An hour with a mountain gorilla family is the reason many people come to East Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south west Uganda is home to around half of the world’s mountain gorillas. This is what you need to know before you go.
Permits
Every trekker needs a permit issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which at the time of writing costs US$800 per person. Each habituated family can be visited by a small group once a day, so permits are limited and sell out for the busy months. We buy them as soon as your dates are confirmed and plan the rest of the safari around them. Trekkers must be at least 15 years old.
The four sectors
- Buhoma in the north, the oldest trekking area, with easier access from Queen Elizabeth.
- Ruhija in the east, high and cool, with excellent birding.
- Rushaga in the south, with the most gorilla families and the habituation experience.
- Nkuringo in the south west, steep trails and wide views towards the Virunga volcanoes.
Your permit is for a particular sector, so it matters where you sleep. We match the lodge to the sector to keep the early morning drive short.
The day itself
You meet at the park office for a briefing around 7.30am, then set off with a ranger guide and trackers who have been following the family since dawn. The walk can take anything from one hour to several, often on steep and muddy slopes. Once you reach the gorillas you spend one hour with them, keeping a distance and speaking quietly. Then you walk back out, usually by early afternoon.
What to pack
- Waterproof walking boots with good grip.
- Long trousers and long sleeves against nettles and insects.
- Garden gloves for gripping vines.
- A light rain jacket, water and a packed lunch.
- A camera without flash.
Porters wait at the trailhead and will carry your bag and help you on the steep sections. Hiring one is a good way to support the local community, and we always recommend it.
Fitness
You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours on uneven ground at altitude. Tell us if walking is a concern and we will ask for a family that usually lives closer to the trailhead.