Where Is Gorilla Trekking Done In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Gorilla Trekking is done in the four major sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park including Buhoma Sector, Rushaga sector, Ruhiija Sector and Nkuringo Sector. These gorilla trekking sectors make Bwindi Impenetrable Forest stand out as probably the best place in the world to watch gorillas.
A gorilla trek in Bwindi is all about soaking yourself into the dense rainforest to enjoy up close and personal with a family of mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat.
Location of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) is found in southwestern Uganda, Kabale district. Kanungu, Kisoro and Rubanda districts are additional districts surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, and this park was gazetted in 1991 then designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Over 459 of the entire 1063 mountain gorilla population left on earth reside in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park, and they distributed in the park’s 4 main sectors. In each of the four gorilla trekking sectors, there are fully habituated gorilla families to be visited by tourists on Uganda gorilla safaris. Bwindi alone accounts for about 20 fully habituated families of endangered mountain gorillas and on a single day, each group/family is visited by a maximum of eight pax.
Where to start your gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi National Park
All gorilla treks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park begin from the 4 major sectors/regions/trailheads. They include;
Buhoma
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma is all about exploring habituated families of mountain gorillas that roam in the northern sector. This sector has amazing gorilla families such as Rushegura, Habinyanja, Katwe, Muyambi, and Mubare groups. They translate to about 40 gorilla permit since each group takes a maximum of 8 visitors.
Rushaga
Rushaga is the Southern gorilla trekking region in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). This particular sector holds the highest number of habituated gorilla families including Rwigi, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, Biking, Mucunguzi, Busingye, Busingye, and Kutu.
Nkuringo sector
Nkuringo trailhead is another special gorilla trekking region located in the Southern sector of Bwindi. The available gorilla families to visit in the Nkuringo region include Bushaho, Christmas, Nkuringo and Posho –but this is still undergoing habituation.
Ruhija region
Ruhija trailhead is a gorilla sector lying in the Eastern part of Bwindi. The special gorilla families to visit include Oruzongo, Bitukura, Mukiza and Kyaguriro groups.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi N/Park
Anyone visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park requires a valid gorilla permit to be allowed to explore the park’s habituated families. The price of gorilla permits for Bwindi is no different from that of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park permits, with each costing USD 800 (for foreign non-residents), USD 700 (foreign residents) and shs.300,000 (Ugandan + the rest of the East African member states).
Best time to travel to Bwindi for gorilla trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park welcomes visitors all year round to enjoy Uganda Gorilla trekking Safari adventures. However, the dry season is the most favorable time if you want to enjoy excellent gorilla treks. The dry season occurs twice a year with long phase running from June, July, August to September and short dry months: December, January to February.
What you must pack
Packing list for Bwindi gorilla safari: long-sleeved shirts, waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, cameras plus extra batteries, daypack, bottled drinking water, a sweater, sunscreen, gorilla permits, first aid kit, rain jacket, insect repellents, safari hat, pair of thick socks, gardening gloves, and others.
How to obtain gorilla permits for Bwindi tours
The easiest and safe way of obtaining a gorilla permit for Bwindi is by contacting a trusted tour operator on the ground. With the help of Engabi Tours and Travel, your gorilla permit can be secured and also the entire gorilla tour can be planned appropriately. Our reservation team can be reached via email – info@gorillasafaridiscovery.com or call: +256757341593
Where to stay on gorilla safari in Bwindi
After securing a gorilla permit, next should be booking accommodation facility for your overnight stay. At Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park, visitors have many accommodation options to choose including budget, midrange and luxury with price of about USD 80 to USD 1500 per night. They include Silverback Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Rest & Campsite, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Campsite, Mahogany Springs, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and others.
How to get to Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accessible using two options- road and air transport. By road: journeys to Bwindi start from Kampala or Entebbe and driving up to the park takes between 8 and 9 hours depending on the route. You could also spend few hours by connecting from Kigali city through Chanika border to Kisoro or Katuna to Kabale town- about 4-5 hours’ drive.
Contact Us to start Planning Your Gorilla Tour to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park