Bwindi Impenetrable forest

At a Glance

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda, on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, dating back over 25,000 years and home to almost 400 species of plants.

More famously, this “impenetrable forest” protects an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population – including several habituated groups that can be tracked. The park covers 32,000 ha and is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, with more than 160 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns. It also hosts many endangered species, including the mountain gorilla.

This biologically diverse region shelters over 120 mammals, including primates such as baboons and chimpanzees, along with elephants and antelopes. Around 350 bird species are found here, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.

Nearby Buhoma and Nkuringo offer an array of luxury lodges, rustic bandas, and budget campsites, along with restaurants, craft stalls, and guiding services. Visitors can explore local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops, and village walks.