Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Holidays

Tracking gorillas is the reason to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest but there’s plenty more to do when you arrive. Keep an eye out for more primate species and hundreds of other creatures as you trek jungle trails past waterfalls and rock formations hidden between the trees. Look out for more than 200 butterfly species among the plants or grab your binoculars for some of Africa’s best birding.

Get your adrenaline pumping on a mountain bike ride over the rocky terrain or take a guided canoe tour to the islands of Lake Mutanda. Explore indigenous culture on a Buhoma community walk through a Batwa village to discover the traditions and values of Uganda’s original people - and maybe even enjoy a home-cooked meal. After your adventures, relax and enjoy the spectacular surroundings from your deluxe lodge complete with spa, bar, and restaurant.

Only a handful of African nations still have gorillas in the wild and, from an estimated 800 remaining mountain gorillas, around half live in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Follow an expert local guide through thick mountainside forest in search of clues as you track a family of elusive silverbacks for an unforgettable up-close encounter. Seeing these incredible creatures with our own eyes is something only a few people experience during their lifetime and there is nowhere better to do it than Uganda.

Stay in a luxury lodge nearby and combine your gorilla search with nature walks to spot other primates, birds, butterflies, and perhaps even elephants and black rhinos. Trekking permits are limited to eight per gorilla family so booking in advance is essential. If you’re really lucky, there may be an opportunity for a longer gorilla habituation experience. Ask our Travel Specialists for details.

Choose a multi-day Uganda tour to experience all the attractions of this amazing nation with comfortable accommodations to suit your needs and budget. Alternatively, there are many luxury, deluxe, and eco lodges to choose both in and outside the forest. Stay in sustainable luxury at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, peer across Lake Mutanda from the colourful chalets of Chameleon Hill, or enjoy delicious dining at Mahogany Springs.

Find cottage-style comfort at Four Gorillas Lodge, sleep among the trees at Bweza Gorilla Lodge, or pamper yourself with a post-trek massage in the Buhoma Lodge spa. Let the gorillas come to you (if you’re lucky) at Volcanoes Bwindi, sample silver service at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, or listen to the jungle from your veranda at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Wherever you stay, there’s always a warm welcome waiting in Bwindi.

Gorilla trekking can be enjoyed all year in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest but the experience is different depending on the season. Rain can be expected at any time but longer downpours are more likely between March and May while short heavy bursts are common in October and November.

Pathways can be slippery during these times and mist is common but gorillas can be easier to find and bird watching is at its peak. The drier months of June to August and December to February are the most popular times for visitors and offer the best conditions for outdoor activities. Daytime temperatures throughout the year average around 25°C while nights are cooler, so packing layers is always recommended.