When to Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Uganda Gorilla Safaris.

Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. It is a habitat to over 120 mammals, primates that include chimpanzees, 340 different bird species, 200 butterfly species, and half of the world’s endangered species. Bwindi National Park supports a variety of flora and fauna.

Bwindi National Park has over 1000 plant species, which include 150 tree species and 100 ferns. Over 324 tree species have been observed in Bwindi. Most visitors choose Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on their bucket list because it shelters half of the world’s most endangered species. It has several tourist attractions that include bush pigs, forest elephants, chimpanzees, birds, butterflies, nature walks, and cultural tours, among others. Bwindi National Park is a place that doesn’t leave out birders’ interests. It is a home to 23 Albertine species and various species that are not found in the world. It is also known for its amphibian species, of which 27 are Albertine species and six are for conservation interests. Visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a life-changing experience.

Bwindi’s climate

Bwindi Forest is an ancient forest with a diverse ecosystem with different flora and fauna. It is over 25,000 years old and inhabits 120 mammals, 400 mountain gorillas, 200 butterfly species, and primates, which include chimpanzees, monkeys, and others. The park sits on 321 square kilometers containing montane and lowland vegetation. Bwindi Forest is a tropical rainforest that experiences temperatures that range from 20 to 25°C and receives rainfall of about 2390mm yearly.

Due to the thick and lush vegetation, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also experiences dry seasons that range between June and September and from December to February. The peak seasons of the Bwindi National Park are the best for gorilla trekking safaris.

During the dry seasons, temperatures increase during the day and decrease during the night. However, in the wet season, the forest is mild and misty, especially in the months of March and May. Wet seasons are divided into short and long seasons, where in long seasons rains are heavy, making gorilla trekking challenging. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is done all year, but peak seasons are mostly preferred over the rainy seasons.

Best time to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park

Bwindi weather patterns do not change because they are characterized by misty days, clear skies, thick vegetation cover, cool temperatures, among others. The best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is during the dry season between the months of December and February and from June to September. These months in Bwindi are referred to as peak seasons for gorilla trekking. In this season, gorilla trekking permits are competitive and get sold out quickly. Tourists are advised to book their gorilla trekking permits early, 3 to 6 months in advance.

Some visitors prefer the rainy seasons of Bwindi National Park due to discount offers. The rainy season in Bwindi ranges from March, April, and May, and short rains are between October and November. In this season, gorilla trekking permits range from $600 to $450 per person. Gorilla permits are less competitive and are always available. Other visitors prefer the rainy season because accommodation facilities are also discounted, and some prefer challenging treks that require physical fitness.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park on a Uganda safari can be enjoyed during the peak seasons, and it is the best time to locate mountain gorillas because they come out of their shelters looking for food, and the forest tends to have less vegetation cover, giving a clear view of the skies and the mountain gorillas. The wet season is not preferable because it makes accessibility difficult since Bwindi National Park is located in the remote areas of Uganda. The rainy season makes trekking challenging because of the steep, muddy, slippery floors of the forest. In the dry season ground remains dry and not slippery, making the dry season the best for observing these endangered species.

Gorilla trekking in the wet seasons of Bwindi national park

The wet seasons are between the months of March and May and from October to November. During this month the vegetation cover of Bwindi is thick and dense, making the spotting of mountain gorillas challenging. The skies are less clear, and the forest has fog and mist, making it difficult to take clear pictures. This season is ideal for tourists who love less crowded places since the peak season and the permits are competitive. In this season, accommodation facilities discount their services, favoring budget-friendly clients. This season enables mountain gorillas to access food easily since they do not require moving from one place to another. But it’s hard to spot gorillas because they always seek shelter when rains are frequent, making it hard to observe some gorilla families.

Seasons of Bwindi impenetrable national park

January and February are the short dry seasons of Bwindi National Park. In these months, gorilla trekkers enjoy the view of spotting mountain gorillas.

March, April, and May are the wet seasons of Bwindi National Park. Here gorilla permits are discounted and accommodation facilities are available. Best months for tourists who prefer less crowded areas and challenging treks.

June, July, and August are the major dry months in Bwindi National Park. These months are the most competitive for gorilla trekking permits. Tourists are then advised to book their permits 6 months before the trekking dates.

September, October, and November relatively receive short rains. In these months, rain can be expected or may not occur.

In December the dry spell of Bwindi National Park resumes, making it one of the best Christmas packages for gorilla trekkers. It is an off-season, making tourists from various countries trek to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park.

Best time for bird watching in Bwindi national park

It is important for tourists to know the best months for viewing various bird species. Some birds can be spotted during the dry and rainy season. The best months for bird watching are May and June because food for birds is available, and other months to spot migratory birds are during the months of October to April.

Where can you stay after your trekking sessions

Bwindi National Park has four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. The sectors offer budget-friendly lodges, luxury lodges, and mid-range lodges.

Accommodation in the Buhoma sector includes Buhoma Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Silverback Lodge, among others.

In the Rushaga sector we have four gorilla lodges: Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, and others.

In the Nkuringo sector accommodation facilities include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, among others.

Accommodation in the Ruhija sector includes Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, and others.

In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is done all year round. But during the rainy season, trekking becomes more challenging compared to the dry season.