Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

It was really impressive to see the animals up close. But in a smaller group it would be even better to really get a full score under bush vibe

The safari was very good organized by Lifetime Experience.

A Challenging Yet Rewarding Adventure

When I decided to visit Bwindi to track to the mountain gorillas, I expected it to be fairly challenging, but as luck would have it, it was much tougher than anticipated. We stayed at Lake Mutanda Resort, a small camp about a 90 minute drive from Bwindi's southern Rushaga gate. The camp - which involved staying in wooden huts with an astonishing view over the lake and the Virunga volcanoes - was lovely, but staying so far out from the forest meant a very early start to drive on the 'African massage roads' to get to the track briefing point for 8am.

During the briefing, one of UWA's rangers explained to us how the gorilla trek would work, what we should expect, and what we should do when we faced the gorillas. We were also warned that if they discovered we were sick with any airborne illness, we'd be taken back down the mountain, as the gorillas are very susceptible to human illnesses. Each gorilla family has eight permits a day, and on the day we were there, they were completely full. We were assigned to track one of the 'further away' groups, the Kahungye family. This group has 18 members including 3 silverbacks, but would involve a hard hike. We were driven the 25 minutes to our trail starting point and then had to walk up the side of the mountain for an hour to reach the edge of the forest. The views were remarkable. Inside the forest, we walked for about an hour more and then we reached the gorilla family. The hour we spent with them was magical. Just being able to quietly observe their behaviour as they sat, eating leaves and picking insects from each others' fur was breath-taking. It also felt quite adventurous, with our rangers hacking at the dense vegetation (and it really is dense) to get us closer to various family members. At one point, a silverback mock charged us to show his strength and we were left in no doubt about who was the boss!

The walk back was equally as challenging because by this point, we were out of energy and my legs were feeling sore. The guide gave us a 30 minute lunch break to refuel and recover before we slogged back through the rainforest. As we came out of the trees onto the side of the mountain, we were greeted with a stunning view of the Virunga volcanoes. The weather for the entire trek was warm and sunny, although it was humid in the rainforest and the ground underfoot was slippery in places. On the way down the mountain, we stopped for a mini award ceremony with our guide to receive our certificates and play a hilarious game of 'gorilla charades'.

Our guide was very knowledgeable about the gorillas and the forest, but also very good at reading when the group was struggling and needed a rest. As I was the slowest, he put me at the front so everyone had to walk on my pace. This may have frustrated some of the athletes behind me, but it meant I made it there and back. I also hired a porter, a lovely young girl from a local village, and she carried my bag with all my camera equipment and pulled me up the particularly steep and slippy parts.

All in all, visiting Bwindi was a once in a lifetime experience (although I wouldn't rule out a second experience one day!) Although the hike was tough, there are easier families to access, and if you're prepared, it's certainly achievable. And in any case, the hour you spend with our gorilla cousins is something you will never forget.

Incredibly close to "The Gentle Giants"

We walked for one and a half hours before we found the gorillas. They kept moving and was in a dark part of the forest. It was a photographic challenge. Eventually they appeared in a sunlit glade and sat down to eat. All too soon, our hour with the gorillas passed and we had to go back. We were back in one hour.
It was an amazing experience to be so close to the animals and really be in the jungle. It takes effort to go through the jungle but if you are in normal shape it is no problem. It is possible to make all the breaks you want on the way out there and on the way home. We needed to keep pace with the gorillas when they moved, but it was not that hard.
The day with the gorillas, I will never forget.
The only thing I think could have been better was if we had had the energy to see more of the forest and its other inhabitants. We were all (tourists and guides) so focused on gorillas that I did not see other animals on the 4-5 hours I spent in the forrest.

Gorillas-gorillas-gorillas!

We just did the gorilla trekking at Bwindi, which was truly the highlight of our 3-week-roadtrip! We came up close with the gorillas (this family was one of the first to be habituated to humans), and could observe their behavior for an hour.
The scenery is stunning as well, especially in the morning light! There are some walks (only guided) in the park as well, but we didn't do any of these.
We spent the night in the Buhoma Community Rest Camp, planning on pitching our tent, but we decided to go for a banda as it was pouring rain. This was 100$ per person, which is steep compared to other parks, with shared bathroom and toilet. Besides this, the staff was very friendly and helpful and the food delicious (though quite pricey, too)!

Well worth the trip off the beaten path. I stay at Broadbill lodge which is a tent overlooking the rainforest. Their hospitality was excellent. Meals were good and the accommodations provided a real coming feel. It rained at least twice a day. The vegetation was marvelous. A lot of Ephiphytes on the tree trunks. We trekked about 12 km roundtrip to see the Gorilla's on steep hills. Be prepared to bring rain gear because we were drenched on the way back. Also be ready physically because trekking can be quite a challenge. Birding was limited because of the tree cover in the Jungle I am sure that would be a separate trip altogether given the time frame of my visit. The Ugandan Wildlife Authority rangers are very versed and professional, and very informative throughout.

This is quite an amazing adventure

It takes quite a lot of effort to get to Bwindi but the journey is well worth it if you get to see a Mountain Gorilla which generally most people do. This is really why you go there. I have worked for the National Parks Service in Australia so i went with a critical eye as to how the experience was managed but particularly how the Gorilla trekking was managed, especially since there are only 880 Mountain Gorillas left in the world. And i was very impressed. I stood within four metres of a Silverback and his family after a five hour hike with my heart thumping a million miles an hour. The guide was fantastic. You are only allowed one hour with the Gorillas but it was a truly wonderful experience to see these magnificent animals in their environment. A word of caution. The trip to get there from Kampala is long and arduous and if you get car sick then the last two hours could be hell but i dont so i just took it all in and had a wonderful time. I highly recommend going. It's a good idea to take a stop at Lake Mburo and/or Queen Elizabeth national parks on the way.

Dream coming true Gorilla interaction experience

We planned this trip around the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Mountain - Gorillas and was expecting wet weather and muddy dirt roads and slippery hike thru the undergrowth. The Torrential rains was not disappointing the day before the hike - I was drenched within 2-3 meter when running from the reception to the bungalow - but the next morning we experience a road that was partially washed away with mudslides that covered a 60-75% of the road on the uphill side of the road and cave in scenarios on the down hill side of the road - Needless to say that it was not impossible to uncontrolled heading down hill if it was not for our experienced Driver ( Tolbert from Encounter Arica Safari's ) with the permanent 4 x 4 Hi- Ace bus that take us up ( slipping and sliding) to the mountains thru washed away and blocked roads (tree fell a crossed the road)at some places. The scenery up there was breath taking and the hardworking local villagers plowing the lands with picks i must say was an eye opener for me--(I couldn't believe that all those lands was not work with the aid of tractors and farming implements)
The weather was playing along and we had a perfect day trekking the Gorillas . Even the Gorillas played along and we did found the with a hour and a half since we started the long trek downhill ( I must say another bonus for me--at the age of 58 this is not a joke to trek thru thick undergrowth vegetation with hooks and thorns) -- but I'm not complaining - I was enjoying every minute of it even when I dropped down a washed away hole in the pathway the tracker indicated to us. Then we got our first glimpse of the mountain gorillas in the distance --about 300meter away. I must say the silence was overwhelming and the only thing we hear was the cracking of the boots and clothing against the undergrowth. as we move forward towards the gorillas. We spend the allowed 1 hour in their midst. We were surrounded by 16 Gorillas - 2 x silverbacks, youngsters. 2 x babies and females. Soft whispers and the clicking sound of the cameras as the picture were taken from the group could be clearly heard as the gorillas was in front, left and right next to us, behind and above us . And to soon the hour was up and we had to move on. This was also an experience and a half -- we basically move back at an angle varying from 45º to 75º to the road where our transport will collect us. Now nearly dead when we reached the road . I was puffing, heaving and my heart was beating about 2 feet above my head and this is where i realized why they called it a rain forest-- The sweat was raining from my head.
The food was also very nice especially the fruit - Sweet and very fruity.

Bwindi National Park is well worth every hard hike and every hard earned dollar.

My trip to Bwindi to trek gorillas was absolutely incredible, it's a must-do for anyone traveling to Uganda. Uganda is one of only a few countries that offers this experience, it's a beautiful and lavish country to trek in.

The staff at Bwindi is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The trek to find the gorillas ranges in time and difficulty; a hike can take from 1-5 hours and can be strenuous depending where the gorillas are located that day. I suggest wearing your best hiking boots and brining a lot of water.

The family of gorillas in Bwindi are not threatening at all, the staff have been working with the families for years and they have become quite accustomed to people. One of my top life experiences.

One of the unforgettable days of my life with the mountain gorilla!

We spent with a group 2 days at the park. The gorilla trakking was simply amazing. We thought, it is wuite expensive, but afterwords i think, it was worth every cent of it. To be so close to those animals was simply undescribable. One female even touched me. To see playing the younglings was phantastic. I really had to concentrate, that i turn of my camera and enjoy the moment. The feeling remains with me.

The park crew was very supportive, very friendly and very competent. They informed us very well what to do, what not to do. I also made a walk to the 3 waterfalls, which was also great. I always had the feeling, thta our guide knew what he was doing. He instucted us nicely but stricktly, how to conserve the territory for another generations. I felt, that the park is not simply an financial income source, but the people really love their home and the nature.

The village was nice, the people really nice. With the honey maker Agaba i still have connection. The childrens dance on the school was a bit too much show. I felt sorry for them instead of joy, that they dance and sing. I knew, the make it every day.

I was thinking about the masks, and gift stores. I wished more t-shirts, and less gorilla masks. I think the tourists really wanted the traditional stuff, not the fake modern touristic things to buy.

I wished for a bit longer running of the generator in the evening. The camp site was still really nice, confortable and welcoming.

Thank You for the great experience!