Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Tracking Day at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The day started very early at our campsite on the border of Bwindi Forest. Around 4am we were guided towards one of these Toyota people carriers, Hiace. Not very comfortable, but heey, it was only going to last for 1 hour or so. The reason we needed transportation is that the Gorillaclan we were tracking (something you don't decide yourself, you get assigned to a group of Gorilla's) were on the North-Western side of the Forest (close to the Entrance Gate) and we were lodged on the South-Western side. The name of the clan we were about to meet was Nkuringo.

Now, the forest is only about 10K wide and the quickest way around was clearly through DRC, this being far too dangerous and the forest being "impenetrable" (a 6 hour hike), we had no other option then to go all the way round in what later became known as the "torture Toyota". All the way around a park which is an estimated 20K wide, couldn't take much longer than 1, maybe 2 hours. So after 3 hours of incredibly windy and headbashing dirt gravel roads on a seat that made your bum sleep, we started asking where we were going. The answers were served in true african style: "we a almos the", "just a littel bit furder"... Anyway, it took more than another hour to get there! So after this we were convinced that we had to rewarded with something incredible, something that would far exceed all expectations.

At the entrance we were briefed and asked to put our trousers in our socks to avoid termites and to use mosquito repellant. The whole entrance area has guarded by military men. We set off with a few trackers / guides and carriers into the impenetrable rain forest. It was absolutely astonishing to enter a microcosm full of birds, flowers and trees. We saw other monkeys high up in the trees and listened to several very special birds. The news came that Nkoringo, our Gorilla hosts for the day, had been seen not very far from where we were (I assume the eye that saw this, circles somewhere around the earth). Soon enough the guides halted the group and we were let very close to them to take some pictures. Family Nkoringo did not pay much attention to us as they were feeding. Circling around the big family feedfest, we found an older Silverback on the border of a small creek resting after his lunch, together with a baby gorilla that clearly was in playmode, amazing spectacle. Anyhow, as tourists can't stay longer than 1 hour we had to make a move, and seemingly the gorillas were doing the same. Most of them had left the feeding site and were waiting on the path we came from, when a few older boys and a Silverback that had stayed behind join up with the group! Whis particular scene can be seen in the video. The guides said we were very lucky to catch this.

Fully Recommended, including the car-ride!

Nick

Exciting but not very challenging

There was a lot of build up to my visit which made me expect if would be very difficult for me to do. Because of this I was very excited and looking forward to a challenging maybe dangerous experience. In truth my experience involved walking along the road into the bush about 50 metres and there were these tame looking gorillas. We were back at the resort within the hour. Others in our travel group trekked for 3-5hours and had a very exciting experience. I felt duped and very ripped off by the Ugandans who managed the gorilla trekking.
We had paid the obligatory $500 to help with the preservation of the gorillas habitat plus paid for local guides who would help carry our lunch pack and required water bottles, 1litre each, or our cameras over difficult terrain, and we had waited for people to go and get heavy duty footwear on, listened to all the instructions about how to manage the trek and so the anticipation was great. The guides carried guns which all suited the drama I expected. All for a 10min walk 30min photo session and 10mins back. Very disappointed....but we did see the gorillas and got great photos.

a great pleasure, one of the best animal experience

we were very lucky, the weather was good. The way to the gorillas was exhausting (especially for my wife) but we reach the gorillas after one and a half hour. We were lucky to see the whole family (silverback with babies) in a meadow, so we had enough light for photos (if you like I can send you more photos) . After an hour we go back in an very happy mood.

Hard work but worth the effort (you have not seen everything until you have seen Gorillas)

Bwindi Impenetrable forrest is not the easiest plave to get too but that is part of the adventure. Accomodation can be from very basic to 4 star if you want it to be.

Trecking to find gorillas is hard work (they are mountain Gorillas after all) but you are pretty much certain to find them and it is a very special time.
The Park guides are excellent trackers and you are looked after very well (if offered a porter then take one carrying all you stuff is harder then you imagine).
We went mid year and the weather was fine although the jungle is damp most of the time.
The scenery is stunning although travelling around is an adventure of its own wil only mud roads to use.
Some great bird watching opportunities with some really good guides.
Would I do it again Yes in a heartbeat, worth all the effort.

I you like mountains and Gorillas - it's a must see (but to expensive)

Silverbacks, the Golden Experience

The 'must see' life experience is the 1 single hour you can spent in the wild with our so close related gorilla's.
As the venture is starting with a good hike to the last known where-abouts of the family, it takes you trough beautifull scenery.
However, as seen every where, Uganda hasn;t been forgotten by us humans in the major destruction of nature.
The clear cutting line of trees and farmland, shows so clearly the pressure of humans on the wildlife. Other scenery is infected with Eucalyptus trees, growing, but with no purpose at all, as it originate from Australia with a specific adapted wildlife.
Back in the nature, and in Bwindi, you will have a perfect picture about how almost whole africa must have looked like over a century ago. Marvelous! and so impressive. With some ''luck'' you will have to find the gorilla's here, deep in the jungle. with some less restraining hike, they are just across the farmland and showing their gentle nature close by. Gentle nature..... perhaps with my video you might think differently, but it is all show off! The guides visit the gorilla's every day, for over many years, before they may host the guest from all over the world.
The relative high price to pay for the 1 hour visit is worth every dime! and some is used to protect the species and land for future generations.
See, learn and respect the Best!

Hope you will have a wonderfull trip.
Fillip ter Haar
the Netherlands.

Our guides were able to locate the gorilla family relatively quickly and the forest was lovely. I would have liked to learn more about the animals and area from them while we traveled though.

The forest is so dense that it is difficult to see a lot of animals, however, seeing and spending time with the gorillas makes this experience invaluable! Absolutely amazing!

Great mountain environment. Had to walkthrough village and farms before reaching the park. Only saw the gorilla there and was a bit underwhelming.

It was a wonderful experience Uganda's famous national park and I appreciate all their services.

It was a wonderful experience visiting Uganda's famous bwindi impenetrable forest, national park great adventures Uganda enabled me to have my 1st gorilla habituation experience. Where I got an interaction with this sweet endangered animals, I appreciate all their services and wonderful gorillas habituation experience.