Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park : Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of the most visited destinations in Africa harboring the endangered mountain gorillas. The national park is located in southwestern Uganda in Kanungu district along the border with Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Bwindi impenetrable national park was gazetted into a national park in 1991 and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 due to its ecological importance. The park is known for harboring the highest number of mountain gorillas which are found in four sectors namely Ruhija sector in the east, Nkuringo sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north and Rushaga sector in the south. Each of the sectors harbors a number of habituated gorilla families which can be visited on a daily basis. Bwindi impenetrable park offers a number of activities which visitors on a safari can engage in for example gorilla trekking which is the major activity carried out, bird watching, nature walks, Batwa trail experience among others.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park
When getting to Bwindi national park you can either use road or air transport means
Road transport, there are various road transport routes that you can use when going to bwindi impenetrable national park including
Route from Kampala via Kabale, Kanungu
When using this route, you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kanungu and then to one of the sectors in the park. The journey takes about 8 to 10 hours’ drive on a tarmac road. Though it’s a long journey it’s filled with great views of the landscapes, homesteads, plantations, local people, farmlands, Kigezi hills, beautiful scenery among others.
Route from Kampala via Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kihihi
Visitors using this route will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kihihi and then to Buhoma sector or any of the sectors which takes 8 to 10 hours’ drive.
Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed from Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest national park in Uganda. When travelling from Queen Elizabeth national park, you will pass via Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park where you will be able to view the tree climbing lions lying up in the fig, acacia tree branches. The jouney from Mweya in Queen Elizabeth national park to Buhoma sector in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes 3 to 4 hours with great views of the tree climbing lions, landscapes, bird species, animals among others.
You can also use public means of transport to Bwindi impenetrable park though not recommended therefore in case you want to use public means of transport, you will board a bus from Kampala bus station to Kabale and then hire a private taxi in case you want to trek gorillas in Ruhija sector, you can also board a bus from Kampala to Butogota and then hire a private taxi to the park headquarters in case you want to visit gorillas in Buhoma sector or you can board a bus from Kampala to Kisoro town and then hire a taxi to Rushaga or Nkuringo sector.
Air transport, there are domestic airlines in Uganda such as Aerolink Uganda limited which operate scheduled and charter flights daily from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip where you will connect by road to the park headquarters. The schedule flights from Entebbe airport depart from 7:00am, 10:15am, and 12:00 noon and arrive at Kihihi airstrip at 8:45am, 11:25am and 14:40pm respectively. There are also return scheduled flights from Kihihi airstrip which depart at 9:45am, 11:40am, and 14:45pm and arrive at Entebbe airport at 11:25am, 13:30pm and 16:15pm respectively. Air transport is the best means of transport for visitors who don’t like long distance journeys.
Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda, when using this route you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect by road to Bwindi impenetrable park through Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive with spectacular views of the rolling hills in Rwanda, landscapes, Kigezi hills, terraced farmlands among others.
When to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February. During this period there is less rainfall in the forest therefore access roads to the park and gorilla trekking trails in the jungle will be passable compared to the rainy season when the roads and trails are muddy and slippery.
Where to stay on your safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park
There are a number of accommodations in Bwindi impenetrable park where you can stay during your safari in Uganda and they range from luxury, midrange and budget. accommodations in the park include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Nshongi Forest Camp, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Lake Kitandara Camp, Bwindi Bandas, Engagi Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Bwindi Guest House, Gorilla Friends Lodge, Eco Marvels Resort, Jungle View Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Cuckooland Tented Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Bakiga Lodge among others.
Achieve Global Safaris has a fleet of 4WD safari vans which can transport you to and from Bwindi impenetrable national park at an affordable price. in case you want to book a safari or need more information about getting to Bwindi impenetrable national park you can contact our tour consultants or visit our website.
