Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park : Bwindi Forest National Park is unquestionably the most popular gorilla trekking destination globally and Uganda’s most popular national park when it comes to Mountain Gorillas. Gorilla trekking is the most popular safari activity in Uganda and is the primary reason why millions of tourists visit the country, the rare mountain gorillas are the main attraction making the park most popular and sought–after destination for any tourist to Uganda.

Bwindi Forest National Park is a vast park of high-altitude forested mountains, known for its thick vegetation, thick mists, streams and dew, endangered mountain gorillas, and loud colourful birds.
Bwindi Forest National Park was established as a national park in 1991, the park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated because of its biological richness and significance. The park has 160 species of trees which is the highest diversity of tree species in East Africa, more than 100 species of ferns, over 347 species of forest birds, and more than 200 species of butterflies.

Size of Bwindi Forest National Park

Bwindi Forest National Park covers an area of 321 square kilometres, the park was created through the merging of three former protected areas that is the Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve, the Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve, and the Rwenzori Mountains Reserve.

The Majestic Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas are endangered primate species only found in three nations in the world: Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas are found in two populations, one in the Virunga Mountains also known as Virunga Conservation Area composed of Volcanoes national Park in Rwanda Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The second population which is almost half of the world’s remaining population is found in Bwindi Forest National Park. Uganda has the biggest percentage of these surviving endangered species in the world with over half of them found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
for those who might not know, gorillas share 98% of the DNA with humans, this makes them our closest living relatives, and spending time with them is truly humbling. On the gorilla trekking experience, you will witness their complex social interactions and behaviours that seem so familiar to our own.
By nature, mountain gorillas often inhabit higher altitudes and bamboo–forested places.

Gorilla Families and sectors where they are found in Bwindi Forest National Park

Mountain gorillas are very social and majestic primates which lives in families known as Gorilla Families with each family led by a male-dominated silverback. Bwindi Forest National Park has four gorilla trekking sectors that are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Each of these gorilla trekking sectors hosts its own habituated gorilla families as listed below.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a total of 18 habituated gorilla families open for gorilla trekking expeditions.

Buhoma Sector Gorilla Groups

Sector is Buhoma located in the northern region of Bwindi Forest National Park with four habituated gorilla groups including the oldest gorilla group in the park – Mubare and the newest gorilla group – Katwe Gorilla Family.

Gorilla groups in the Buhoma Sector include: Muyambi newest, 6 members,Katwe 8 with members,Rushegura with 18 members,Mubare with 9 members,Habinyanza with14 members

Nkuringo Sector Gorilla Groups

Nkuringo Sector has 3 habituated Gorilla groups available for gorilla trekking including:Nkuringo with 13 members,Bushaho with 8 members,Christmas with 9 members, Bikingi with 15 members.

Rushaga Sector Gorilla Groups

Rushaga Sector is located in the southern region of Bwindi, the park is home to most of the gorilla families in the park with over seven gorilla families including:Nshongi with 9 members,Mishaya with12 members,Kahungye with17 members,Busingye with 9 members Bweza with 12 members, Mucunguzi with also 12 members..

Ruhija Sector Gorilla Groups

Ruhija Sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Forest National Park at an elevation of 2350 above sea level, the sector is home to three gorilla families which are,Bitukura with 13 members, Oruzogo with 7 member and Kyaguriri with 20 members

However, only a group of 8 people is allowed to visit one gorilla family each day, because of the variety of habituated gorilla families in Bwindi, no visitor has even gone on a gorilla safari in Bwindi and missed a glimpse of the gorillas.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park

Gorilla trekking is the most famous and desired adventure activity for most visitors to Bwindi Forest National Park, this thrilling activity is done in groups of eight visitors per gorilla family each day.
The day of Gorilla trekking begins very early in the morning with reporting to the park headquarters for briefing about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas, you will also be allocated to one of the park ranger guides who will conduct this session. After that, make your way deep into the bush to begin the activity. Trekking gorillas is an unexpected adventure since the activity can take anywhere from 1 to 8 hours depending on where these gentle apes spent their last night. You are only permitted to be in their presence for one hour after finding them, they will be eating, laughing, and moving about. You are free to take as many photos and videos as you likee.
When is the Best Time to Visit Bwindi Forest National Park to Trek Mountain Gorillas?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is possible all year, however, it is best to go during the dry season when there is less rain. During the rainy season, you may be stopped by strong rains and the routes in the jungle are muddy and slippery making hiking difficult.

What is required to meet Gorillas?

For visitors to be able to trek or meet mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park, a gorilla permit is required. A gorilla permit will allow you to trek  gorillas and no one is permitted to trek without a gorilla permit, in Uganda  a gorilla permit cost US $ 800 per person  for trekking in any national gorilla parks in Uganda ,could be either Bwindi or even Mgahinga national Park and it can only be acquired through Uganda wildlife authority or an authorized local tour operator.
Gorilla permits in Uganda are issued by the Uganda wildlife authority only which is a board in charge of all Uganda’s National Park and reserves.

Mountain Gorillas offers an amazing experience and Explore Rwanda Tours tour operates are your trusted team that offers the best packages and helps tourists to book gorilla trekking permits without any stress and organize the most rewarding trips.