Hightlight
- National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a world of shadows and light, where ancient ferns and giant hardwoods create a tangled, green fortress on the edge of the Rift Valley. The forest is famously shrouded in a thick morning mist that clings to the steep ridges, hiding nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas in its depths. Trekking here is a physical challenge, navigating slippery slopes and dense vines, but the effort is forgotten the moment you lock eyes with a silverback in the wild. The air is heavy with moisture and the sounds of over 350 bird species, creating an atmosphere of intense biological richness. It is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, a living relic of a forest that has thrived for over 25,000 years.
- Where it is: Southwestern Uganda, on the edge of the Albertine Rift.
- What you can expect to see: Mountain gorillas, over 350 bird species, and lush, tangled ancient vegetation.
- How much it is to get in: ~$800 USD for a gorilla trekking permit.
- What people say: Trekkers often remark that the hike is difficult but the first moment with the gorillas makes everything else vanish.
- Interesting fact: Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and survived the last ice age.
