Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 320 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked.
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. The park is most famous for gorilla trekking, an adventure that is undertaken daily within the impenetrable forest of Bwindi.
The neighboring towns of Buhoma and Nkuringo both have an impressive array of luxury lodges, rustic bandas and budget campsites, as well as restaurants, craft stalls and guiding services. Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops and village walks.
Quick Facts
Size: 321km2
Altitude: 1,160m – 2,607m above sea level.
Bwindi was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994.
The Mubare gorilla group was the first to become available for tourism in Uganda in April 1993. Nine groups are now habituated for tourism, and one for research.
Spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys, Bwindi is the source of five major rivers, which flow into Lake Edward.
Where to Stay
Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Tel: +256 312 100060
Mobile: +256 772 384965
Email: buhomacommunity@yahoo.com, buhomacomunity@gmail.com
Website: www.buhomacommunity.com
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Mob: +256 772 753619, +256 777 912448
Tel (UK): +44 (0)20 7190 7728
Email: info@sanctuaryretreats.com
Website: www.sanctuaryretreats.com
Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp
Tel +256 312 277304
Mobile: +256 782 399235 / +256 775 887258
Email: kitanda@infocom.co.ug
Website: www.kitandarabwindicamp.com
Buhoma Lodge
Tel: + 256 414 321479
Mobile: + 256 772 502155, +256 772 721479
Email: reservations@wildfrontiers.co.ug, info@wildfrontiers.co.ug
Website: www.ugandaexclusivecamps.com/buhoma.html
CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp
Tel: +256 414 531 389
Email: gorillaconservationcamp@ctph.org, info@ctph.org
Website: www.ctph.org
Silverback Lodge
Tel: +256 312 260260/1, +256 414 255992
Email: reservations@marasa.net, mweyaparaa@africaonline.co.ug
Web: www.silverbacklodge.com , www.marasa.net
Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge
Tel: +256 414 346 464/5, +256 312 263823
Email: salesug@volcanoessafaris.com
Website: www.volcanoessafaris.com
Engagi lodge
Tel: +256 414 321552
Mob:+256 701 563437
Email: mantana@africaonline.co.ug
Gorilla Resort
Mobile: +256 785 790690, +256 772 419238
Email: reservations@gorillaresort.com
Mahogany springs camp
Mobile: +256 792 740300/9
Email: blueink@sympatico.ca
Bwindi Guest House
Mobile: +256 785 999112
Email: ruden888@yahoo.com
Bwindi View Bandas
Mobile: +256 738 78437, +256 772 399224
Email: bwindiview@yahoo.com
Eco Marvels Gorilla Resort
In Kitahurira, close to Buhoma and Ruhija. Suitable for those tracking the Oruzogo and Habinyanja gorilla families
Mobile: +256 792 345000
Email: info@ecomarvelsafrica.com
Website: www.ecomarvelsafrica.com
Gorilla Friends Lodge
Mobile: +256 782 822043, +256 774 836371
Email: magrichard@yahoo.com
Jungle View Lodge
Mobile: +256 772 549088
NKURINGO
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Tel: +256 414 501866
Mobile: +256 772 657700
Email: info@wildplacesafrica.com
Website: www.wildplacesafrica.com
Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
Tel: +256 774 805580, +256 792 805580
Email: info@nkuringocampsite.com
Website: www.nkuringocampsite.com
Nshongi Camp
Mobile: +256 774 231913
Email: nshongi@gorillamail.com
NYUNDO
Nyundo Valley Hill Bandas
Contact via Pearls of Uganda:
Mobile: +256 772 930304, +256 772 657700
Email: info@pearlsofuganda.org
Web: www.pearlsofuganda.org
RUHIJA
Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
Tel: +256 414 503065
Email: www.gorillasafari.travel/contact.html
Website: www.gorillasafari.travel
Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp
Mob: +256 772 563577, +256 774 959477, +256 754 315151
Email: info@gorillamistcamp.com
Trekkers Tavern cottages
Mob: +256 772 455423
Email: access@utline.co.ug, mutebihassan@yahoo.com
Gift of Nature Lodge
Mobile: +256 756 731767
Ruhija Gorilla Resort
Tel: +256414503065
Mobile: +256 756 000598, +256 712 187411, +256 776 000598
Email: reservations@asyanuttours-safaris.com, info@asyanuttours-safaris.com
Website: www.asyanuttours-safaris.com
Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort & Campsite
Tel: +256 772 480885, +256 382 275160, +256 772 874803
Email: bitariho@gmail.com, mcleakankwasa@yahoo.com
Ruhija Community Rest Camp
Mobile: +256 771 846635, +256 772 635142, +256 777 472967
RUBUGURI
Wagtail Eco-Safari Camp
Tel: +256 392 969222, +256 414 590408
Mobile: +256 755 208775 +256 772 220252
Email: kanyamunyu@yahoo.com, info@nkuringo.com
Web: www.wagtailecocamp.com
RUSHAGA
Gorilla Safari Lodge
Tel: +256 414 345742, +256 392 912673
Mobile: 772 470260, 0712 470260
Email: reservations@gorillasafarilodge.com
Website: www.gorillasafarilodge.com