Uganda reports gorilla census findings for Bwindi on 1 October

Uganda reported preliminary gorilla census findings for Bwindi National Park on 1 October 2026, linking the protected forest near Kabale to an ongoing assessment of mountain gorillas. The announcement said the population was growing, while final results were still being prepared.

Preliminary gorilla census findings reach Bwindi on 1 October

Joward Baluku, a principal wildlife officer at Uganda's Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, told Xinhua on 1 October that a recently completed census showed an increase in the mountain gorilla population. The research team was still analysing samples, so the report described the result as preliminary rather than a final count.

The 1 October census report placed the finding within wider conservation work involving communities near gorilla habitats. It also said that the earlier 2015 Virunga census and 2018 Bwindi census had produced a combined global figure of 1,063 mountain gorillas, a historical comparison rather than the new result.

How the census relates to Bwindi's protected forest

Bwindi National Park forms part of the mountain gorilla habitat discussed in the census report. The protected area lies in south-western Uganda at the junction of plain and mountain forests, making the new research relevant to a site where forest protection, monitoring and tourism are closely connected.

UNESCO's site description records the park as covering 32,092 hectares and as a World Heritage property. Its habitats range from 1,160 to 2,706 metres, and UNESCO identifies more than 160 tree species, more than 100 fern species and several endangered species, including the mountain gorilla.

The connection between the 1 October announcement and the landscape is practical as well as scientific: the census measures animals whose habitat depends on the integrity of this forest. The same UNESCO description identifies Uganda Wildlife Authority as the park's management authority and notes that community benefits from ecotourism support conservation.

Community involvement remains part of the conservation picture

The Xinhua report linked the preliminary increase to measures that involve communities living near gorilla habitats and share tourism revenue from gorilla trekking. It also recorded continuing risks from human disease transmission, insecurity and climate change, so the finding did not remove the need for protection.

For visitors, this means the current news concerns monitoring and conservation rather than a new attraction or a change to the park's visitor arrangements. Final census results were not given in the 1 October report.

Visiting Bwindi National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The current conservation peg is the preliminary gorilla census finding announced on 1 October 2026 for the Bwindi habitat.
• The announcement does not state a closure, new entrance rule or special opening, and it does not replace the park's existing conservation arrangements.
• The park is in south-western Uganda near the Kabale region, in a forest landscape managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
• The terrain spans 1,160 to 2,706 metres and includes plain, lowland and mountain forest habitats.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Bwindi National Park

When were the gorilla census findings announced?

Preliminary findings were reported on 1 October 2026 by a Ugandan wildlife official. The final results were still being prepared.

What is Bwindi National Park?

It is a protected forest in south-western Uganda and a World Heritage property covering 32,092 hectares. UNESCO identifies it as habitat for mountain gorillas and many other species.

Where is Bwindi National Park and how do you get there?

The park is in south-western Uganda near the Kabale region. The available announcement identifies the protected forest but does not specify a particular transport route or entrance for the census news.