Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi was an excellent, if expensive, experience. I'm often asked if it was "worth it" and honestly that's a tough question. The price tag is really high, no doubt. It was an incredible day though and I justify it to myself as voting for conservation.

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.

The thrill of approaching a few meters from the gorillas is indescribable!

“Great Tour Company, thrilling gorilla trekking in the mist in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest”

“Great Tour Company, thrilling gorilla trekking in the mist in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest”
I and my friends were overwhelmed by the exhilarating tour to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Under Charis Uganda Safaris Ltd, we went to Trek the gentle giant - the mountain Gorilla - we were professionally handled by our tour guide Joseph Olupot who was friendly and helpful. The Gorilla Trekking was well organised and the park rangers were magnificent. Should you desire to have a great experience while on holiday, consider Uganda and Charis Uganda Safaris Ltd.

A wildlife memorable hour

A friend and I went to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in May 2016 to see the Mountain Gorillas via Kampala where we work. Our trip was planned with great detail and our local guide Martin Ngabirano met with us a few days before our trip to see if we had any additional questions about the trekking. Martin, is very personable, extremely knowledgable about the culture, environment and an excellent birder. Our three day trip started early in the morning from Kampala with a mid day stop at the Equator for a bite to eat and a few pictures. The drive is approximately 10 hours through hilly and mountainous geographical areas of Western Uganda. That evening we stayed at the Rushaga Gorilla Camp which I would highly recommend for trekkers. The staff was helpful and the scenery from the lodge is beautiful.

On the second morning we left for the Rushaga Gate for gorilla orientation and to meet the ranger, trekkers, guide and porters. Do hire a porter to carry your backpack, camera bag, and help you through some physically demanding areas and you are helping the local people. The time it takes to trek the gorillas can vary from a half an hour to 6+ hours. Our guide told us that we would be following the Bweza Gorilla Group. We hiked for approximately an hour and a half before we saw our first subadult. We were instructed to keep our distance to 7 meters but on occasions it can be closer due to the where the animals are feeding next to the trail. Visitors to the forest are allowed 1 hour to observe the gorillas and may take photos, and videos at this time. No flash is allowed. We saw 8 of the family members, feeding, and climbing trees. To spend this hour with these astonishing beautiful animals and the very skilled rangers, and guides was a life time experience. After the gorilla trekking we left the Rushaga gate and drove two hours to visit the Ruhija community Orphanage just outside the Ruhija gate in Bwindi. This orphanage is run by remarkable lady, Happy and the children are taught by a dedicated staff. Ruhija Little Angels Orphanage and Primary School is found on Facebook. We spent the night in the Ruhija community at the Trekkers Tervan which is comfortable.

The third morning after breakfast we headed back to Kampala and and on our way we saw Blue Monkeys, numerous birds and gorgeous scenery.

The gorilla permit is now $600 except during the rainy season months which are April, May and November when the permit is $450.00 When you go gorilla tracking, you are not just supporting the protection of the gorillas as well as the surrounding communities, but also helping to preserve the entire Uganda National Park System.

Going to be with Gorillas is the experience of a lifetime !

In brief : Lush scenery,rugged hiking, wonderful people, fantastic experience ! The trackers do a remarkable job as do the guides and porters ! Shout out to Obit , the head guide who is so generous with his wealth of knowledge about this territory. And thank the porters for their help especially Robert, Joseph, and Agnes.

A great place to be

Visiting Bwindi makes me feel proud because the scenery was very great. I was very much interested in the Gorillas and it was worth it. Having a closer look at gorillas to me answers most of my serious doubts I had about documentaries. I like trying new stuff e.g. the local dishes (matooke) and meeting new people. This is a plus for the park, country, and the people, they are so nice.

My close encounter with a silverback

we started with a briefing from park warden and we then started our tracking and i was the 4 person in the line of 8 and i was so curious to see these giant apes, so this kept my eyes so open and focused. we moved like for 1 and half hours and we finally found them the mothers were carrying their young ones on back being escorted by a silver back and they walked near us and felt like shivering but i got courage because we were briefed on how to behave.

Gorilla Trek was amazing & the Golden Monkeys.

6 day Safari in Uganda/Rwanda.

Amazing Buhoma cottages in Bwindi, & le Bambou Gorilla lodge in Volcanoe were all fantastic with thrilling reception worth value for our Mid-Range expectation. The experience of tracking a Gorilla family in Bwindi rainforest park & in Volcanoe will last a lifetime, Truly African.