Aerial view of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Park Map

The four sectors, trails, gates, and key features of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers 321 square kilometres of dense montane rainforest in southwestern Uganda. The park is divided into four sectors, each with its own character, gorilla families, trails, and access gates. The schematic map below shows the relative positions of the sectors and major features.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Sector MapBwindi Impenetrable National Park321 km² | UNESCO World Heritage SiteMunyaga RiverKashasha RiverIvi RiverBuhoma GateBUHOMANorthwest | 1,450 mMubare | Habinyanja | RusheguraWaterfall TrailRuhija GateRUHIJAEast | 2,300 mBitukura | Oruzogo | MukizaITFC Research StationMubwindi SwampRushaga GateRUSHAGASouth | 1,800 mNshongi | Mishaya | Kahungye | Busingye | BwezaNkuringo GateNKURINGOSouthwest | 1,800 mNkuringo | Christmas | Posho | BushahoDRC BorderN~10 kmLegendGateTrailRiverSector

Schematic representation. Not to exact scale. Positions indicate approximate relative locations of sectors and features.

Sector Details

Buhoma

Northwest

The original gorilla tourism sector, established in 1993. Buhoma is the most accessible sector and the hub for park administration. The Mubare group, habituated first, remains one of the most visited.

Altitude:
1,450 m
Gate:
Buhoma Gate
Gorilla groups:
Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura
Key trails:
Munyaga River Trail, Waterfall Trail, Rushura Hill Trail

Ruhija

East

The highest-altitude sector, known for exceptional birding including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. ITFC research station is located here. The terrain is steep with bamboo zones and montane forest.

Altitude:
2,300 m
Gate:
Ruhija Gate
Gorilla groups:
Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mukiza
Key trails:
Mubwindi Swamp Trail, Bamboo Zone Trail

Rushaga

South

The sector with the most habituated gorilla groups, offering the greatest variety of trekking experiences. The terrain is diverse, ranging from bamboo forest to dense tropical undergrowth.

Altitude:
1,800 m
Gate:
Rushaga Gate
Gorilla groups:
Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye, Bweza
Key trails:
Nshongi Trail, Isunga Trail

Nkuringo

Southwest

A dramatic hillside sector with panoramic views across the Rift Valley toward the Virunga volcanoes. The Nkuringo group was habituated in 2004 and is known for its large silverback.

Altitude:
1,800 m
Gate:
Nkuringo Gate
Gorilla groups:
Nkuringo, Christmas, Posho, Bushaho
Key trails:
Nkuringo Hill Trail, Kashasha River Trail

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