A magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, this ancient rainforest – one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age – is home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Bwindi National Park is situated in south western Uganda Kanungu district and driving to Bwindi from Kampala takes 9 / 10 hours drive.

Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer – but we should not let it distract from Bwindi’s broader biodiversity, a result of its immense antiquity and an altitude span from 1,160 to 2,607m.

Bwindi National Park has 120 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black-and-white Columbus, with its lovely flowing white tail, is prominent. Bwindi National Park is also an ideal place for bird watchers with over 350 difference species. The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda, with 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics present. Bwindi also boost of over 200 species of butterflies.