Getting to Bwindi from Kampala/Entebbe/Kisoro/Kibale/Kigali.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a magical place in Uganda, tucked at the edge of the south-western part of the country. It is home to the critically endangered species of the mountain gorillas, hosting half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas. They live freely in the dense forest without being captured. There are several ways of getting to Bwindi, depending on the guest’s preference, including transfers by road and by flight. These can be booked directly or through a domestic ground handler to the destination.

How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by road, from Entebbe International Airport, it takes approximately +/- 9 hours’ drive through the Kampala Mbarara highway, through the rolling hills, valleys, and small towns, enroute guests have the chance to stop over at the Kayabwe Equator line to witness the line that divides the world into 2 half, take a few pictures for memories, have a coffee break and proceed. From Mbarara city, depending on the sector you will be visiting, you will be transferred to the sector respectively. Bwindi is made up of 4 sectors, including Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga. It is important to check the gorilla permits purchased to ensure the ground transfer to the correct place of tracking.

Bwindi can be accessed by road from Kigali; it takes approximately 6 hours to drive from Kigali International Airport through 2 borders, either the Kabale-Katuna border or the Cyanika border. The countryside is very beautiful to experience, passing through green landscapes.

Connecting to Bwindi from other conservation areas, for example, Kibale, takes approximately +/-6 hours by road through the southern corridor of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park to the conservation area. Thisroute offers the chance to see more wildlife species like elephants of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Jackals, hyenas, and tree-climbing lions on a lucky day.

Traveling to Bwindi by road requires a 4*4 car, including safari land cruisers, vans, and super customs. These are the most suitable types of cars recommended due to the nature of the roads; the terrain gets tougher, especially in the wet season in March, April, May, November, and October.

Flying to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the fastest way of getting to the National Park. Domestic flight companies operate scheduled and charter flights into the Kisoro Airstrip, connecting guests to the southern part of the park and north Bwindi in Kihihi. Flights last for 1-2 hours depending on the routing andthen transferred to the respective accommodation facilities. Flights can be arranged through a domestic ground handler or directly with the airline. When flying from Entebbe, we recommend a night stay depending on your arrival time to check in, relax, and travel early morning the next day.

What to do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park includes Mountain gorilla trekking; this is the major activity of the region, hosting half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas. They live within the forest freely without being caged, feeding on plants, fruits,and dead tree bark. Besides gorilla tracking, Bwindi is known for the culture of the Batwa community, living in the surrounding areas. They used to live together with the primates and survive in the forest; however, due to conservation purposes, they were evicted and continued living in the communities. It is also great for bird encounters, including endemics of the Great Albertine rift valley region, for example, the African green broadbill.

In conclusion, traveling to Bwindi is straightforward; guests can choose to drive to the destination or fly depending on their budget for the safari.