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A Day in the Life of Rangers in Bwindi Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the most important conservation areas in Africa. This ancient rainforest in southwest Uganda is home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas – an endangered species once numbering fewer than 300. Today, thanks to sustained conservation efforts, that number has grown to over 1,000.
We’re rangers based in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where today we led eight tourists -the maximum allowed – on a trek to visit the Rushegura gorilla family, which includes 17 individuals and two silverbacks.
We set out just after sunrise and spent about two and a half hours trekking through the misty forest, up and down steep trails. Along the way, we checked for signs of illegal activity. Sadly, we still find traps and snares – set for small animals but dangerous to gorillas. We dismantle every one we find.
We finally located the group and spent the permitted one hour quietly observing them. One of our favourites is Kabukojo, the dominant silverback – calm, powerful, and always watching over the others. Moments like that make the hard work worth it.
After the trek, some of us headed to the Kahurire ranger outpost, in the Nkuringo sector of the forest, to spend the night. This ranger accommodation was recently built by The Gorilla Organization, and it’s made a real difference for those of us working in the southern part of the park.
The facility has eight units with full amenities – a rare luxury in the forest. It’s strategically located to monitor the Nkuringo gorilla group, which sometimes strays into nearby community crop fields. This station allows us to respond quickly and prevent potential conflicts, keeping both gorillas and farmers safe.
The outpost also helps us monitor the park boundary and sanitation in nearby tea plantations— important in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases between people and gorillas.
As night falls, we settle in, reflecting on the day’s work. Being a ranger isn’t easy—it’s physically demanding and sometimes dangerous—but it’s deeply rewarding. Every gorilla sighting, every safe day, and every satisfied visitor brings us one step closer to a future where mountain gorillas continue to thrive.
On behalf of all the rangers in Bwindi, thank you for your support.
Make a difference – help today!
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