Bwindi is 331 square kilometers and is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Kabale, Rukungiri and Kisoro Districts. It lies on an altitude range of 2607m (Rwamunyonyi peak)-1160m (Ishasha gorge). Annual Temperature ranges from 7-20 degrees Celsius. Usually it’s cold during June- July rains heavily in March-April and September-November. The local people in this area are mainly Bakiga and Bafumbira, representing the most impenetrable settlements in Uganda, (233 people/ square kilometers).
Highlights:
- Gorilla Trekking
- Nature walks
- Bird Watching
- Accommodation
Gorilla trekking
The Mountain Gorillas are undoubtedly Bwindi’s key tourist attraction, where they’ve been habituated since April 1993. There are at the present four different groups that can be visited which include: Habinyanja group (23 gorillas; 2 silverbacks), Mubare group (16 gorillas; 1 silverback), Rushegura group (9 gorillas; 1 silverback) and Nkuringo group (20 gorillas; 2 silverbacks). Permits are sold for each of these mountain gorilla groups at Uganda Wildlife Head Quarters in Kampala. It’s advisable to book 3months in advance to be sure the requested dates are available. 8 persons only can visit a given gorilla family per day. In Uganda, 10 families have been adapted in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and so can host 80 persons tracking the mountain gorillas on any day.
Gorilla Tracking can be actually challenging, so go prepared. Take time to read the Gorilla Rules before your trip.
