How to get to Bwindi impenetrable forest National park
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable forest National park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in southwestern Uganda renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, dense rainforest, and endangered mountain gorillas. Spanning an area of approximately 331 square kilometers, the park is home to about half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, making it a premier destination for gorilla trekking. In addition to gorilla encounters, visitors to Bwindi can explore its lush vegetation, diverse wildlife, and participate in activities such as birdwatching, nature walks, and cultural experiences with local communities.
To get to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwestern Uganda, you have several options:
By Road:
From Kampala: The most common route is to drive from Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. The journey takes approximately 8-10 hours, covering a distance of about 500 kilometers (310 miles).
Follow the Kampala-Mbarara highway southwest out of Kampala.
Pass through towns such as Masaka and Mbarara.
After Mbarara, continue on the road towards Kabale.
From Kabale, it’s about a 2-3 hour drive to the park.
Follow signs indicating the direction to the park entrance.
By Air:
The nearest airstrip to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is Kihihi Airstrip. Charter flights are available from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip through various airlines and tour operators.
Another option is to fly to Kisoro Airstrip, which is also relatively close to the park.
Once you arrive at the airstrip, you’ll need to arrange for ground transportation to reach the park entrance.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda has several entry points or gates that provide access to different sectors of the park.
These gates include:
Buhoma Gate:
Located in the northern part of the park.
Accessible via the Buhoma-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Road.
This gate provides entry to the Buhoma sector, which is one of the main areas for gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
Facilities such as park offices, ranger stations, and accommodations are available at Buhoma.
Ruhija Gate:
Situated in the eastern part of the park.
Accessible via the Ruhija-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Road.
This gate provides entry to the Ruhija sector, another important area for gorilla trekking.
Visitors coming from Kabale or Kisoro often use this gate to access the park.
Rushaga Gate:
Located in the southern part of the park.
Accessible via the Nteko-Rushaga Road.
This gate provides entry to the Rushaga sector, which is known for its gorilla families available for trekking.
It’s also possible to access the Nkuringo sector from Rushaga, where more gorilla families can be found.
Nkuringo Gate:
Found in the southwestern part of the park.
Accessible via the Nteko-Nkuringo Road.
This gate provides entry to the Nkuringo sector, another area for gorilla trekking.
It’s known for its challenging gorilla trekking experiences and stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
These gates serve as entry points to different sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, allowing visitors to access various gorilla families and explore different parts of the park. Depending on your gorilla trekking permit and itinerary, you’ll start your trek from one of these gates with the guidance of park rangers.