Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Where is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest?

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is easily accessed via light aircraft flight from Entebbe, which itself easily connects with safari locations and airport hubs throughout East Africa.

Nestled in the south west of Uganda, Bwindi combines well with Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale National Park to create the ultimate Uganda safari itinerary.

What to do?

The main drawcard is, understandably, the gorillas, so your visit is likely to be planned around your day(s) of gorilla trekking. The treks to see the gorillas can take a couple of hours, or most of the day, depending on where they are located. Therefore, it’s important to allow enough time in your itinerary to enjoy the experience and not have to rush.

Outside of the gorillas, the Ride for Women co-operative is well worth a visit if you are staying in Buhoma, as is the local children’s art gallery.

Hiking enthusiasts will love heading out on the many nearby trails with a guide to see which of the many resident primates and birds can be found.

Finally, don’t forget to take some time out to just relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery all around.

Who should go?

Gorilla tracking has a minimum age of 15 years, so this should be considered when you’re planning, especially if you have children with you. There is still plenty for younger children to do, and babysitting services can be arranged. When we took our two year old to Bwindi, we took turns trekking on different days so that one of us could stay with her.

What to pack?

Gorilla tracking will likely be the most demanding part of your safari holiday, so it’s important to pack accordingly. Read our guide to gorilla tracking to find out more.

Best time to visit?

Uganda is an excellent country to visit all year round, thanks to its high altitude, equatorial location. Peak season is July to October, so gorilla permits may be harder to obtain. It’s important to plan in advance. The long rainy season is from March to May, so conditions may be a little tougher to traverse in these months.