Location of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the regularly visited national parks in Uganda situated in the southwest of the nation. Rising 1,160 meters above sea level, the 321 square kilometre park is The park claims to have 120 species of animals, 348 bird species, 220 butterfly species, 27 kinds of frog plies chameleons, geckos, brown mahogany among other plant species. Furthermore, there are over 400 mountain gorillas known to be in the park as of the May 2018 census; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest alone is home to more than half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas worldwide. This forest supports black-and- white colobus monkeys, bush pigs, forest elephants, and so much more.
Birdwatchers find Bwindi to be a perfect spot. Mostly Albertine rift endemics species that are difficult or impossible to view in certain other parts of East Africa, its 348 bird species include 7 which are IUCN red data listed. In one day, a more seasoned bird observer can easily spot up to 100 species.
Still, gorilla tracking is the most popular activity in Bwindi. Four separate areas of Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhijja allow roughly 14 habituated gorilla groups inside the park to be monitored.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo runs flanked by Bwindi Impenetrable National Park right near to the Virunga mountains in the west. With a distance of 29 kilometers, Kabale town is the closest settlement to the southern park.
Depending on the travelers’ schedule and preferred method of transportation, Bwindi can be accessed by road or plane.
Flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Traveling to Bwindi by flight will be the preferable choice if long drives are not your style or if time is a major consideration on your vacation. From Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, via flight takes roughly one hour. Flying from Entebbe airport or from Kampala (Kajansi Airfield) either to Kisoro or Kihihi offers two choices. Three airfields service Bwindi: Nyakabande Airfield in Kisoro best serves those wishing to track gorillas in the southern sectors of Nkuringo, Nshongi, and Mishaya; Kayonza and Kihihi Airfields best fit visitors pursuing gorillas through the Northern Sectors. Since most people would rather avoid that long 8 hours or longer travel, prior planning is therefore necessary and booking of the tickets is in demand for the charter planes. While Kisoro most serves Nkuringo and Rushaga southern sectors, Kihihi is nearest to Ruhijja and Buhoma trailheads. There are baggage limits, too, whereby one is only allowed 15 kgs; any further kilos are expensive. Alternatively, you could leave your bags with your driver-guide ahead of you so she may pick you up upon land at the airfield.
Once at the airstriks, a driving guide from your reliable tour operator will be waiting to welcome you and transport you to your hotel. If you would want to enjoy a long drive back to Entebbe with breathtaking sights on the way or arrange a return flight,
Roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Road travel to the Location of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park allows one enough time to enjoy all the breathtaking scenery Uganda has. The travel from Kampala to Bwindi will last 8 to 9 hours. If one has enough time to spare, driving through Ishasha home to the tree-climbing lions south of the park connecting to the Buhoma sector in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is an additional advantage. But from Kampala, example, there are other paths one can follow.
Kabale-Kampala-Kungu-Buhoma
Travelers starting from Kampala drive all the way through Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kanungu, and then link to Bwindi in the Buhoma area. Travelers also enjoy breathtaking views of undulating hills and the always friendly receptive Ugandans, therefore this route—which spans 414kms—is the longest but most fun and rewarding one available. But after you get to Kanungu, you start a journey across Kanyantorogo that spans 120 kilometers to go to Buhoma. Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ideally in a 4WD vehicle.
Ruhijjah, Kampala-Kabale
Here, Kabale village in Eastern section of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park connects directly to Ruhijja. For the visitors, the drive from Kabale to Ruhijja is rather experienced since it passes through local fields and settlements.
Rukunjiri-Kihihi-Buhoma, Kampala-Ntungamo
This is Bwindi’s fastest path. Travelers drive up to Ntungamo from Kampala, branching off the highway connecting to a road to Rukunjiri and across Kihihi, thereby reaching a total distance of almost 390kms.
Nkuringo Kampala-Kabale
About 105kms from Kabale town, this road takes four hours to carry visitors across the rocky bumpy road to Nkuringo via other towns. Some decide to spend sleepovers in Kisoro town before starting their 80kms trip to Nkuringo.
This path takes three to four hours and spans roughly 95km2 on the marum road.A 4WD is the only vehicle fit for Ruhijja.
Drive 160kms from Mweya or 64km from Ishasha to the northern section of Bwindi if on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National park and have Bwindi on your agenda.
Those who wish to see Uganda differently can get to Bwindi via public transit. From Kampala, buses headed for Butogota passed Rukunjiri and Kihihi. After that, you may find a taxi to cover the last 17kms to Buhoma. It is advisable to hire a car from Kisoro since Nkuringo lacks public means of mobility going all the way.
Whether your motivation for the lengthy trip or additional money for a chartered flight is gorilla tracking, you can be sure you will reach and savor the experience whatever your method of transportation is chosen.
