Gorilla Tracking Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Overview

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda’s oldest and most biologically distinct rainforest jungle with foggy panoramas, lies in the south west of the country on the edge of the rift valley.

This particular park is famously known for protecting an estimated 400 endangered mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population. This includes several habituated groups which can be tracked.

Bwindi is also a birders paradise with 350 species recorded. It was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. The rainforest is also home to other primates like chimpanzee, olive baboon, black-and-white colobus and l’Hoest monkey, forest elephant including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.

Highlights

Bwindi is home to the endangered mountain gorilla hence we expect to do the tracking, look out for other primates, bird watching as over 350 species are recorded.

Itinerary

Day 1: Gorilla Capital (Bwindi)

We depart Kampala at 0730am heading south-west via the equator and Masaka, making a lunch stop in Mbarara. We will then proceed through to Kabale, Uganda’s highest town and on through the highlands to arrive at Buhoma at approximately 5:00pm.

The journey today will take you through the country’s south west about 10 hours’ drive for a distance of approx. 527km.

En-route, we make a stop at the Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe where the world’s main latitude that partitions the world into the northern and the southern hemisphere can be encountered.

Will continue with the drive making a lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center with organically grown and freshly served food. Continue on the drive welcomed by the fascinating Kigezi Highlands arriving in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Buhoma Lodge

Mahogany Lodge

Chameleon Hill Lodge

Trackers Lodge Buhoma

Engagi Lodge

Haven Lodge Bwindi

Nkuringo Gorilla Camp

Gorilla Mist Camp

Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp

Gorilla Valley Lodge

Buhoma Community Campground

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Day

After 0645am delicious breakfast, with our packed lunch, head to the information center for a briefing before embarking on the long-awaited trek.

Gorilla tracking may last from 3 hours up to 8 hours or more of the day. Within the given hour looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants as they get around in their chores is assuredly the most adrenaline-charged and passionate wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer.

The walk is beyond the ordinary as it involves traversing the dense jungle whose thickness would at some points necessitate using a machete to make a path, hiking the challenging landscapes some of which are steep and slippery at times under the canopy of the mature forest which forms darkness even during the day. But thanks to the help offered by porters you can hire to help maneuver through and make the adventure more exciting.

After this wonderful experience, return to lodge for a well-deserved hot shower and rest.