Elephants in Murchison FallsMeet the gentle giants in their natural habitatThe Mighty Murchison falls
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1994. The most common mistake by tourists to Bwindi National Park is staying at a lodge which is far away from the sector in which the gorilla tracking is.
The various sectors are where the gorilla groups are found. These sectors vary in terrain and accommodation offers.
Buhoma is the most popular as the terrain is not as steep and there are hotels to suit each taste and budget. The park’s headquarters is located at Buhoma. The sector is ideal for mountain biking, cultural tours and bird watching. If driving from Kampala through Kabale and Kanungu to Buhoma, it is a 5-6 hour journey.
Ruhija has the highest hiking trail with few accommodation options. Other wildlife species that are in Ruhija include elephants, Columbus monkeys and the African green broadbill. Since there are few tourists, Ruhija is popular among eco-tourists. If driving from Kampala through Kabale to Ruhija, the journey is 4-5 hours.
Nkuringo has the best views of Virunga Volcanoes to the south and of Bwindi Forest to the north. Nkuringo trail is the most difficult. As such the trek is recommended to visitors who are physically fit. The If driving from Kampala through Buhoma, expect to be on the road for 8 hours.
Rushaga is the most populated sector with mountain gorillas yet quite strenuous. The trek goes through the forest, to the waterfalls and cultural visits to villages. If driving from Kampala through Ruhija, expect to be on the road for 8 hours.
Best time to visit Bwindi National Park depends on you and this will mostly depend on the gorilla permits availability. Though dry seasons are more comfortable to trek, plan to buy permits early in advance(a year) before they sell out. The best months are mid-December to early February, and June to September.
Camp or stay at a lodge close to the gorilla trekking sector you choose.