Altitude
Park Entry Fees - FNR
Park Entry Fees - FR
Park Fees - East African
Park Size
Park Location
Experience Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in south-western Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley, is one of Africa’s most ancient and biologically diverse rainforests. Dating back over 25,000 years, this mist-covered jungle is home to an incredible 400 plant species and provides refuge to some of the world’s rarest wildlife.
Most famously, Bwindi protects approximately 459 mountain gorillas—almost half of the world’s remaining population. This “impenetrable forest” is one of the best places on earth to experience gorilla trekking, offering visitors the chance to come face-to-face with these majestic primates in their natural habitat.
The Mubare gorilla group was the first to be habituated for tourism in Uganda in April 1993, opening the door to sustainable gorilla trekking experiences. Today, Bwindi boasts 25 habituated gorilla groups, with nine available for tourism and one dedicated to research.
Bwindi is spread across a landscape of steep ridges and deep valleys, forming the watershed for five major rivers, which flow into Lake Edward. This diverse terrain enhances the park’s rich ecosystems, supporting a wide array of flora and fauna.
While gorillas are the main attraction, Bwindi also shelters:
✅ 120 species of mammals, including chimpanzees, baboons, elephants, and forest antelopes
✅ Over 350 bird species, featuring 23 Albertine Rift endemics such as the African green broadbill and Shelley’s crimsonwing
✅ 200+ species of butterflies, including eight Albertine Rift endemics
✅ A variety of reptiles and amphibians, adding to the park’s remarkable biodiversity
The neighboring towns of Buhoma and Nkuringo provide an immersive cultural experience, offering visitors a chance to interact with:
🔹 The Bakiga people, known for their rich traditions and storytelling
🔹 The Batwa (Pygmies), the forest’s original inhabitants, who share their hunter-gatherer heritage through performances, workshops, and village walks
These towns also feature a range of accommodations, from luxury lodges to budget-friendly bandas and campsites, as well as restaurants, craft markets, and guiding services.
✔️ The best place in the world for mountain gorilla trekking
✔️ One of Africa’s most biologically diverse forests
✔️ A sanctuary for over 120 mammals and 350 bird species
✔️ Opportunities for cultural experiences with the Batwa and Bakiga communities
✔️ A UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its global ecological importance
Whether you’re trekking through dense jungle in search of gorillas, listening to the calls of rare birds, or engaging with local cultures, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers an unforgettable adventure into one of Africa’s last great wildernesses. 🌍🦍🌿
Download Park brochure here BINP PARK BROCHURE
GREEN PARKS
Uganda’s national parks and reserves exemplify environmental stewardship and climate-friendly practices, with all areas adhering to sustainable management principles that preserve biodiversity and natural habitats. We ensure that the natural landscapes remain pristine and resilient against climate change.
By Road
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed following several routes. Here are some of the most common routes to take.
Kampala City – Ntungamo Town – Rukungiri Town – Kihihi Town – Buhoma Town
This is perhaps the quickest and most direct route for tourists traveling from Kampala. The route follows a tarmacked jorueny for about 390 kilometers to Rukungiri followed by 82 kilometers on winding murram roads to the park’s headquarters at Buhoma.
Kampala City – Kabale Town – Kanungu Town – Buhoma HQ
The route is tarmacked for about 414 kilometers between Kampala and Kabale for approximately 6 hours after which tourists follow a winding murram road for 120 kilometers through Kanungu and Kanyantorogo for another 5 hrs until you reach Buhoma where the park’s headquarters are found. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended.
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya) – Kihihi Town – Buhoma HQ
This route leads through Queen Elizabeth National Park’s southerly called Ishasha, providing the chance of a stopover in search of the iconic tree-climbing lions. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is approximately 160 kilometers from Mweya and about 64 kilometers from Ishasha. The journey is mainly along a dirt road. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended.
Kampala City – Kabale Town – Ruhija Sector – Buhoma HQ
The distance from Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma is about 95 kilometers over a winding murram road; a journey that lasts about 4 hours. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended.
Kampala City – Kabale Town – Nkuringo Sector
The distance from Kabale to Nkuringo is about 105 kilometers; approximately 4 hours in total along a mountainous murram road. The majority of tourists often overnight in Kisoro which is about 80 kilometers from Kabale town before proceeding to Nkuringo or the Rushaga sector the following morning for the gorilla trek. The road from Kisoro is a winding 35-kilometer journey that takes at least one hour or an hour and a half. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for both approaches to Nkuringo.
By Air
Bwindi is served by a series of flights including a daily scheduled flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip for tourists visiting the park’s southern sectors of Nkuringo and Rushaga. From Kisoro, tourists will need a 4WD vehicle to transfer them along a winding murram road to their lodge in time for the next day’s trek. The park’s northerly frontier is served by a schedule of daily flights from Entebbe to Kihihi airstrip from which tourists will need a 4WD vehicle to transfer them along a winding murram road to their lodge in time for the next day’s trek.
Scheduled and chartered flights last only about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Word from the Executive Director
Welcome to the official website of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). I am honored to serve as the Executive Director of this remarkable institution, entrusted with the stewardship of Uganda’s unique and diverse wildlife heritage.
Uganda’s protected areas are home to some of the world’s most iconic species and landscapes, from the mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi, to the roaring waterfalls of Murchison, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. These natural wonders are not only vital to our national identity but also to our economy, environment, and global biodiversity.
At UWA, we are committed to conserving wildlife and ecosystems through inclusive, innovative, and science-led approaches. We place a strong emphasis on community involvement, tourism development, environmental education, and combating wildlife crime. Our mandate goes beyond protection, it includes ensuring that wildlife conservation contributes to the well-being of communities and the sustainable development of our nation.
This website is a gateway to understanding our work, accessing real-time information, and discovering how you can support conservation efforts. Whether you are a tourist, researcher, investor, conservation partner, or passionate citizen, we invite you to engage with us and be part of this shared responsibility.
Together, let us ensure that Uganda’s wildlife and wild places continue to thrive for us and for future generations.
Conserving for Generations
Dr. James Musinguzi, PhD
Executive Director
