Bwindi impenetrable forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site situated in the southwest corner of Uganda. The park is 331 square kilometers and impresses with a truly theatrical landscape and bio-diversity, this is a region of volcanoes, jagged valleys, waterfalls, lakes and dramatic mountain ranges. Birders come thousands of miles to see the more than 350 species that live within the area.
There are also rare forest elephant, giant forest hog and eleven kinds of primates , including red tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboons and chimpanzee . you can also find forest duiker antelopes and bush buck antelopes as well as over 200 species of butterflies.
Gorilla Tracking
Bwindi is a home to about 480 mountain gorillas, just over half the world’s population of this critically endangered ape. The gorillas are completely wild but have become used to seeing a few humans after years of habituation. Many of the expert guides have been involved in this process since the beginning, and are able to explain the complicated etiquette involved in meeting a giant silverback. This is an opportunity afforded only to select few, as just eight visitors are allowed to view each group everyday.
There are currently twenty three habituated mountain gorilla groups open to tourism within Bwindi;
- Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura near Buhoma
- Bitukura and Oruzogho near Ruhija
- Nkuringo, Mishaya, Nshongi and Kahugye in Bwindi south.
Tracking through dense forest with steep slopes means that participants do need to be physically fit. Once the gorillas are located , you spend a maximum of an hour with them before returning back to camp. Please note only children aged 15 and above can track the gorillas. Guests taking part in this activity must have permit.
Gorilla Tracking Permits
Permits must be purchased in advance. Permits are sold for a specific person for specific day, and currently cost US$800 each (subject to change). To reserve a permit, a deposit is required. As a company, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is able to invoice for the entire permit price at once to save on the very high bank fees that are charged in Uganda on incoming foreign currency payments.
