Uganda is, in Winston Churchill's enduring phrase, the Pearl of Africa — and no country on the continent packs such astonishing diversity into so compact and green a land. Its crown jewel is the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, an ancient UNESCO-listed rainforest that shelters almost half of all the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Trekking into this misty, primeval jungle to spend a permit-protected hour with a wild gorilla family is one of the great experiences of any life. But Uganda offers so much more. In Kibale Forest you track chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, through the canopy. In Queen Elizabeth National Park you cruise the wildlife-thronged Kazinga Channel and search the Ishasha plains for the famous tree-climbing lions — a rare behaviour seen in only a handful of places on Earth. Add the thundering Murchison Falls, the source of the Nile, over 1,000 bird species and a warm, welcoming culture, and Uganda emerges as the most complete primate-and-wildlife destination in Africa. With gorilla permits at half the cost of neighbouring Rwanda, it offers all this at remarkable value — a richly rewarding journey for the adventurous traveller.
We don't just track the gorillas. We help you understand the forest. Bwindi is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa — gorillas, chimpanzees and hundreds of birds share it. The right guide turns a trek into a lesson in a whole living world.
At a glance, Bwindi & Uganda spans 331 km² (Bwindi), gorillas, chimps, lions & big game, protected since UNESCO Site 1994 — and the best time to be here is typically Jun – Sep & Dec – Feb.
Gorilla Trekking in the Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi is aptly named — a dense, ancient rainforest of tangled vines, towering trees and swirling mist, home to almost half the world's mountain gorillas. With expert trackers leading the way, you push through the undergrowth until you find them: a gorilla family at rest in a forest clearing, a silverback watching calmly, infants tumbling through the foliage. For one permit-protected hour you share their world, in one of the wildest and most moving encounters on Earth.
- Trek into a UNESCO-listed rainforest sheltering half the world's mountain gorillas
- Spend a permit-protected hour with a wild gorilla family
- Expert trackers and guides who know each family intimately
- Gorilla permits at $800 — half the cost of neighbouring Rwanda
Why Go
- Trek mountain gorillas in the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Track chimpanzees in Kibale, the primate capital of East Africa
- See the famous tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth's Ishasha plains
- Cruise the Kazinga Channel, teeming with hippo, elephant and birdlife
- Over 1,000 bird species — the richest birding in Africa
- Gorilla permits at half the cost of Rwanda — exceptional value
The Animals of Bwindi & Uganda
Of the Big Five you can expect Tree-Climbing Lion, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard here. Here is what the guiding team looks for on a typical few days in the bush.
Mountain Gorilla. Bwindi shelters almost half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas
Chimpanzee. Kibale Forest holds one of the highest chimp densities in Africa
Tree-Climbing Lion. Queen Elizabeth's Ishasha lions famously rest in fig trees
Elephant. Both savannah and forest elephants roam Uganda's parks
Buffalo. Large herds gather along the Kazinga Channel and plains
Leopard. Elusive but present in the savannah parks
Hippopotamus. The Kazinga Channel holds one of Africa's densest hippo populations
1,000+ Bird Species. The richest birdlife in Africa, including the rare shoebill stork
Safari Experiences
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Half to full day · Primate Trek
Trek into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with expert trackers to spend a permit-protected hour with a wild mountain gorilla family. One of the wildest and most moving wildlife encounters on Earth — and at half the permit cost of Rwanda.
Best for: Bucket-list travellers, Adventurers, Nature lovers.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale
Half day · Primate Trek
Track habituated chimpanzees through the rainforest of Kibale, the primate capital of East Africa. Listen for their calls and watch them feed, groom and play high in the canopy — an exhilarating encounter with our closest living relatives.
Best for: Primate lovers, Adventurers, Families.
Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha
Half day · Game Drive
Search the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park for its famous tree-climbing lions, which drape themselves over the branches of fig trees — a rare behaviour seen in only a handful of places on Earth.
Best for: Wildlife lovers, Photographers, Couples.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
2–3 hours · Water Safari
Cruise the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where one of Africa's greatest concentrations of hippo and elephant gathers along the shore alongside prolific birdlife — a relaxed, spectacular wildlife experience.
Best for: Families, Photographers, Birders.
Savannah Game Drives
3 hours (twice daily) · Game Drive
Explore the savannah of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks by open vehicle, in search of elephant, buffalo, lion, Uganda kob, giraffe and a wealth of plains game beneath dramatic landscapes.
Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, Families, First-timers.
Murchison Falls & the Nile
Half to full day · Scenic
Witness the world's most powerful waterfall, where the mighty Nile is forced through a seven-metre gorge, then cruise the river to its base past hippos, crocodiles and elephants. A breathtaking natural spectacle.
Best for: Scenic lovers, Adventurers, Families.
Our Favourite Places to Stay
We hand-pick every camp and lodge we use in Bwindi & Uganda. These are the addresses we return to, chosen for their guiding, their location and the way they make the wilderness feel like your own.
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp ★★★★★
From $980 per person per night. The only camp set deep inside the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — eight tented suites where gorillas regularly wander through, putting you closer to the trailheads than anywhere else.
- 8 luxury tented suites
- Set inside Bwindi forest
- Gorillas often pass camp
- Spa & viewing deck
Sanctuary Retreats · Bwindi's only in-forest camp
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge ★★★★★
From $1200 per person per night. Perched at 2,000m on the Nkuringo ridge, Uganda's first ultra-luxury lodge offers eight volcanic-stone cottages with vast views across Bwindi to the Virunga volcanoes.
- 8 volcanic-stone cottages
- Nkuringo ridge at 2,000m
- Private butler service
- Spa & lounge
Wildplaces Africa · community-partnership lodge
Bwindi Lodge ★★★★★
From $850 per person per night. Volcanoes Safaris' flagship perched on the very edge of Bwindi — eight elegant bandas overlooking a forested valley where gorillas frequently appear at the treeline.
- 8 bandas above the forest
- Gorillas at the treeline
- Eco-conscious design
- Volcanoes Safaris signature
Long Run Global Ecosphere Retreat
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge ★★★★
From $620 per person per night. A warm, community-rooted lodge on the southern Nkuringo edge of Bwindi, with sweeping cottages framing the Virunga volcanoes and direct access to a quieter gorilla sector.
- Cottages & farmhouse rooms
- Panoramic Virunga views
- Wellness & massage
- Community-focused
Responsible Tourism · Nkuringo community lodge
When to Visit
Long Dry Season (Jun – Sep). The most popular time, with drier forest trails for gorilla and chimp trekking and excellent game viewing. Book permits well ahead. Wildlife: prime trekking & game viewing; weather 18–28°C, drier.
Short Dry Season (Dec – Feb). A second excellent window with good trekking conditions, lush scenery and fewer crowds between the rains. Wildlife: excellent trekking; weather 18–28°C, drier.
Rainy Seasons (Mar – May & Oct – Nov). Wetter, muddier trails but gorillas and chimps are tracked year-round, the forests are gloriously green and lodges are quieter. Wildlife: year-round primate tracking; weather 16–27°C, frequent rain.
Getting There
Fly into Entebbe International Airport, near the capital Kampala. From there, Uganda's parks can be reached by scenic road transfer or by light aircraft to airstrips near Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth. Many travellers also access Bwindi via Kigali in Rwanda, which is closer to the southern gorilla sectors. We arrange all flights, transfers and permits for a smooth journey through the Pearl of Africa.
- Entebbe: Scenic drive or 1.5-hr flight (460 km to Bwindi)
- Kigali (Rwanda): Popular access for southern parks (Closer to Bwindi)
- Nairobi: 1.5-hour flight to Entebbe (500 km)
Combine It With
The finest journeys rarely stop at one destination. Here is how our specialists most often pair Bwindi & Uganda:
- Rwanda Volcanoes — Two gorilla destinations across one border — combine for treks in different forests.
- Masai Mara Kenya — Pair Uganda's primates with the Mara's big cats for East Africa's full range.
- Serengeti Tanzania — Add the Serengeti's plains and migration to a gorilla-focused trip.
Plan Your Journey
Every trip we craft to Bwindi & Uganda is private and built around you — your dates, your pace and the wildlife you most want to see. Our specialists have travelled this ground themselves and design each itinerary by hand. Contact our team to begin planning, or explore our Bwindi & Uganda destination guide for more detail.
