Gorilla trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in southwestern Kisoro, Uganda, covering an area of 321 kilometers of lowland and montane forest. Shared by Kabale, Kisoro, and Kanungu districts, it is home to over 120 species of mammals, over 350 butterfly species, 104 species of ferns, 200 tree species, and over 1,000 flowering plants; it is also home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas left in the wild.

Price of Gorilla Trekking

This varies depending on the government taxes; for example, as of the June 2024-July 2026 tariff, foreign nonresidents pay USD800, foreign residents pay USD700, and East African citizens pay a fee of 300,000 Ugandan shillings.

Sectors for Gorilla trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

There are four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where tourists can do all their tracking, and these include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.

Ruhija Sector

This is located on the eastern part and can be well accessed by all tourists who tend to spend a night at Lake Bunyonyi and track in the morning. It is considered one of the coldest sectors of Bwindi and has four habituated families.

Buhoma sector

This is one of the closest sectors to the Kihihi airstrip, hence making travel easy. Tourists that are not able to travel on the road for long hours opt to use flights to the sector. It is also one of the easiest sectors to connect to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is Ishasha. This is one of the sectors that are suitable for doing trekking for the elderly. Other activities in the sector include nature walks, community visits to the Batwa, bird watching, and visiting the waterfalls, among others.

Nkuringo sector

Situated in the southern part of the park, it is a home to three habituated families with a combination of beautiful views of Mount Nyamuragira and Mount Nyiragongo. Nkuringo is considered one of the hard sectors to trek due to its terrain, but most tourists have conquered it.

Rushaga sector

This is one of the sectors with the highest number of habituated families, and most tourists always look at doing gorilla trekking activities in this sector. It is also the only sector in Bwindi National Park where gorilla habituation takes place. It can also be accessed easily by tourists traveling from Kigali via the Kyanika border.

Where to stay

There are many accommodation options in all four sectors, ranging from luxury to midrange to budget. Tourists can access accommodation of their choice depending on their budget.

When to visit

The national park can be accessed all year round, but the best time to visit is during the drier months of December to February and May till September.

What to pack

Tourists should always consider the following requirements needed for gorilla trekking:

Gorilla permits

This is one of the essential requirements asked by the park authorities at the tracking point. This permit should be updated and valid. These can be purchased directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) through a reliable tour operator.

Passport

This is an essential requirement needed for all travelers entering the country. It is considered an illegal entry once a tourist enters a country without proper documentation.

Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts

These are recommended to avoid insect bites while in the jungle.

Rain Jackets

Since Bwindi is a rain forest, weather can change at any time of the day, so it is better for tourists to always pack these.

Hat/cap to protect tourists from direct sunshine

Hiking boots with a high-quality grip should be considered too. Gloves to help one to hold on to tree branches and other thorny vegetation Snacks, including packed lunch and water, should be considered due to the fact that tourists walk for long hours in the forest and may get hungry on the way.

Toiletries

Walking stick to help tourists as they pass through the dense forest sometimes where there is a rugged terrain

Cameras

These are recommended so as to take clear photographs. Tourists are always encouraged to take with them extra batteries and memory cards in order to make this experience unforgettable.

Porters

These help a tourist to carry heavy luggage as they pass through the forest in search for these gentle giants. These can be hired at a fee between $10 and $15. Other items of importance include an itinerary from your reliable tour operator, maps, ATMs, telephone numbers, and also some tips for local tour guides. Plan with us today for an unforgettable experience around the Pearl of Africa.

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