Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Though by no means one-dimensional,  the main attraction of Bwindi is unmistakably its mountain gorilla population. Finding these gorillas can be an arduous task. After scouts locate them in the morning, trekkers must hike through gullies and vine-laden hills for up to 4 hours. Currently, up to 8 tourists can visit one of the 25 family groups per day.

This 127 mi² national park is located in southwestern Uganda. In the midst of the enormous hardwood trees, giant ferns, tangled undergrowth and hanging vines lies an impressive array of primates and other mammals. Along with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees (the only park in East Africa to have them and gorillas), black-and-white colobus monkey, red colobus monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, blue monkey, elephant, giant forest hog and duiker also reside here. In addition, the park is home to 345 bird species, including the great blue turaco, yellow-eyed balck flycatcher, Luhder’s bushshrike, vanga flycatcher, black-faced rufous-warbler, black-throated apalis, and green broadbill. This breathtaking biological diversity is made possible by the size and altitudinal range of Bwindi’s forests. The park's forest support more species of trees, ferns, birds and butterflies than any other in East Africa.

The village of Buhoma bordering Bwindi has many craft shops and stalls. Furthermore, treks into the forest to visit a village the hunter-gather Batwa tribe.