Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Why visit Bwindi?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda - the home of gorilla trekking - has ancient rainforests with some of the highest levels of biodiversity in Uganda. Bwindi protects about 400 mountain gorillas.

Bwindi's impenetrable forests

This 330km² (32,000 hectares) UNESCO World Heritage Site rainforest is one of Africa’s oldest ecosystems. Precipitous slopes descend to deep valleys cut into the landscape by tumbling, mountainous streams and the air is filled with the clamorous calls of forest birds unseen in the canopy.

From ancient hardwood trees interspersed with bamboo thickets to delicate fern fronds, dangling vines and vicious nettles, the word “Bwindi” literally translates to “impenetrable” in the local Runyakitara language of Uganda.

Gorillas and other wildlife

In addition to mountain gorillas, Bwindi also hosts other primate species, including the seldom-seen chimpanzees (Bwindi is the only place where mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are found together), black-and-white colobus, Ugandan red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, golden monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervets, and vulnerable L'Hoest's monkeys.

Other mammals found in Bwindi include forest elephants, duikers, forest hogs, bush pigs, golden cats, jackals and civets.

Bwindi bird watching

Bird watchers can hope for 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Notables include Chapin's flycatcher, short-tailed warblers, green tinkerbirds, Shelley's crimsonwing and African green broadbill.

Read more about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Why Bwindi is a responsible safari choice

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a vital mountain gorilla conservation area, protecting approximately 40% of the remaining population of this critically endangered great ape.

Your gorilla trekking safari with Africa Geographic contributes directly to the conservation of mountain gorillas because:

• 100% of your gorilla trekking permit cost goes directly to gorilla conservation efforts in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

• We donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level.

• Your safari supports our conservation publishing efforts, which educate the world about the plight of mountain gorillas and other endangered species.

• Our chosen lodges and other service providers support local community initiatives, ensuring that tourism benefits the nearby villages directly. They also adhere to strict environmental practices, such as limited visitor numbers to gorilla families and sustainable camp operations, which help protect the ecosystem.