Our gorilla trek in Bwindi
What to know before you go: in July 2024 our team trekked to a family of ten mountain gorillas in Bwindi's Rushaga sector. Here's what the day was like, and what you need to plan your own.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in southwest Uganda, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity and its mountain gorillas. It is one of Africa's most diverse rainforests.
A short history
Bwindi was set aside as a forest reserve in 1932 to protect its hardwoods and wildlife. In 1991 it became a national park, mainly to protect its biodiversity and the endangered mountain gorillas, and to support tourism that sustains the forest.
Permits first
Before entering the park, every trekker needs a gorilla permit: an official document that allows you to track and spend time with a gorilla family. Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the price depends on your residency. In 2024, when we made this trip, the published rates were about US$700 for foreign non-residents, US$600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. Rates change, so check the Uganda Wildlife Authority for current prices, or ask us for a quote that includes your permit.
The trek
After a briefing on how to behave around the gorillas, we set off into the forest in the Rushaga sector with our guide and the park rangers. The trek took about an hour and a half before we reached a family of ten.
Seeing them up close was unforgettable. We watched them rest, play and interact while the rangers explained the sounds and gestures the gorillas use to communicate. The family was led by a dominant silverback, with females, juveniles and infants around him: the silverback keeping the group together, the mothers caring for the young, and the juveniles playing under the adults' watch.
The forest and the Batwa
The walk itself is part of the experience: mist on the hills and a dense, green forest all around. We also spent time with the Batwa, sometimes called the "keepers of the forest," who shared their traditions and knowledge of the forest with us.
Planning your own trek
If you are thinking about gorilla trekking in Bwindi, send us your dates and we'll check permit availability and suggest an itinerary.
Sources
Plan it
Read more about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.