Tarec Gorilla Safaris

"There are places on earth that earn their names honestly, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of them."

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most ancient and ecologically significant forests in Africa. Tucked into the remote southwestern corner of Uganda, on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, it has survived ice ages, climate shifts, and the destruction of most of the surrounding forest cover to remain, today, an irreplaceable sanctuary and the best place on earth to encounter the mountain gorilla in the wild.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Bwindi covers 321 square kilometres of steep, mist-draped terrain at altitudes ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres above sea level.

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450+ Mountain Gorillas

321 Square Kilometres

25,000+ Years Old Forest

Gorilla Trekking

The Gorillas of Bwindi

Home to roughly half the world's total population of mountain gorillas

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi is home to roughly half the world's total population of mountain gorillas — a species so endangered, so charismatic, and so deeply connected to our own evolutionary history that an encounter with one is capable of moving grown travellers to tears.

The park currently protects over 450 individual gorillas distributed across multiple family groups, of which more than 20 have been habituated to human presence for tourism or research purposes.

Gorilla trekking begins at one of four entry points — Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Rushaga in the south, and Nkuringo in the southwest — each offering access to different habituated groups and different terrain. Groups of eight visitors per family per day are led by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and expert trackers into the forest at dawn.

When contact is made, the hour that follows is unlike any other wildlife experience. A silverback sits in the undergrowth with the settled, unhurried authority of an animal that fears nothing. Females nurse infants with a tenderness that is immediately recognisable. Juveniles tumble over each other in play.

Gorilla permits are priced at USD 700 per person and must be booked well in advance, particularly during the peak season of June to September and December to February.

20+ Habituated Gorilla Families

$700 Gorilla Permit Cost

8 Visitors Per Family Per Day

Bwindi's Four Trekking Sectors

Buhoma

The northern sector — the most popular and accessible entry point, with the highest concentration of lodges.

Most Popular Mubare Group Habinyanja Group

Ruhija

The eastern sector — a quieter, higher-altitude area offering excellent birding and gorilla trekking.

Birding Bitukura Group Less Crowded

Rushaga

The southern sector — home to the most habituated gorilla families and the gorilla habituation experience.

Habituation 4 Hour Experience Multiple Groups

Nkuringo

The southwestern sector — the steepest and most remote, offering breathtaking views over the forest canopy.

Remote Spectacular Views Nkuringo Group

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Beyond the Gorillas

Bwindi's Wildlife, Culture & Practicalities

A UNESCO World Heritage Site with extraordinary biodiversity and cultural richness

Bwindi is far more than a gorilla sanctuary. The forest supports chimpanzees, l'Hoest's monkeys, black-and-white colobus, olive baboons, and several other primate species. Its bird list is exceptional, with 23 Albertine Rift endemics including the African green broadbill, Shelley's crimsonwing, and the stunning Grauer's rush warbler.

1,000+ Plant Species

360 Bird Species

120+ Mammal Species

23 Albertine Rift Endemics

The communities surrounding Bwindi are deeply woven into the park's story. The Batwa forest-dwelling hunter-gatherers who lived inside Bwindi for thousands of years before the park's establishment offer cultural experiences that are both moving and enlightening, sharing their deep knowledge of forest plants, traditional practices, and the history of their extraordinary relationship with the forest.

Accommodation ranges from luxury lodges with stunning valley views — several perched literally on the forest edge — to mid-range bandas and budget guesthouses in the surrounding villages.

Getting There: Bwindi is approximately eight to nine hours by road from Kampala, or accessible via charter flight to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips. The best time to trek is during the dry seasons (December to February and June to September), though the forest can be visited year-round.

Combine your Bwindi experience with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, wildlife in Queen Elizabeth, or the mighty Murchison Falls for a complete Uganda safari experience. Browse our Uganda safari packages for more inspiration.

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