Stories from Bwindi
Visual stories from one of Africa's most extraordinary places. The gorillas, the forest, and the people.
Bwindi is more than a national park. It is a living landscape where mountain gorillas share ancient forest with hundreds of other species, where communities have lived alongside the wilderness for generations, and where every trail tells a story. These photo galleries offer a window into that world, captured across seasons and sectors.
More stories are on the way. We are collecting first-hand accounts from guides, researchers, community members, and visitors to build a richer picture of life in and around Bwindi.
Gorilla Encounters
Moments with mountain gorilla families in their forest home. Silverbacks, mothers with infants, and juveniles at play.
Silverback in the thicket, gazing into ancient eyes
Gorillas
Silverback resting in Bwindi rainforest
Mountain Gorilla (Silverback)
Gorilla covering its face with its hand
Mountain Gorilla
Silverback sitting majestically in Bwindi rainforest
Mountain Gorilla (Silverback)
Young mountain gorilla on the forest floor in Bwindi
Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla in the thickets of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Mountain Gorilla
Silverback resting in the dense greenery of Bwindi
Mountain Gorilla (Silverback)
Silverback resting in the thickets of Bwindi forest
Mountain Gorilla (Silverback)Community Life
The people who live around Bwindi: daily routines, traditions, markets, and the interplay of culture and conservation.
Buhoma: green valley with houses on the hillside
Buhoma: a village between mountains and hope
Buhoma: community gathers in the shadow of the mountain
Visitor watching children play in Buhoma
Community on a bench gazing at the Ugandan landscape
Meeting in the forest: three people in conversation
First conversation in Buhoma
Sandy path in Buhoma, two people on the path
Walking together through Buhoma
Photographer documenting daily life in Buhoma
On-site teamwork in Buhoma
Meeting at the construction site in Buhoma
Buhoma and Surroundings
The original gorilla tourism hub and the villages, trails, and landscapes that surround it.
Buhoma: green valley with houses on the hillside
Green valley near Buhoma
Through the jungle, path to Buhoma orphanage
Sandy path in Buhoma, two people on the path
Girls dancing in front of the orphanage in Buhoma
Boy laughing on a dirt path among banana trees in Buhoma
Buhoma: a village between mountains and hope
Buhoma: community gathers in the shadow of the mountain
Children at Buhoma orphanage celebrating a special moment
Photographer documenting daily life in Buhoma
Boy in Buhoma chipping stones with a small hammer
First conversation in Buhoma
The National Park
Deep forest, misty ridges, waterfalls, and the extraordinary biodiversity of Bwindi Impenetrable.
Dense jungle at the start of the gorilla trekking trail
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi: the path through the rainforest
Through Bwindi forest on the trail of gorillas
Ranger in Bwindi forest on the way to the gorillas
Preparing for the adventure: gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Mountain Gorilla Peering Through Dense Forest Foliage
Mountain GorillaYoung mountain gorilla on the forest floor in Bwindi
Mountain GorillaSilverback sitting majestically in Bwindi rainforest
Mountain Gorilla (Silverback)
Gorilla in the canopy of Bwindi primeval forest
Mountain Gorilla
Mountain gorilla in Bwindi rainforest, a quiet gaze
Mountain Gorilla
Mountain gorilla gazing down in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Mountain GorillaSilverback resting in Bwindi rainforest
Mountain Gorilla (Silverback)Landscapes
The rolling hills, terraced fields, and dramatic topography of southwestern Uganda.
Green valley near Buhoma
Morning light over the hills of Buhoma
Banana plantation in front of Uganda's green mountains
Banana plantation near the orphanage in Buhoma
Sipi Falls at Mount Elgon, the power of water
Sipi Falls, waterfall at Mount Elgon in Uganda
Sipi Falls through the jungle
Two people at Sipi Falls, Mount Elgon
Food and Cooking
Local cuisine, cooking methods, and the flavours of the Bwindi region.
Baking mandazi at the orphanage in Buhoma
Cooking together at the orphanage in Buhoma
Peeling bananas together at Buhoma orphanage
Cooking together: sharing and preparing food
Children sharing a meal on the veranda
Breakfast at Gorilla Bluff Lodge, a quiet morning
Fresh pineapples by the roadside in Murchison Falls Park
Garden of hope at the orphanage in Buhoma
Markets and Commerce
Bustling local markets, roadside stalls, and the economic life of communities around the park.
Three men at their carpentry workshop in Buhoma
Woodworking workshop in Buhoma
Carpenter in Buhoma
Face-to-face conversation in Buhoma
Carpenter in Buhoma, craftsmanship by hand
Craftsmanship in Buhoma: carpenters showing their work
Red motorcycle in front of yellow house in Buhoma
Woodworking workshop in Buhoma
Roads and Transport
The journey to Bwindi: red-earth roads, boda-bodas, matatus, and the infrastructure connecting remote communities.
Open safari door: into the Ugandan wilderness
Toyota Land Cruiser Safari Vehicle Parked in Ugandan Lot
Off-road tyres in the shadow of a safari bus
HopeBus on a sandy road in Uganda
Two helpers on a dusty path through Uganda's green hills
Woman on a dirt path through green Ugandan highlands
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport, Gateway to Uganda
Petrol station in Buhoma
Share Your Story
Have you visited Bwindi? We are building a collection of visitor stories, guide perspectives, and community voices. If you have a story or photographs to share, we would love to hear from you.