​Getting There – Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Uganda.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Uganda.

There are four different hubs for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These are Buhoma in the northwest, Ruhija in the east, and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the southwest. The four hubs are several hours apart by road.

If Bwindi is visited as part of a Ugandan tour, the oldest and most popular gorilla trekking hub of Buhoma can be reached from the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in 2 to 3 hours* and from other sectors in 4 to 6 hours*. It is 5 to 7 hours* by road from Lake Mburo National Park to the various trailheads. If coming straight from Entebbe or Kampala, the trip by road will take at least 10 hours*. During the rainy seasons (March to May and September to November), travel by 4WD vehicle is necessary for some trailheads.

Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is where most visitors enter the country. It is 46km/29mi from the capital city of Kampala. It is possible to fly by domestic carrier from Entebbe or Kampala’s Kajjansi Airfield to the towns of Kihihi or Kisoro, near Bwindi. Some visitors prefer to fly to the Rwandan capital Kigali, which is far closer to Bwindi than Entebbe is, and then drive from there.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

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Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Entebbe International Airport (EBB), and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Flights

Most domestic flights between parks are arranged by tour operators and are included in your tour package. Bwindi can be reached by scheduled or chartered flight. Kihihi is the closest airport to the Buhoma and Ruhija trekking hubs, and Kisoro is closest to the southerly hubs of Rushaga and Nkuringo. Both airports are about 40km/25mi from the park and the drive from either takes at least 1½ hours.

Only one domestic carrier currently offers scheduled flights to Kihihi and Kisoro:

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Please check our Getting There – Uganda page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements.

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