The Bwindi Massacre – Tragic Attack in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The Bwindi Massacre was a tragic terror attack that took place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Rwandan rebels attacked foreign tourists during a gorilla trekking expedition.

According to Anne Peltier, a survivor of the massacre and France’s deputy ambassador to Uganda at the time, the rebels targeted Americans and British citizens because they believed these countries did not support the ethnic Hutu majority.

The rebels left notes on some of the bodies saying, “Americans and British, we don’t want you on our land. You support our enemy.” This showed the motive behind their cruel actions.

The attackers, dressed in rags, began their assault by raiding campsites. They killed four Ugandan game staff, including a game warden and three park rangers. During the same week, soldiers later killed four of the rebels in a pursuit through the forest.

The rebels destroyed property and carried out terrible acts against tourists. Some were killed with machetes, axes, and knives, while others were assaulted before being murdered. About 12 people were kidnapped, including six Britons, one Australian, one Swiss woman, three New Zealanders, and one Canadian woman. Reports also mentioned three other missing tourists whose whereabouts were never confirmed.

Some victims were killed because they could not walk fast enough. The rebels also played tricks on their captives. For example, they allowed one American woman who pretended to have an asthma attack to go free at first, and another who said she had forgotten her glasses. But later they showed no mercy and killed them.

Among the victims were Rob Hanbner, 48, and his wife Miller, 42, a couple from Hillsboro, Oregon, who had been linked to the famous film “Gorillas in the Mist.”

A few survivors managed to escape. They found a working two-way radio and contacted the US embassy in Kampala, after which they were airlifted to safety.

The Bwindi Massacre was a very sad event that took many innocent lives and caused great loss. It remains a reminder of the need for peaceful ways of solving conflicts.

If you'd like to personalize your tour by adding extra days or destinations, please reach out to us through our main contact page using the button below.