National park · Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Buy a US$800 gorilla permit, travel to Buhoma base (8 h bus from Kampala or fly to Kihihi), then choose a 1‑day gorilla trek (early start) or a 5‑hour guided forest hike (Buhoma–Nkuringo); go in the dry months (Jun‑Aug, Dec‑Feb) to avoid mud and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
331 km² (128 sq mi)128 sq mi (331 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
- Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
- Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
- Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Western Uganda ↗Gorilla permits are sold per person per trek and must be booked through a licensed operator; carry the printed permit and your passport to the trailhead.
- Western Uganda ↗Uganda checks a yellow fever certificate on arrival for all travellers.
- Western Uganda ↗Carry cash in Ugandan shillings for park gates, fuel and village stops; card machines fail outside the bigger towns.
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Area
- 331 km² (128 sq mi)128 sq mi (331 km²)
- Area reported as 331 km²; some sources list slightly different figures (check).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park protects one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and half the world’s mountain gorilla population, offering guided gorilla tracking, forest hikes and rich birdlife; permits are required and the dry months June‑August and December‑February provide the best conditions.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1994Recognised for biodiversity and mountain gorilla habitat.
Size and age
331 km² (128 sq mi)128 sq mi (331 km²) · national park since 1991
Area reported as 331 km²; some sources list slightly different figures (check).
Why go
- Mountain gorilla tracking – the flagship wildlife experience.
- High‑altitude rainforest with >350 bird species.
- Guided forest hikes to remote villages and waterfalls.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool; good for trekking.
- FebDry, cool; low visitor numbers.
- MarStart of rains; trails get muddy.
- AprRainy, slippery paths.
- MayFrequent showers, leeches appear.
- JunMain dry season, clear skies.
- JulDry, sunny; ideal for gorilla tracking.
- AugDry, warm; peak trekking conditions.
- SepLate dry, occasional showers.
- OctRain returns, trails soggy.
- NovIncreasing rain, leeches.
- DecDry start of season, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain gorilla (year‑round)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Albertine Rift endemic birdsMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Leeches (trackers’ nuisance)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Buhoma base camp | Main entry point, lodges, permit office, guided gorilla trek start. | Open with permit. |
| Ruhija sector | Secondary tracking sector, community lodges. | Open with permit. |
| Nkuringo sector | Hiking trailhead to Lake Mutanda, optional guided hikes. | Guide required for long hikes. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of main access zones.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla permit (foreign tourist) | US$800 | person | Must be purchased before the trek; sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Gorilla tracking permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- Gorilla permit required for any trek; must be shown at entry.
- Drones
- Not allowed without explicit park permission.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no open fires.
- Camping
- Only in designated lodges; no wild camping.
- Photography
- No flash near gorillas; keep distance as instructed.
Where to stay
In the park
Buhoma lodges
Simple rooms, meals included, close to trek start.
In the park
Ruhija guesthouses
Mid‑range options, community‑run.
Near the park
Kisoro town
Hotels and hostels for longer stays after trekking.
Safety
Rain‑induced mud and leeches medium
Altitude‑related illness low
Disease transmission to gorillas high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Buhoma base reachable by road; short walks to trailheads.
- Steep forest trails not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support Batwa‑run cultural tours and craft shops.
- Choose lodges that contribute a share of permit fees to community projects.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
The US$800 gorilla permit is the confirmed cost for gorilla trekking; any separate park entry fee is check.
What are the best hikes in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Guided hike from Buhoma to Nkuringo (≈5 h) and the community‑run forest walk to the Batwa cultural village are the most popular non‑gorilla routes.
When is the best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Dry months June‑August and December‑February give the clearest trails and highest gorilla‑tracking success.
Do I need a guide for all activities?
A licensed guide is required for any gorilla trek and for long forest hikes; short cultural visits can be done independently.
Can I camp inside the forest?
No. Overnight stays are only allowed in designated lodges or guesthouses.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?