Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s principal gorilla trekking destination and one of the most frequently visited national parks. Due to its uniqueness, diverse nature, and seemingly impenetrable forest, Bwindi presents itself as a perfect destination for intrepid travelers, adventure enthusiasts, nature-lovers, leisure travelers, and researchers, among others. It is basically a place for everyone.
Bwindi is synonymous with mountain gorillas, and any trip to the park without a gorilla trek is incomplete. Mountain gorillas are a significant attraction in Bwindi National Park, which is home to nearly 500 individuals, almost half of the world’s total.
Interestingly, most of these gorillas are habituated for trekking activities on a daily basis. Bwindi is home to 15 habituated gorilla families distributed within the four trekking regions.
With over 15 gorilla groups, Bwindi boasts the highest number of habituated gorillas among national parks. The four almost pristine gorilla regions include Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Rushaga in the southeast, and Nkuringo in the extreme south of the park.
Location of Bwindi National Park:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo to one side and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to the other. It lies at the tip of the Albertine Rift, which runs from northern to southern Africa.
Due to its location, Bwindi is composed of misty hills covered by lush impenetrable forests that shelter one of the world’s most endangered primates. By road, Bwindi is 510 km away from Kampala and only 220 km from Kigali city.
Accessing Bwindi National Park by Air:
Bwindi National Park is well-served by numerous airstrips located close to particular gorilla regions. Airstrips serving Bwindi National Park include:
- Kihihi Airstrip: Located in Kanungu district, north of Bwindi, close to Buhoma park headquarters. It takes only a 1-hour drive to reach Buhoma and 2 hours to reach Ruhija sector. Kihihi operates daily flights from Kampala, Entebbe, Pakuba, and Mweya, making it easy to connect from many destinations. Flights to Kihihi Airstrip from Entebbe/Kampala take only 45 minutes, 30 minutes from Mweya, and 45 minutes from Pakuba.
- Kisoro/Nyakabande Airstrip: Located on the outskirts of Kisoro town. It connects travelers easily to the southern sectors of Bwindi, namely Rushaga and Nkuringo. It is also a primary connecting hub for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Kayonza Airstrip: Close to Buhoma sector in northern Bwindi. It is a major gateway to Buhoma gorilla trekking region and handles mostly private charter flights.
Getting to Bwindi National Park by Road:
Besides air transport, Bwindi can be easily accessed by road from either Kigali or Kampala cities. The roads are well-tarmacked, except for feeder roads that connect from the main highways to park headquarters, which are also under construction.
The Kigali to Bwindi route offers the easiest access to Bwindi National Park, with a drive taking between 4-5 hours to reach any region in the park. The route from Kampala, on the other hand, is longer, taking up to 9 hours’ drive but rewards travelers with unmatched scenic views of Uganda’s undulating hills and sprawling vegetation.
