Bwindi is covered by a large and diverse rain forest that is believed to be over 25,000 years old. Of the 324 tree species, 10 are only found in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 120 mammals including forest antelopes, elephants, baboons, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs and buffaloes. The park also has about 350 recorded species of birds and 200 of butterflies.  Mountain gorillas are the main attraction in the park.

About half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas in the world are found in Bwindi. 17 of the 36 gorilla families in Bwindi are habituated and open to tourism. Thousands of international travelers come to the park to take part in one of the world’s most fascinating wildlife experiences. Bwindi is divided into four sectors – Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija and Buhoma. Each sector has some habituated gorilla groups, an office and a warden.

Bwindi is perfect for gorilla trekking safari because the park has more gorilla groups than Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or Virunga National Park in Congo. You can always find the perfect group depending on your interests. Gorilla permits in Bwindi cost $700.

The tour is an adventure of a lifetime that no one can afford to miss. The trek can start in Kigali, Rwanda, since Kigali is close to Uganda gorilla parks (5 hours) compared to Kampala or Entebbe, which takes an 8-9 hours’ drive to Bwindi National Park.

The drive to Uganda will go through Rwanda’s northern town of Ruhengeri. You will then cross over into Uganda via Cyanika or Katuna border post. The trip continues through the nearby Kisoro or Kabale town and finally to Bwindi National Park.

You will head to the park headquarters immediately after breakfast to get a briefing about the gorilla trek. The national park guide will conduct a presentation that covers the basics of what to expect during the 03 day gorilla trek. The national guide will assign the gorilla trekking group during the pre – trekking briefing. Other visitors will likely join you. The gorilla trek can take a few hours, depending on how far the gorillas are inside the forest.

You’ll find your way through the tall, tangled vines and ancient trees that carpet western Uganda’s rain forest, following an expert tracker clearing the way with a fine-edged machete. Your best foot forward will be wrapped up in light waterproof boots, wearing long jungle pants and a ridiculous hat. Better pack a bag of patience and a good sense of humour to lighten the anticipation.

Mountain gorillas have a very calm demeanour and graciously ignore your presence unless you get out of line with the rules and all! Sitting in silence on the cold ground of a Ugandan forest for 60 minutes might be one of life’s greatest privileges.

If you want to see gorillas in the wild, you’ll need a permit and this goes for USD 700. This allows countries to control the amount of people visiting gorilla groups. It also allows national parks to raise the money necessary to protect these endangered primates. The permits grant access to one trek and one hour with the gorillas. The length of the trek may vary, depending on where the gorillas are on any given day.

However, Habituation permits allow tourists to take part in the habitation process. This involves gradually encouraging wild gorillas to feel comfortable in the presence of humans, which is essential for tourism. The permits are more expensive (USD 1500), because guests spend four hours with the gorillas rather than just one.