Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

  • Destinations
  • Uganda
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
OVERVIEW ITINERARY IDEAS ACCOMMODATION WHEN TO GO? WHERE NEXT

WHEN TO GO?

BEST TIME FOR GORILLA TREKKING IN BWINDI

An equatorial location gives Bwindi Forest a predictably damp and humid climate but its relatively high altitude makes it cooler than you may think – it’s best noted that a gorilla trek can be a cold and wet experience.

Nevertheless, the year has two distinct dry seasons which are without doubt when to go to Bwindi for gorilla trekking if you want the most comfortable and rewarding experience. The first dry season is from mid-December to early February and the second from early June to late September. These periods offer the easiest conditions for hiking in the rainforest and generally the best gorilla sightings as well as a reduced malaria risk.

The best time to visit Bwindi also coincides nicely with some of the best times to experience other parts of Uganda. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest is easier during the dry seasons while game viewing in Uganda’s safari destinations – Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks – is most rewarding during the dry seasons as large concentrations of animals such as elephants and buffalo build up at water sources.

Further afield, some advance planning could see you enjoying Africa’s top travel experiences. Bwindi’s December to February trekking season coincides with Cape Town under sunny summer skies as well as the Serengeti wildebeest migration at one of its most dramatic moments – the predator-filled birthing season.

Bwindi’s June to September trekking season is a great time to be in the Masai Mara – the wildebeest migration is now moving across crocodile-filled rivers – while Southern African safari destinations are their best for safaris. The weather in the Kruger Park, Botswana, Victoria Falls and Namibia is mild and dry, the malaria risk at its lowest, and game viewing is at its best.

Use our handy guide below on when to go to Bwindi or simply contact us and tell us when you’d like
to go and we’ll be happy to have that conversation.

DEC/ JAN/ FEB
Dry season – great for gorilla trekking & combines well with Serengeti
MAR/ APR/ MAY
Heavy rain, especially April & May; increased malaria risk
JUN/ JUL/ AUG/ SEPT
Dry season - great for gorilla trekking as well as safaris across Africa
OCT/ NOV
Shorter rainy season; wettest in November
Bwindi Forest is home to Uganda’s best gorilla trekking & it combines with big game safaris & chimpanzee trekking too. GET IN TOUCH NOW

TOP EXPERIENCES

1. GO GORILLA TREKKING

Enjoy an unforgettable hour with these gentle giants as they go about their daily life in the rainforest; it’s one of the world’s most unique wildlife experiences & your gorilla trek contributes to their continued survival.

2. LOOK FOR OTHER PRIMATES

Walk Bwindi’s jungle trails with a sharp-eyed local guide & you’ll see other primates such as black- and-white colobus & red-tailed monkeys – perhaps even the rare golden monkey, at home in Bwindi’s thick bamboo forests.

3. VISIT THE COMMUNITY

Join your guide on an informative tour to a Bwindi community to meet with local Ugandans & learn about & perhaps contribute to a grassroots economic project or conservation programme.

4. HIKE & BIKE

Several Bwindi lodges have hiking & mountain bike trails for you to explore with a guide – a great way to feel the pulse of the local environment as well as your own!

5. GO BIRDWATCHING

Bwindi’s bird list of around 350 species includes many regional endemics which makes it a very rewarding bird watching destination, especially if combined with Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls National Parks.

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Gwen (AU)
Professional, quick and top of the edge service!!!

From the very first contact we’re very happy about the respond time and quality of information from safari-online.com. Based on the received first tailor-made quote, which is a weblink with all the details about the flights, photos of the lodges etc. we knew that this is “our” partner for this trip. Our expectations were excelled!!!

Lukas (Germany)
It was a safari of a lifetime and exceeded all of our expectations!

Our mom grew up in Central and South Africa so we had visited the continent many times. My sister and I wanted to take our teens and husbands to Africa to experience the magic. We had a limited budget but big and specific expectations and by some miracle Walter was able to manage both.

Heather (USA)
Walter has always been an excellent communicator and has supported us fully

We have been to Africa for 24 of the last 27 years so know a bit about what is involved. Walter has arranged the details for the last couple of years, and has done a superb job. He is always quick to respond and comes up with answers immediately……..no evasive tactics, always head-on!

Roger (UK)
Professional, patient, efficient and responsive. Met all our travel needs and requirements spot on

Communication was excellent – I asked A LOT of questions and did a ton of research myself and Walter was extremely patient with me and very responsive. he was straight forward and extremely professional. Tour itself was excellent – an incredible experience and one never to be forgotten. Everything was spot on.

Neena
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Excellent service and they supplied good suggestions for our holiday they also organised all internal flights and arranged check in for us so we had no worries while on holiday. We have had a most memorable holiday staying at wonderful places thanks to Sabrina and Safari Online. Would recommend Safari Online to organise your holiday.

Lorraine (UK)
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Safari Online have been nothing but professional and incredible from the time we made our first enquiry to the last day of our stunning holiday. Nothing was too much trouble for Walter. We are now starting to plan our next family Safari for 2019. Guess who we will be booking with??? Safari Online we hope you are ready!!!!!

Penni (AU)
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Ann and Mario (Canada)
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Would highly recommend. Safari online asked questions when booking and were efficient and knew exactly what we were looking for in terms of accommodation and animals were wanted to see. Gave advice on a few little extras with no pressure, which we did and am very grateful which make trip even more exciting. Would definitely recommend booking with them.

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Our experience with Safari Online was excellent. After becoming very frustrated trying to search for a safari destination on our own, we turned to Karina for help and she was a lifesaver.  We had an amazing safari adventure at the lodge–the experience of a lifetime–and are so grateful for her help. We literally couldn’t have done it without her!

Chris (USA)