too. At the end of the one hour, you will leave the gorillas at peace. Your lead-guide will direct you on how to proceed getting you ready to trek back to the park office where the excursion begun for a ‘graduation ceremony’ to be rewarded with a gorilla trekking certificate.

What you are expected to carry as you go for the Gorilla Trekking Excursion

Gorilla trekking is an experience that will impress your mind forever therefore this is essentially what you need to carry for a victorious and delightful gorilla expedition.

Enough drinking water; advisable least 2 litres
Packed lunch; since you can’t tell how long the trek will take
Walking stick; to give you more stability and support during the rugged trek
Insect repellant; to protect you from insect bites while trekking in the impenetrable rainforest
Rain gear or poncho; it’s a rainforest and chances for rain are high
Gardening gloves; to protect you from some prickling plants as you hold on for support
Hat; at times you walk awhile before entering the rainforest
Camera; you don’t want to miss any moment of this exceptional experience so have enough charged and extra batteries

Dress code for a remarkable Gorilla Expedition

Gorilla trekking is an incredible excursion that requires appropriate dress code for you to have a pleasurable and memorable once-in-a-life-time experience;

Long pants and long sleeve shirts; you are trekking in an impenetrable rainforest
Hiking boots; it’s mountainous, slippery, rough and an impenetrable rainforest
Long socks; it’s advisable to tack you pants in to avoid ants from crawling under your flabby pants

Tips for an awesome Gorilla Trekking Expedition

As you set off for your gorilla trek, consider leaving all your valuables behind otherwise if you lose any finding it would be difficult.

Pack only what you need for this particular day. This will keep the excess weight out of your back pack and save you a bit of energy as you hike in the rainforest.
Hire a porter; these are young and strong boys and girls living in communities bordering the gorilla national parks. They are not employed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority but rather work hand to mouth occasionally depending on the turn up of tourists. By hiring one you are directly supporting them jointly with their families back home.
At a minimum fee of $20 (per each porter) you can hire a porter or two when going for the gorilla trek, these able-bodied young boys and girls have grown up in the area and are very used to the terrain. They will carry your rucksack with all supplies of the day as you walk freely on the narrow and rocky rainforest trials; push you at steeper areas and further give you a hand as you stumble down the jagged hills of the impenetrable forest. Hiring a porter is very highly commendable to anyone wishing to have a successful gorilla expedition.
Take a walking stick; the stick can be provided by your lodge nonetheless the park will give those without. This walking stick will help you balance and also act as a third leg during the tough trek. It’s incredibly handy!
If your gadget bag is not water proof then consider taking something that can protect your gadgets in case of rain; remember Bwindi is a tropical rainforest..
Additionally, one can take an extra set of changing clothes. These will be left in your vehicle as you start the trek on assumption that if it rains during the gorilla trek then one can change from the dampened ones to something fresh and warm before coming at your lodge.

It should be noted that the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national park and Rwanda’s volcanoes national park is 15 years. Anyone below this is considered a minor and consequently unsuitable for the gorilla trekking excursion.

Where to stay while visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

There are four gorilla trekking locations in Bwindi impenetrable national park and each has different accommodation choices ranging from budget to luxury type.

This article was submitted by Robert Kimbugwe.
Robert is a freelance tour driver-guide with extensive guiding experience in Uganda, Rwanda, Eastern Democtratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Tanzania