National parkSouthwestern Uganda
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Three volcanoes, mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
National park · UNESCO World Heritage Site
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Ancient rainforest and almost half of the world's mountain gorillas.
- Southwestern Uganda
- Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb
- Entry from US$40
- World Heritage Site since 1994
Overview
- Area
- 321 km²
- Altitude
- 1,160 – 2,607 m
- Mountain gorillas
- About 459
- Bird species
- 350+
- Gorilla tracking since
- 1993
- Tracking sectors
- Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo
Bwindi covers 321 km² of steep ridges and valleys on the edge of the Albertine Rift. Its forest has survived for more than 25,000 years and holds around 400 plant species, which is why UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1994.
The park protects about 459 mountain gorillas, almost half of the world's population. Uganda opened gorilla tracking here in April 1993 with the Mubare family, and today habituated families are visited from four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Beyond the gorillas, Bwindi has about 120 mammal species, more than 350 birds including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, and over 200 butterflies. Bakiga and Batwa communities around Buhoma and Nkuringo offer village walks and forest trails.
- Mountain gorilla tracking
Small groups spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family. Treks take from one to several hours through steep, muddy forest.
- Albertine Rift birding
Ruhija and the Mubwindi Swamp trail are known for rare forest birds such as the African green broadbill.
- Batwa forest experience
Batwa guides share how their families lived in the forest before it became a national park.
Things to do
- Gorilla trackingFrom US$800
Daily from each sector after a morning briefing.
- Gorilla habituation experienceFrom US$1,500
Up to four hours with a family that is still being habituated.
- Birding and nature walksFrom US$40
Guided forest trails.
- Buhoma to Nkuringo walkFrom US$60
A full-day guided hike across the forest.
- Batwa experienceFrom US$40
Cultural walk with Batwa guides.
Prices are the foreign non-resident rate per person. Resident and East African rates are lower; see the full table below.
Wildlife and nature to look for
When to go
Tracking runs all year. Trails are driest from June to September and December to February; March to May and November are wettest and cheapest.
- Jan: Best
- Feb: Best
- Mar: Good
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Good
- Nov: Wetter
- Dec: Best
Fees and permits
Official rates from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA Conservation Tariff, July 2024 – June 2026). Children, vehicle and accommodation rates are in the full tariff.
| Item | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult)per person, valid 24 hoursChildren 5–15: US$20 / US$10 / US$5 / UGX 5,000. Under 5s enter free. | US$40 | US$30 | US$25 | UGX 20,000 |
| Gorilla tracking permitper person, one hour with a gorilla familyIncludes the guide and that day's park entry. Low-season rate in April, May and November: US$600 foreign non-resident, US$500 foreign resident. | US$800 | US$700 | US$500 | UGX 300,000 |
| Gorilla habituation experienceper personFrom 1 January 2027: US$1,800 / US$1,600 / US$1,000 / UGX 750,000. | US$1,500 | US$1,000 | US$1,000 | UGX 750,000 |
| Birding and nature walksper person | US$40 | US$30 | — | UGX 30,000 |
| Buhoma – Nkuringo long walkper personFrom 1 January 2027: US$100 / US$50 / US$50 / UGX 50,000. | US$60 | US$50 | — | UGX 50,000 |
| Batwa forest experienceper person, entry not included | US$40 | US$40 | — | UGX 40,000 |
- Park entry (adult)per person, valid 24 hours
- Foreign non-resident
- US$40
- Foreign resident
- US$30
- Rest of Africa
- US$25
- East African citizen
- UGX 20,000
Children 5–15: US$20 / US$10 / US$5 / UGX 5,000. Under 5s enter free.
- Gorilla tracking permitper person, one hour with a gorilla family
- Foreign non-resident
- US$800
- Foreign resident
- US$700
- Rest of Africa
- US$500
- East African citizen
- UGX 300,000
Includes the guide and that day's park entry. Low-season rate in April, May and November: US$600 foreign non-resident, US$500 foreign resident.
- Gorilla habituation experienceper person
- Foreign non-resident
- US$1,500
- Foreign resident
- US$1,000
- Rest of Africa
- US$1,000
- East African citizen
- UGX 750,000
From 1 January 2027: US$1,800 / US$1,600 / US$1,000 / UGX 750,000.
- Birding and nature walksper person
- Foreign non-resident
- US$40
- Foreign resident
- US$30
- East African citizen
- UGX 30,000
- Buhoma – Nkuringo long walkper person
- Foreign non-resident
- US$60
- Foreign resident
- US$50
- East African citizen
- UGX 50,000
From 1 January 2027: US$100 / US$50 / US$50 / UGX 50,000.
- Batwa forest experienceper person, entry not included
- Foreign non-resident
- US$40
- Foreign resident
- US$40
- East African citizen
- UGX 40,000
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits for foreign non-residents and Rest-of-Africa visitors are booked through licensed tour operators.
- Since 1 March 2026 permits are confirmed only on full payment; the 7-day unpaid reservation was suspended.
Getting there
- By roadFrom Kampala8–10 hours
About 470 km via Rukungiri and Kihihi to Buhoma. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for the final murram roads.
- By airFrom EntebbeAbout 1 hour 10 minutes
Daily scheduled flights to Kihihi (for Buhoma) and Kisoro (for Rushaga and Nkuringo), then a road transfer.
- By roadFrom Queen Elizabeth NP (Ishasha)About 2–3 hours
About 64 km from Ishasha to Buhoma, often combined with the tree-climbing lions.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- Minimum age for gorilla tracking is 15 years.
- Each gorilla family takes at most eight visitors a day, for one hour.
- Do not track if you have a cold or other infectious illness; gorillas catch human diseases.
- Keep 10 m from the gorillas, and do not eat, drink, smoke or use flash near them.
- Book the permit for the sector where your lodge is; tracking in a different sector carries a 50% penalty.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a gorilla permit in Bwindi?
US$800 for foreign non-residents, US$700 for foreign residents, US$500 for Rest-of-Africa visitors and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. In April, May and November foreign visitors pay US$600 and residents US$500.
Which Bwindi sector should I choose?
Buhoma, in the north, has the most lodges and is easiest from Queen Elizabeth NP. Rushaga and Nkuringo, in the south, are closer to Kisoro and Lake Bunyonyi. Ruhija, in the east, is popular with birders.
How fit do I need to be?
Treks can last from one to several hours on steep, slippery slopes at altitude. Porters can be hired at the trailhead, and walking sticks are provided.
Can I book a permit myself?
Under UWA's tariff, foreign non-residents and Rest-of-Africa visitors book gorilla permits through licensed tour operators. East African citizens and residents can book with UWA's reservations office.
Sources
Checked on 23 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
- Uganda Wildlife Authority park page
- UWA Conservation Tariff 2024–2026
- UWA tariff changes, 26 February 2026
Combine your trip
Places to pair with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
National park
Lake
National park