Getting There / Bwindi

Boston July 1, 2022Tips and Tricks

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, approximately 478 kilometers from the capital city of Kampala. The journey by road typically takes 7 to 8 hours, depending on traffic, weather conditions, and the sector of the park you are visiting. Most of the route from Kampala is on a well-paved highway, offering a comfortable drive through Uganda’s beautiful countryside. However, the final stretch leading into the park is usually a dirt murram road, which winds through rolling hills and rural villages before reaching the dense rainforest.

Many travelers combine their gorilla trekking adventure with a wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. From there, Bwindi can be accessed by driving through the famous Ishasha sector, well known for its tree-climbing lions. This scenic route takes approximately 3 to 4 hours and offers a wonderful opportunity to experience Uganda’s diverse landscapes and wildlife before arriving at the forest.

Public transport is also available for budget travelers. Daily buses operate from Kampala to the towns of Kabale, Kisoro, and Rukungiri via Kihihi. Once you arrive in these towns, it is easy to connect to Bwindi by hiring a local taxi, arranging a transfer with your lodge, or being picked up by a tour guide. These towns serve as the main gateways to the park’s different trekking sectors such as Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

For visitors who prefer a quicker and more convenient journey, Bwindi can also be accessed by air. Domestic flights operate from Entebbe International Airport to nearby airstrips close to the park. Flights usually land at Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip, which are both within driving distance of the park’s trekking sectors. The most common airline serving these routes is Aerolink Uganda, a domestic operator that runs scheduled flights to Bwindi-region airstrips. Flights to Kisoro typically depart in the morning, while flights to Kihihi may operate at different times depending on the schedule.

From the airstrips, visitors are transferred by vehicle to their lodges or trekking starting points inside the park. The flight itself offers spectacular aerial views of Uganda’s lakes, hills, and forests, making the journey part of the adventure.

Travelers planning to trek in the Buhoma sector may also arrange charter flights that land at Kayonza Airstrip, which is the closest airstrip to Buhoma. Charter flights are ideal for travelers on tight schedules or those seeking a more exclusive travel experience.

Daily buses operate from Kampala to Kabale, Kisoro as well as Rukungiri via Kihihi. From those towns, you can easily connect to Bwindi or arrange with a local guide to pick you up. The park can also be accessed by air, flying from Entebbe airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip on a domestic flight. Aero link is a domestic operator with daily flights to Kisoro (only in the morning) and Kihihi airstrips of Bwindi. Below are the flight schedules and times;

Flight times to Bwindi

Those who may want to visit Buhoma may take on the charter planes and land off from Kayonza airstrip.