Bwindi & South Western Uganda

Tracking the Mountain Gorilla
Uganda’s foremost tourist attraction, and indeed one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife encounters, is tracking the rare mountain gorilla in the remote forests of south-western Uganda. These magnificent animals, which are found only in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga volcanoes,  number less than 800, over half of them in Uganda.
Privilege
Tracking mountain gorillas is a very exclusive activity. To minimise disturbance, only eight people can track each habituated gorilla group each day, while time with the gorillas is strictly limited to one hour. As Wildlife viewing goes, it is difficult to conceive how or where in the world a more rewarding 60 minutes could be spent. Tracking gorillas offers the privilege of encountering one of the world’s rarest animals in its natural habitat and, by doing so, helping to fund its continued survival. Though gorillas are undeniably intelligent and impressive creatures to watch – a silverback can weigh over 200 kg (450 lb) – the greatest rewards from the encounter are more cryptic. Gorillas are one of our closest relatives and few observers emerge from the magic hour without feeling an unfathomable connection, which many find profoundly moving. And when all is done, there remains a well deserved sense of achievement at the culmination of the long journey by air, by vehicle and on foot to the home of the mountain gorillas.
Climate
 The driest months are January and February and June to September, though heavy rain can fall at any time of year. Evening temperatures are cool.
The impressive list of species contains 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths and 120 mammals including several primates, among them chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the star attraction, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi has six habituated gorilla groups, which are tracked from four trailheads. Eight permits are available for each group, giving a daily maximum of 48 permits. An additional gorilla group can be tracked on the Virunga volcanoes in the nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Tracking the mountain gorilla takes two to eight hours depending on the location of the group. The adventure requires a reasonable level of fitness for the Impenetrable Forest is well named; the gorilla’s forest homeland comprises dense, tangled vegetation draped over a mountainous landscape of deeply fissured valleys and steep ridges. Bwindi is also one of Uganda’s top bird watching destinations with 350 birds, including many localized Albertine Rift endemic species. Outside the forest, Community Walks provide an insight into the lives of the Bakiga and Batwa (pygmy) peoples living beside the forest.
Landscape
Bwindi Forest constitutes an island of remnant forest in a densely cultivated region of hills and
deep valleys adjoining the Albertine Rift Valley and the Virunga volcanoes.
Culture and people

The Bwindi hills are inhabited by the Bakiga, hard-working farmers who have created the region’s emblematic landscape of steeply terraced hills. Batwa pygmies inhabit the margins of Bwindi and Mgahinga forests and offer exciting tours to glimpse life through their eyes when they lived in the forest.
ATTRACTIONS
Bwindi impenetrable forest
 A unique wildlife experience. Biologically, the Bwindi Impenetrable is one of Africa’s richest forests, owing to its great age (over 25,000 years) and an altitudinal range that spans 1,400 meters.
Mgahinga gorilla national park
This small park, covering just 38 sq km, enjoys a magnificent setting on the northern slopes of the Virunga volcanoes.  Climb the dormant volcanoes to stand simultaneously on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park offers a unique Batwa forest experience, including discovery of a cave and traditional home of the Batwa king complemented by cultural dances in the cave.
Lake Mburo national park
Uganda’s smallest savanna park (370 sq km) lies en route from Kampala to Bwindi. A mosaic of habitats including open water, wetland, grassland, woodland and forest patches supports a diverse population of herbivores including species such as impala, zebra, eland and topi that are rare or absent in other Ugandan parks. This park is also a welcome break on the road from Kampala to the gorilla parks.

Lake Bunyonyi
 Dotted with islands and occupying a steep valley dammed by lava from nearby volcanoes, Africa’s second-deepest lake is unforgettably scenic. Island lodges and camps provide perfect settings to recuperate after the exertion of tracking gorillas.
Accommodation
Lake Mburo and the Bwindi and Mgahinga trailheads are all provided with up market lodges as well as mid-range options. Comfortable midrange lodges and hotels are also available at Lake Bunyonyi and the regional towns of Kabale and Kisoro.
Travel

 The Bwindi trailheads lay eight to 10 hours’ drive from Kampala. Tarmac runs to the main towns of Kabale, Kisoro and Rukungiri, beyond which dirt roads lead into the hills.
Tracking the Mountain Gorilla
Uganda’s foremost tourist attraction, and indeed one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife encounters, is tracking the rare mountain gorilla in the remote forests of south-western Uganda. These magnificent animals, which are found only in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga volcanoes,  number less than 800, over half of them in Uganda.
Privilege
Tracking mountain gorillas is a very exclusive activity. To minimise disturbance, only eight people can track each habituated gorilla group each day, while time with the gorillas is strictly limited to one hour. As Wildlife viewing goes, it is difficult to conceive how or where in the world a more rewarding 60 minutes could be spent. Tracking gorillas offers the privilege of encountering one of the world’s rarest animals in its natural habitat and, by doing so, helping to fund its continued survival. Though gorillas are undeniably intelligent and impressive creatures to watch – a silverback can weigh over 200 kg (450 lb) – the greatest rewards from the encounter are more cryptic. Gorillas are one of our closest relatives and few observers emerge from the magic hour without feeling an unfathomable connection, which many find profoundly moving. And when all is done, there remains a well deserved sense of achievement at the culmination of the long journey by air, by vehicle and on foot to the home of the mountain gorillas.
Climate
 The driest months are January and February and June to September, though heavy rain can fall at any time of year. Evening temperatures are cool.
The impressive list of species contains 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths and 120 mammals including several primates, among them chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the star attraction, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi has six habituated gorilla groups, which are tracked from four trailheads. Eight permits are available for each group, giving a daily maximum of 48 permits. An additional gorilla group can be tracked on the Virunga volcanoes in the nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Tracking the mountain gorilla takes two to eight hours depending on the location of the group. The adventure requires a reasonable level of fitness for the Impenetrable Forest is well named; the gorilla’s forest homeland comprises dense, tangled vegetation draped over a mountainous landscape of deeply fissured valleys and steep ridges. Bwindi is also one of Uganda’s top bird watching destinations with 350 birds, including many localized Albertine Rift endemic species. Outside the forest, Community Walks provide an insight into the lives of the Bakiga and Batwa (pygmy) peoples living beside the forest.
Landscape
Bwindi Forest constitutes an island of remnant forest in a densely cultivated region of hills and
deep valleys adjoining the Albertine Rift Valley and the Virunga volcanoes.
Culture and people
The Bwindi hills are inhabited by the Bakiga, hard-working farmers who have created the region’s emblematic landscape of steeply terraced hills. Batwa pygmies inhabit the margins of Bwindi and Mgahinga forests and offer exciting tours to glimpse life through their eyes when they lived in the forest.
ATTRACTIONS
Bwindi impenetrable forest
 A unique wildlife experience. Biologically, the Bwindi Impenetrable is one of Africa’s richest forests, owing to its great age (over 25,000 years) and an altitudinal range that spans 1,400 meters.
Mgahinga gorilla national park
This small park, covering just 38 sq km, enjoys a magnificent setting on the northern slopes of the Virunga volcanoes.  Climb the dormant volcanoes to stand simultaneously on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park offers a unique Batwa forest experience, including discovery of a cave and traditional home of the Batwa king complemented by cultural dances in the cave.
Lake Mburo national park
Uganda’s smallest savanna park (370 sq km) lies en route from Kampala to Bwindi. A mosaic of habitats including open water, wetland, grassland, woodland and forest patches supports a diverse population of herbivores including species such as impala, zebra, eland and topi that are rare or absent in other Ugandan parks. This park is also a welcome break on the road from Kampala to the gorilla parks.
Lake Bunyonyi

 Dotted with islands and occupying a steep valley dammed by lava from nearby volcanoes, Africa’s second-deepest lake is unforgettably scenic. Island lodges and camps provide perfect settings to recuperate after the exertion of tracking gorillas.
Accommodation
Lake Mburo and the Bwindi and Mgahinga trailheads are all provided with up market lodges as well as mid-range options. Comfortable midrange lodges and hotels are also available at Lake Bunyonyi and the regional towns of Kabale and Kisoro.
Travel
 The Bwindi trailheads lay eight to 10 hours’ drive from Kampala. Tarmac runs to the main towns of Kabale, Kisoro and Rukungiri, beyond which dirt roads lead into the hills.