The Mountain Gorillas

Interesting Tourist’s Attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda Gorilla Tracking Safari

Bitukura Mountain Gorilla Family

The mountain gorilla family as named after the river where it was first seen (a time when it had 224 members).

This group can be found while enjoying a trek along the Ruhija trailhead of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Impressively, Bitukura’s habituation began in July 2007 and ended in October 2008; this was shorter than the average habituation which takes at least 2 (two) years.

More to the wonders, this group is not led by the oldest silverback but by Ndahura the second youngest of three (3) silverbacks in the group.

The group has over the years lost some of its members (including Rukara silverback) to other mountain gorilla families but its leader has not let down the mantle; he continues to keep them united.

Ndahura and Ruhara (one of the adult females) had a baby to add to the famiily. The group also has periodic “get-togethers” with the Kyaguriro mountain gorilla family of the same Ruhija sector. The group currently has 14 individuals

Busingye Mountain Gorilla Family

This group gets its name from its alpha silverback called Busingye. Like Bweza, Kahungye, Mishaya and Nshongi mountain gorilla families, this family is also found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The word “Busingye” translates in English to mean “peace” but this is not the accurate description of this family’s silverback.

Busingye silverback was formerly a member of the Kahungye mountain gorilla family (which can be found in the Rushaga sector).

In June 2012, he broke away from the Kahungye family with seven (7) members. Busingye has mastered the art of snatching females from other mountain gorilla families to add to his own. He has been able to grow the family to its current nine (9) members.

Bweza Mountain Gorilla Family

Like Mishaya, this is another product of the Nshongi Mountain Gorilla family which was the largest mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The group’s alpha silverback Bweza broke off from the Nshongi family to form his own family. His family has been open to tourists for over two (2) years now an can be found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi.

Habinyanja Mountain Gorilla Family

This family is quite migratory. Sometimes it can be seen before and hours’ drive before arriving at the Buhoma trailhead but they reside more in the northern part of the forest.

The group’s habituation started in1997and was under the leadership of an old silverback called Mugurusi whose name means old man.

After some time Mugurusi passed on and left power in the hands of two brothers Rwansigazi and Mwirima the latter very reserved while the former very adventurous.

They ruled together for some time but their leadership styles were highly dissimilar and this caused divisions in the family.

In order to prevent a possible battle, the group decided to peacefully split in 2002.the group that left with Rwansigazi still has the name Habinyaja while the other family members who preferred Mwirima’s leadership style remained at a place called Rushegura to form the present day Rushegura mountain gorilla family.

The family has 17 members including one dominant silverback a blackback, eight (6) adult females, two (2) sub-adult females, three (3) juveniles and four (4) infants.

Kahungye Mountain Gorilla Family

Named after a hill in their resting place, the Kahugye Mountain Gorilla Family is one of the park’s newest mountain gorilla families situated in the southern part of the park in the Rushaga sector.

The group was opened to visitors in October 2011 after its successful habituation. The group was huge with 27 members including three (3) very powerful silverbacks.

However a disgruntled Busingye mountain gorilla split with this family reducing the family to just above thirteen (13) mountain gorillas.

Kahungye is not steered by its most dominant silverback called Gwigi whose name means door in a local dialect.

The group is open to daily visits by tourists all year round who after finding it can spend up to sixty (60) minutes with it.

Kyaguriro Mountain Gorilla Family

Although it has never been visited by any mountain gorilla trekkers, the Kyaguriro mountain gorilla family is one of the most treasured mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The group was first habituated in 1999 and has since then been dedicated to research only by the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology.

This family has served as the lab rat to understand the greater mountain gorilla population. This group has seen a number of regimes of silverbacks including its very frist silverback Zeus who was banished into the forest by Rukina where he later died.

On easter Monday April 6^th, 2015 Bwindi received news of the tragic death of Rukina who had only grown to make 31 years.

He was replaced by the next silverback in line called Rukara who now leads a family of fourteen (14) members.

The Kyaguriro mountain gorilla family currently rests on the northeastern border to the west of the park to the west of the Ruhija trailhead where it continues to be studied from.

Mishaya Mountain Gorilla Family

This group was named after its first alpha silverback Mishaya. Mishaya was the pioneer of rebellions in the Nshongi mountain gorilla family, breaking away with ten (10) of its members in July 2010.

He laid an example for another silverback in the family called Bweza who also broke away from the Nshongi group two years later to form his own family.

He was known as a starter of fights but in April 2012 he started a fight with a wild mountain gorilla group that lost him the life of an infant and almost cost him his life thanks to the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project which quickly came to his rescue.

Mishaya later passed on in February 2014 but he had done a great job in growing this family to twelve (12) members who can be visited today.

The family is now led by Mwiine the new alpha  silverback and can be visited while on a Uganda gorilla trekking Safari in the Rushaga sector.

Mubare Mountain Gorilla Family

This was the very first mountain gorilla family to ever be habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The family is named after the nearby Mubare hills and can be found in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi under the leadership of an alpha silverback called Kanyonyi.

The habituation process for the Mubare mountain gorilla family started in October 1991 by the skillful Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) experts   and ended two (2) years later.

At the time of its habituation it was under the leadership of Ruhondeza who fathered a family of eighteen (18). Over its many years it has suffered a number of misfortunes like raids by wild mountain gorilla families, kidnappings, deaths and defections by some members which greatly reduced the group’s numbers.

The group received one of its worst raids by a wild mountain gorilla family in 2012 which injured and kidnapped most of its members.

Ruhondeza tried to fight them off but because of his old age he was over-powered. He therefore absconded deep into the forest because of the unbearable sadness in his heart.

We are told that he died three (3) months later in his sleep when he was above his fifties and his grave can be visited by tourists today.

The five (5) members who were deserted by Ruhondeza in 2012 have been increased by the effortless contribution of their current alpha silverback called Kanyonyi.

Nkuringo Mountain Gorilla Family

This mountain gorilla family lives in one of the most tedious and challenging gorilla tracking trailheads in the whole of Bwindi but encountering it is one of the most satisfying experiences of a lifetime.

The family was named after their founding alpha silverback called Nkuringo whose name in Rukiga translates as “Round Hill”.

The family’s successful habituation ended in 2004 and Nkuringo died four years later. He was survived by two sons called Rafiki (meaning friend in Kiswahili) and Safari.

Safari took on the leadership of the family and has been able to firmly hold all its members together through times of happiness and seasons of trial.

The family blissfully welcomed healthy baby twins just seven months into Safari’s reign and they were named Muhoozi and Katungi.

Unfortunately, Katungi could not live to see his second birthday. Today the family has 19 members including two (2) silverbacks.

Nshongi Mountain Gorilla Family

This mountain gorilla family can be found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and is led by an alpha silverback called Nshongi.

The group receives its name from a nearby stream which was named “Omushongi Gwoboki” which in English means honey.

The stream was called so because of the brownish color of its waters. The group was opened up for tourists’ visits in September 2009 with the biggest habituated mountain gorilla group to ever be visited by tourists (36 mountain gorillas in one place).

Divisions began in July 2010 when Mishaya broke away with ten (10) members forming his Mishaya mountain gorilla family.

Just two years later another silverback called Bweza left with some group members too form his own family.

The family is now left with 26 members who can be visited during a Mountain Gorilla trekking Safari in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector.

Oruzogo Mountain Gorilla Family

On 20^th June 2011, the Oruzogo mountain gorilla family was opened up to tourists’ visits making it the newest of all Bwindi’s habituated mountain gorilla families.

The group currenty has 23 family members under the leadership of Tibirikwata the alpha silverback. The females have surely been doing their duty in this family, seen in the births of cute mountain gorilla babies by Musi and Ntamurungi in 2011; and Kakoba’s twins in March 2012.

Tourists to this family will enjoy seeing the lively juveniles who are smart enough to pose for the camera.

Rushegura Mountain Gorilla Family

This is a sister family to the Habinyanja mountain gorilla family and can also be found in the Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The family is led by an alpha silverback called Mwirima who is late in his 20’s and is the brother to the former dominant silverback of the Habinyanja mountain gorilla family called Rwansigazi.

The group is named after a place where the two brothers split to form their independent families. This is one of Bwindi’s most friendly mountain gorillas led by a calm and peaceful leader who greatly defines it.

The family is calm and very welcoming to visitors. Mwirima will only demonstrate the might in his arms if he feels that the safety of his family is threatened.

• Buhoma community Tours

The Buhoma community tours are organized by the Mukono Development Association and they last between three (3) to four (4) hours exposing tourists to the local way of life of the people of Buhoma village.

Tourists will be wowed at the ability of a native doctor to cure illnesses using local herbs. Tourists can also see how the local brew is made from bananas; how crafts are made from local raw materials and can also see how the local people make their clothes.

The rewarding thing about this tour is that in many of the activities that tourists participate in for example making local brew, they are free to taste the results of the entire process.

Another highlight to look out for is the energetic Kiga dance and beautiful African folk songs performed by members of the community.

• Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Foundation (NCCDF).

There is a lot to do while in the Nkuringo village. Tourists can watch how local waragi is distilled in Sicilia’s home.

They can also see and feel the artistic works of African porters like the cooking pots, charcoal stoves, grinding stones and the waragi distilling apparatuses.

The tour can also continue to Pena’s home where you can experience the incredible traditional healing of African native doctors (sometimes called African chemistry) using locally sourced herbs from which she makes ointments, herbal powder and tea.

Tourists can also make visits to Nicolas the Blacksmith where they can watch the artistic sculpturing of locally used tools like knives and machetes.

And being next to Uganda’s boarder with DR Congo, tourists can enjoy magnificent views of the Virunga volcanoes.

• Nkuringo Cultural Centre (NCC)

This site is greatly edifying. Tourists can learn a great deal about the Kiga people of southwestern Uganda ranging from how they cook, weave pieces of art like baskets and mats, and cultivate the fields.

More interesting is their music. You can either watch from a distance or join in and learn a few strokes to carry with you home. The Kiga people are very energetic people and this is portrayed in the way they dance and sing.

• Buniga Forest Nature Walk.

The forest is a fountain of life both in fauna and flora species. Paths have been designed through the forest to enable the successful operation of guided nature walks.

While in the forest, tourists can enjoy breaths of fresh air and can be rejuvenated by the gorgeous sightings of unique flora species.

The forest is being managed as an eco-tourism destination under the control of Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Foundation (NCCDF)

Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda Gorilla tracking Safari

Gorilla Trekking/Tracking in Bwindi;

The best months of the year to track the gorillas would be December to late February and from June to September during the dry season.

The gorillas will definitely be there for the other parts of the year but because of the occurrence of the rainy season, tourists might be inconvenienced.

For those who intend to visit the park during the wet season, it is recommended that you pack solid shoes, preferably jungle boots; a reasonably strong walking stick; jacket and an umbrella because of the unpredictable showers of rain throughout the day.

Also during the dry sunny season tourists should be well equipped with clothing and lotions which protect them from the sun, including sun glasses, caps or hats and smear protective gels.

Tourists should also consider travelling and using an insect repellant to keep the flies and bugs off their skin while enjoying the Gorilla Safari.

Also advisable is to carry some ear plugs just in case you become uncomfortable with the sounds of the jungle.

Tourists with communicable sicknesses will not be allowed to embark on the gorilla safari because gorillas are extremely vulnerable to many human diseases.

Gorilla tracking can be carried along any of the four trailheads of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.

In Uganda, gorilla permits go for a normal USD 600 for foreign non-residents, USD 500 for foreign residents and 250,000 Uganda Shillings (UGX) for residents of the East African Community.

Depending on the number of people, the cheapest (budget) Gorilla tracking safari can cost about $ 1000 while the super luxury should cost between $ 1500 and $ 2000 per person.

The activity commences at 8am with a short briefing about what to expect after which tourists head out to their respective trailheads.

Chances of finding the mountain gorilla family are at 95% but this can last from one to eight hours depending on how lucky the group is.

Bird and Butterfly Species;

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a pivot for birding not only on Ugandan standards but also in the whole of Africa, and she is therefore the perfect place to carry out birding safaris to Uganda.

The afro-montane lowland forest provides different types of habitats for hundreds of bird species. Among the 350 bird species which Bwindi boasts of, 23 are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley areas and 14 other species cannot be found anywhere else in Uganda.

Birders can expect to see species like the Handsome Francolin; Western Green Tinkerbird; Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis; Black-billed Turaco; Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters; Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds; Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls; Many-colored Bush-Shrike, Black-faced Rufous Warblers; the cream-banded swallowtail; the Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls; and the globally threatened species such as African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, among others.

Gorilla treks along the Buhoma trailhead will expose you to the Short-tailed Warbler, and in the Ruhija region, tourists get the opportunity to see a great number of birds during the three-hour trail descending to Mubwindi swamp including the endemic and localized African Green Broadbill.

Bwindi also accommodates about 200 butterfly species and among these, 42 are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley region.

Vegetation Species in Bwindi;

The park’s area is dominated by vegetation species in a number of forms, heights and widths.

There are a number of species that can be seen which survived the 6,000 years of the ice age while in other places their sister plant species did not survive the disastrous age.

Bwindi is thick in its many shades of green making it rightfully deserve the title Impenetrable. The park has more than 100 species of ferns and over 220 tree species which accounts for 50% of all Uganda’s tree species including its threatened black mahogany.

Accommodations Safari Hotels, Safari Lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda Gorilla tracking Safari

Safari Lodges in Buhoma sector

Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Buhoma Community Rest Camp is majorly a midrange accommodation center but it also offers affordable lodging for travelers on a budget.

Lodging is offered in six (6) self-contained safari tents, three (3) self-contained cottages and two (2) non-self-contained twin cottages.

The accommodation centers are built in African architectural style and they dissolve in the gorgeousness of the park.

Many of the materials in the cottages feature African local materials which are a clear indication that you are away from your routine place.

The Rest Camp also has a 6-bed dormitory and several campsites at budget rates. Amenities featured include an expansive and safe parking area, mosquito nets, reading materials, transportation to and from the lodge on request, charging spots for gadgets and a crafts shop. Cigarettes and post cards can be bought at the Rest Camp.

Rates in US$ per room per occupant, per night.

Too set up your own tent in the camping area you are only requires to pay 12 US$ per night.

Meals are available at the lodge and tourists can also request for packed lunch on days when they will be engaging in mountain gorilla tracking.

Breakfast 10 US$

Hot Lunch 10 US$

Packed Lunch 10 US$

Dinner 13 US$

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Its unique location and attractiveness has attracted to it a number of visitors including both tourists and mountain gorillas.

This is the luxury accommodation in Bwindi’s Buhoma sector. Housing is offered in eight (8) tents each with a private and wide terrace from which tourists can have magnificent views of the park’s ecosystem.

The rest camp offers a great range of amenities but one of its most interesting amenities are the Sedan chairs which are used to carry guests with reduced mobility through the forests to also experience the gorilla tracking experience.

While at the lodge, tourists can interact with the local community including the Batwa pygmies or they can make trips to the Bwindi Community Hospital which is a philanthropy project.

The rates are full board but exclude premium drinks, gorilla permits, transfers to and from the airport and medical insurance.

Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp

This accommodation center is situated at a point where tourists can enjoy amazing views of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The lodge offers comfort at the midrange level without compromising the environment.

Its architecture involves traditionally sourced materials. The accommodation center has twenty (20) self-contained tents which offer great comfort to their guests.

All tents feature comfortable beds, solar energy that is available for all hours of the day, en-suite washrooms with hot and cold showers and elegant furniture. The tents are named after bird species in Bwindi.

Buhoma Lodge

This lodge can be found inside the park with ten (10) relaxed cottages that have private verandahs from which guests can enjoy vistas of the park especially the Buhoma sector which is home to the Mubare, Rushegura and Habinyanja mountain gorilla families.

Guests will find facilities like a comfy bed, en-suite bathroom facilities which feature hot and cold showers and a bath tub for some rooms.

In addition to comfortable lodging, tourists can enjoy delicious meals in the onsite restaurant and drinks can also be served from the well-stocked bar.

There ample room for tourists to walk around, stretch their legs or to just sit and meditate on how beautiful a place Bwindi is.

Rates in US$ per night for every adult (2015).

• The rates are subject change depending on the seasons (high and low seasons)
• Children below 5 years do not have to pay. However, children between 5 and 12 years pay 50% of what adults pay per night.
• Children above the age of twelve (12) are considered to be adults.
• The lodge offers discounts especially to East African citizens and travel agents.

CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp

This camp is run by an organization which has a history of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) seen in numerous projects throughout the community including sloughing back 100% of the profits received.

Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) was one of the very first accommodations in Bwindi although it had another name and different owners than they do today.

The camp offers budget accommodation in their three (3) and the camping ground which necessitates tourists to come along with their own tents.

The rates in US dollars

Silverback Lodge

The lodge is a mere five (5) minutes from the park’s briefing area. It has twelve (12) comfortable rooms which include a single room, four (4) double rooms and seven (7) twin rooms.

The rooms offer amazing views of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park due to their location at a high altitude.

The lodge is designed to offer comfort and luxury in line with the Marasa Africa standards. The lodge is profoundly large and offers enough room for guests to relax and get the best out of their holidays. Meals and drinks are available in the onsite restaurant and bar respectively.

Rates in US$ per person per night

Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge

This lodge has many years of experience and they surely know what they are doing. The lodge’s eight (8) bandas including three (3) doubles and five (5) twins which offer comfort deep in the African jungle.

Rooms are well serviced with luxury accommodation necessities like huge beds, walk-in mosquito nets, en-suite bathroom facilities and a wide verandah where tourists can relax and enjoy glorious views of the beautiful Bwindi.

Keen observers will be able to sight some of the primate species swinging from tree to tree within the park.

The main lodge building has a fireplace around which tourists can meet to warm up and to also exchange stories about their experiences. All eight bandas are named after Bwindi’s mountain gorillas.

• The rates are inclusive of full board meals and access to limitless consumption of alcoholic and soft drinks, a right to engage in any activity around the lodge, laundry services and one free massage session.
• Children between 2 and 12 years only pay 50% of what adults pay while children below 2 years can share rooms with their parents or guardians at no charge.
• The low season rates only apply from 15^th October to 15^th December and 1^st March to 31^st

Engagi lodge

Most of the things at this lodge reflect local African styles.

The lodge was built with the help of local engineers and using locally sourced materials making its outer appearance not to look dissimilar from the community in which it is found.

The base was built using eucalyptus roofed with dry banana fibers. Hidden behind the vegetation, the lodge has eight (8) cottages which offer en-suite services and facilities like the modern restrooms which have both cold and hot water and solar electricity.

Fine dining is offered at the lodge in its expansive restaurant and drinks from the well-stocked bar; which are a part of the main lodge building.

The meals are three (3) course and travelers with special cases (like vegetarians and others who have food allergies) will be catered for.

Gorilla Resort

This resort offers secretive but very luxurious accommodation to tourists in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi. Accommodation is offered in cottages and East African Safari tents which are all built on elevated wooden platforms to provide awesome vistas of Bwindi.

The resort’s rooms are large and have very comfortable beds which were made of logs. The rooms also have en-suite bathroom facilities including which have hot and cold showers and also include immersion bath tubs which are claw-foot brass bath tubs. Meals and drinks are available at the lodge and are offered in the restaurant and bar.

Standard rates per night per person

Single Room 375 US$

Double Rom 275 US$

Mahogany springs camp

You might mistake this accommodation center to be paradise once you arrive there. Lodging is offered in two major forms of accommodation, the superior suites and the presidential suite.

The superior suites can be twins, doubles or twins with a terrace from which guests can stand and enjoy views of the park or catch a breath of fresh air.

The presidential suites can be single, double or quadruple. Comfort is their specialty and this is projected to be the same even in the future.

Mahogany Springs camp has adorable gardens which relax the mind especially after a month of stressful work’s days and tourists can also hike along the stream which has finely fitted footstones.

All the rooms have comfortable beds with a dressing table and modern washrooms. The staff members at Mahogany Springs Camp are very hospitable and knowledgeable about excellent service delivery.

Rates in US$

The lodge maintains Full Board rates at all times although sometimes he rates may be increased depending on a number of conditions principally seasons.

As part of the full board service, tourists can also enjoy tea in the afternoon and in each room there is bottled drinking water and a glass of cask wine or local beer.

Bwindi Guest House

The guesthouse is adjacent to the Buhoma Community hospital and offers accommodation in its two houses; the monkey and gorilla houses.

At the main guesthouse tourists can enjoy facilities like the kitchen and a fine dining area, awesome views of the park including sightings of the red tailed monkeys; a well-stocked library and reading area.

The guesthouse also has an outdoor summer house which offers comfort. All the rooms have hot and cold showers and have sockets from which tourists can charge their gadgets. Wi-Fi is also available for all interested guests.

Bwindi View Bandas

This is a budget lodging center is situated in Kitahurira just a few minutes from the entrance to the Buhoma and Ruhija Mountain Gorilla trailheads therefore facilitating quicker trekking of the Habinyanja and Oruzogo Mountain Gorilla Families.

Guests are accommodated in three (3) simple bandas named Sparrow, Robin and Eagle each containing four (4) beds and smaller bandas, Kiwi & Warbler have two (2) beds each.

The resort also has camping area where travelers can erect tents for the night. Cold water is available for a bath but guests can request for heated water from the resort’s management. There is ample parking space at the lodge and your vehicles will be protected at all times.

Rates in Uganda Shillings

Eco Marvels Gorilla Resort

Eco Marvels offers comfortable lodging to tourists on Mountain Gorilla tracking Safari in Uganda.

Accommodation is offered in bandas. The rooms range from doubles, deluxe singles to family bandas featuring comfortable beds and rewarding views of the National Park. Meals are served at the lodge’s restaurant.

Rates for accommodation in US$ per night.

How To Get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda Gorilla tracking Safari

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13Days Uganda Classic Wildlife Safari, as its name suggests offers you an opportunity to explore the African game in its wilderness. Starting with the virgin wilderness. View Itinerary

Uganda Gorilla Safaris

Enjoy the world`s surprising Gorilla trekking Uganda African safari destination offering Uganda Gorilla tours / Uganda gorilla safaris – Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Park Uganda.Read More about Uganda Gorilla Safari Tours

3Days Uganda Gorilla Tour to Mgahinga is a Short Uganda Gorilla Tour Trip-Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour to track Gorillas in the Virunga Region-Mt. Mgahinga Gorilla Park.View Itinerary

3Days Bwindi Gorilla Safari in Uganda is a Short Uganda Gorilla Safari-Uganda Gorilla Tour taking you trek gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP. View Itinerary

4Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Bwindi & Wildlife Tour Lake Mburo National Park, takes you Gorilla trekking in Uganda as well as to a Uganda wildlife tour in Lake Mburo park. View Itinerary

6Days Uganda Gorilla Safari & Wildlife Safari in Uganda, is an amazing Uganda Gorilla Tour to Bwindi Forest. Our 6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari commences. View Itinerary

7Days Uganda Gorilla Safari tour Bwindi, Uganda gorilla safari tour taking you gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest. View Itinerary

10Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Holiday & Wildlife Safari in Uganda, A Uganda Gorilla Safari Holiday Tour/Uganda Safari including Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Wildlife tours in Uganda`s Major Game Parks. View Itinerary

12Days Gorilla Safari Uganda & Wildlife Safari tour in Uganda, is a long Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park featuring Wildlife Tour to Uganda wildlife safari parks.View Itinerary

16Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees, Wildlife, Culture and Scenic Safari. This is a Long Uganda Safari Tour taking you in all Uganda`s wildlife Safari game parks. View Itinerary

21Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Tour, Chimpanzee trekking & Wildlife tour is a life time Uganda Safari Africa adventure that is suitable for travelers with long holidays & want to explore as much as they can. View Itinerary

Short Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours

1Day Gorilla Tracking Safari in Rwanda -1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Tour Volcanoes Park is an amazing gorilla excursion that you cannot have anywhere else in the region. View Itinerary

2 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda, is a 2 Days Gorilla trekking safari tour in Rwanda & one of the best short gorilla safaris that you can undertake.View Itinerary

3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda,The 3 Days Short Rwanda Gorilla safari tour starts and ends in Kigali /Kigali Airport but includes Gisozi genocide. View itinerary

4 Days Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking Safari–Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour in Volcanoes NP enables one double track mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. View Itinerary

Long Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tours | Long Gorilla trekking Safaris in Rwanda

6 Days Primate Safari in Rwanda – 6 days short Rwanda gorilla safari tour is designed to enable you go Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and have a detailed encounter with the primates of Rwanda.View Itinerary

7 Days Rwanda Gorilla Chimpanzee Birds Safari is a Rwanda Gorilla tracking Safari, Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking Tour & Rwanda Birding Trip. View Itinerary

10 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari tour Adventure, is a Long Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari tour, and a highlight Rwanda Gorilla Safari, Chimp trekking & a Rwanda wildlife tour. View Itinerary

11 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Safari in Rwanda is one of the comprehensive safaris that can be taken in the destination Rwanda. The safari features a perfect blend of wild game, primates including gorillas and chimpanzees and then Culture. View Itinerary

Rwanda Wildlife Safari Tours | Wildlife Safaris in Rwanda

3 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari to Akagera National Park. is a perfect short wildlife encounter in the rolling savannah plains of the eastern Rwanda where Akagera National Park is situated overlooking the Tanzanian Plains. View Itinerary

3 Days Rwanda Chimpanzee Safari to Nyungwe Forest National Park, is a thrilling encounter in the pre-historic forest of Nyungwe where counts of habituated Chimpanzees are found.… View Itinerary

5 Days Wildlife and Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda takes you to the wild game viewing haven of Akagera National Park and the chimpanzee trekking destination of Nyungwe Forest National Park. . View Itinerary

9 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari is one of those extended safaris in Rwanda that do not feature gorilla trekking. Starting and ending in Kigali, the safari takes you to Akagera National Park which is the only savannah park…View Itinerary

Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas live up to 40 or 50 years with some even ageing beyond 50 years. They live in dense tropical rain forests which aptly offer them a habitat and access to daily vegetarian meals.

Pregnancy in mountain gorillas can last an average eight months and a half and females can give birth to an average four (4) to six (6) infants throughout their lifetime  with the ability to also give birth to twins.

Like the father in a home, very mountain gorilla family is headed by n alpha silverback.

The criterion on which different mountain gorillas base to choose their alpha silverback changes from one group to another.

All silverback have shiny hairs on their backs (from which they get their name) but it is more than just having a shiny back to be chosen as the head of the family.

The alpha silverback is responsible for finding food for his family; attracting productive members to his family and also defending his family from any forms of attacks whether by humans or other wild animals especially other mountain gorilla groups.

These tasks come with privileges like enjoying the first bite of every meal and love and respect from most of the females in the family.

The total number of mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is unclear but we are sure of twelve (12) habituated families; and eleven (11) of these can be visited by tourists on Gorilla trekking Safaris in Uganda.

The habituated families are different from the wild gorilla families because they are more used to humans.

In order for them to get acquainted with human visits, the group goes through an average habituation period of two (2) years which is carried out by expert Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officials.

The twelve (12) mountain gorilla families are distributed among 4 (four) sectors each with a trailhead where these habituated mountain gorilla groups can be found. Below is summary of their latest locations.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda Gorilla tracking Safari

Although Bwindi sits on a complicated set of geology, she allows a number of rivers and streams to quench the land of its thirst, including many rivers which originate from the park and flow northwards.

Some of the streams and rivers include Ishasha, Munyaga, , the Ntengyere rivers, and Ihihizo, which flow into Lake Edward.

The surplus of streams empty their waters in the Lake Mutanda and Bunyonyi depressions.

The park is also one of Uganda’s most diverse congregations of mammalian species amounting to an incredible 120 species, a number that competes favorably with even the country’s top tourist destinations by arrival.

This diversity does not guarantee that tourists will be able to lay eye all the mammalian species in one singe visit, so a short prayer before embarking on a hike through the forest might position you fortunately to view the sporadically seen African golden cat, forest elephants, 11 primate species including our closest brother the chimps, and the giant forest hogs.

For birders, the park’s area is an ideal playing ground. Twisting and turning your binoculars to the left, and then to the right should enable you to see as many of the 360 species of birds available in the different ecosystems in this UNESCO World Heritage Site with only one of the Albertine Rift 24 endemic lacking.

Other birds to look out for include the Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds, and endangered species, such as the African green broadbill..

The park also serves its guest to an accounted 220 species of butterfly of which 42 are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley region.

Tourists on a Gorilla Trekking Safaris and Tour may hike past or see with the aid of a guide a number of amphibians including the park’s camouflaged chameleons and a few of the identified 27 frogs species therein.

Saving the best for the last is not a new deed, but is most of the time deliberately done to plainly “Save the Best for Last.”

It no longer calls for a further inquiry when one proudly talks about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park being a home to almost half the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas, a fine number of 400 of the total 880 Mountain Gorillas.

The remaining number is distributed among the three National Parks of Virunga, Volcanoes and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Congo DR, Rwanda and Uganda respectively, which form the continuous queue of 8 volcanoes, particularly referred to as Virunga Conservation Area.

This is perhaps the chief reason why tourists ought not to look elsewhere but to Uganda for a prime Gorilla Trekking Safari.

Unfortunately, even with their might and greatness in size and weight, most of the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas has been wiped off of the face of the earth leaving a few endangered.

It is due to motives of protecting such a matchless species that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was gazetted in 1991 and later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1994.

Before attaining these titles, in the previous century Bwindi has held titles like the Impenetrable Central Crown Forest in 1942; an Animal Sanctuary and Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve in 1964, in the course of which it was expanding in size to its current size.

As is a common African practice, the name Bwindi did not just fall from heaven but has a history that dates a number of years back.

History has it that as migrants to the north from Rwanda, Burundi, and Zaire (the then Congo DR) trekked in search for land to cultivate and settle in, they crossed sections of the jungle on foot.

A tale has it that along the journey, one family came across a wide-stretching swamp which they were unable to traverse.

Observing their helplessness, the spirits of the swamp offered assistance but at an expense. The spirits sought the sacrifice of their daughter Nnyinamukari.

This was not going to be an easy bargain for the family so they chose to spend a few days as they pondered on what the spirits had asked for.

After 2 (two) days, a decision was reached to sacrifice Nnyinamukari and the spirits accorded the remaining members of the family a successful gateway through the swamp.

This unfortunate news circulated through the land creating a uncomfortable fear for the forest a reason why it was described as “The Dark Place of Nyinamukari” which in the local semantics is “Umubwindi bwa Nnyianmukari”.

While on a Gorilla Safari in Uganda, tourists can see the still-existing Umubwindi swamp, and can also get a more detailed account of this fascinatingly sad story.

Though a sad story, fortunately today, after many years, we have the resource-rich Bwindi Impenetrable Forest that tells an endearing story.

Related Pages

• Bird and Butterfly Species in Bwindi
• Gorilla Trekking/Tracking in Bwindi
• The Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi
• Community Tours in Bwindi
• Cultural Encounters
• Other Mammalian Species
• Safari Lodges in Buhoma sector
• Vegetation Species in Bwindi

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