Bwindi's forest is estimated to be over 25,000 years old, making it one of the oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests in Africa. It was originally gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932 and later upgraded to national park status in 1991, primarily to protect the critically endangered mountain gorilla. In 1994, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ecological significance and exceptional biodiversity.

Bwindi lies on the western edge of Uganda, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and close to the Virunga Volcanoes. It is a mountainous and rugged area, with altitudes ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 meters. The park’s terrain is characterized by steep hills, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and dense rainforest that lives up to its name—"impenetrable."

Despite the challenging topography, the forest is teeming with life. Bwindi supports a wide variety of habitats, from lowland forest to montane ecosystems, making it a sanctuary for hundreds of plant and animal species. Bwindi is internationally recognized for its population of mountain gorillas—more than 40% of the world’s remaining population live here. Several habituated gorilla families can be tracked by visitors, offering one of the most moving and intimate wildlife encounters anywhere on Earth.

In addition to gorillas, the park hosts over 120 mammal species, including forest elephants, bush pigs, duikers, and several primates such as black-and-white colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys. It is also a birder’s paradise, with over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics like the African green broadbill and the handsome francolin.

Gorilla Tracking is the main draw for visitors and involves a guided trek through dense forest to observe one of the habituated families. The experience is both physically demanding and emotionally rewarding. Bwindi is considered one of the top birding destinations in Africa, with rare species found nowhere else in Uganda.
Nature Walks and Forest Hikes lead to waterfalls, viewpoints, and cultural sites within the forest, offering a chance to explore the smaller details of Bwindi’s ecosystems.

The Batwa people, who once lived as forest dwellers, offer insight into their ancient hunter-gatherer traditions and spiritual relationship with the forest and visitors can engage with community-run initiatives like local tea processing, crafts workshops, and Bwindi Bar—a hospitality training project supporting local youth.