Bwindi National Park

The national park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black-and-white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail, is prominent.

The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda, with 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemics present.

SIZE:
331 sq km

LOCATION:
Southwest. The closes large town is Kabale.

GETTING THERE:
Bwindi can be reached from QENP in the north (2-3 hours), from Kabale to the south (1-2 hours), or from Kampala via Mbarara (6-8 hours). The roads meet at Butogota, 17km from the Buhoma entrance gate. 4x4 recommended during the rains.

WHAT TO DO:
Gorilla tracking is the main attraction; permits must pre-booked at the UWA office in Kampala. Other guided forest walks are available: one popular trail leads to a pretty waterfall, others focus on birding and monkey-viewing.

WHEN TO VISIT:
Any time, though conditions are more challenging during the rainy season.

WHERE TO STAY:
Two up-market tented camps, a lodge, community-run budget rooms and camping are available near the Buhoma entrance gate.