Closest Airport to See Mountain Gorillas

Closest Airport to See Mountain Gorillas

If you’re dreaming of an unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas, knowing the closest airport to see these magnificent creatures is essential for planning your trip. Nestled in the heart of East Africa, the majestic Virunga Mountains are home to these incredible primates, attracting nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe. Going on a Uganda gorilla safari is an unforgettable adventure! The excitement of encountering the magnificent Giant Apes in the lush, mountainous rainforests is unmatched. Uganda stands out as one of the few countries where you can seize the extraordinary chance to observe these endangered animals up close during our gorilla tours.

Imagine the heart-pounding excitement of tracking and finally meeting a family of mountain gorillas lazing in their home range, which isn’t occupied by more than one gorilla family except under unique circumstances- this is what a Uganda gorilla safari is all about!

Where to see mountain gorillas

Unlike other countries where mountain gorillas roam, Uganda is the only nation with more than one national park where you can spot them: the iconic Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The former is the larger option, with a higher number of these giant apes. Bwindi is home to almost half of the world’s population of these majestic giant apes, with families distributed across the four trekking sectors.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest National Park in Uganda with the World’s smallest population of mountain gorillas. Currently, only one gorilla family is habituated for tracking, despite over 40 mountain gorillas inhabiting the park. Just like Bwindi, Mgahinga gorillas are tracked by persons aged 15 years and above, and gorilla permits cost USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents. There’s a different price for foreign resident and East African community Citizens’ gorilla permits.

If you have decided to take the plunge and explore Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks on a gorilla safari, one of the important steps is deciding how you will get there. In this article, we discuss the remote location of these two incredible safari destinations and the closest airport to help visitors effortlessly see the Giant Apes.

The closest airports to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in the south-west of Uganda, taking up space in Kanungu, Kabale, and Kisoro districts. This 321-square-kilometer Protected Area is one of the four national parks where you can meet face to face with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The Park has over 480 mountain gorillas (according to the 2018 gorilla census), although their number is expected to have grown tremendously through the years.

There are two small airports (or airstrips) that serve Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Kihihi and Kisoro airstrip. As earlier mentioned, this Park is divided into four trekking regions/sectors (namely Buhoma sector in the North, Ruhija sector to the East, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors to the south. The choice of airstrip depends on which sector you plan on exploring, with Kihihi being used when visiting the Buhoma and Ruhija sectors, while Kisoro airstrip is used when visiting the Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors.

There are daily flights from Entebbe International Airport or small airports/airstrips that serve other National Parks (such as Kasese) to Kihihi and Kisoro airstrips. Generally, visitors are advised to fly to the country’s major airport (Entebbe) and then take shorter flights to one of the airports that serve Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Kihihi airport

Kihihi airport is the main gateway to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, also serving the nearby Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, hence making it possible for visitors to combine the two destinations. From this Airport, it is a short drive lasting two hours to Bwindi. If you are traveling with a Tour Company like Native Africa Tours, ground transportation will often be organized to allow a smooth connection to the National Park or accommodation with a customized 4X4 Safari vehicle. This is a convenient option for visitors looking to avoid the eight-to-nine-hour drive. Mainly operated by Aerolink, scheduled morning and afternoon flights are available all year round, while the mid-morning option isn’t available in the low season- March, April, May, and November.  

From Entebbe, Aerolink provides a one hour thirty-minute flight to Kihihi Airport, and the flight costs approximately USD 319 per person for a one-way flight and USD 530 per person for a return flight.

Kisoro airport

Located in Kisoro Town, southwestern Uganda, Kisoro airport also serves Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, especially the southern sectors of Nkuringo and Rushaga. This is another fantastic option for visitors who wish to avoid the nine-hour drive to southern Bwindi, and only morning scheduled flights are available. However, you can opt for a chartered flight too. Kisoro Airport is an hour’s drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Native Africa Tours provides ground transportation with a 4X4 safari vehicle to maneuver through the rugged terrains.

From Entebbe, the flight takes one hour and a half, and the flight costs approximately USD 390 per person for a one-way flight and USD 600 Per person for a return flight.

The closest airport to see mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is easily accessible by plane, with daily scheduled and charter flights available from Entebbe International Airport. This Airport is less than an hour’s drive to the National Park, and transportation can be provided by Native Africa Tours to allow easier connection to your destination/accommodation.

Just like Bwindi, flights to and from Kisoro Airport are operated using a small aircraft type (Cessna Grand Caravan). For this reason, strict baggage restrictions are in place, and passengers’ luggage on the aircraft is limited, with an allowance being applied. For instance, you can only carry 33 lbs. per person in a soft duffel-type bag (including camera equipment and hand luggage). Visitors are advised to always adhere to this strict limitation, but extra luggage can be carried at USD 5 for every extra kilogram.

When to go on a Uganda gorilla safari

Timing is key to making the most of your Uganda gorilla tour. The best time to visit Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park to see mountain gorillas depends on what you hope to achieve, hence we can say varies from individual to individual.

The Dry Seasons

Most travelers pick the dry season for a gorilla tour in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks due to the favorable conditions provided during this season. The dry season, December to February and June to September, is marked by reduced rain showers, which make forest trails accessible on foot (which is the only way mountain gorillas are tracked). The downside of this season is that it is also the peak season, which means permit and accommodation availability are a challenge. Also, most Lodges charge a high cost during the dry season.

The wet seasons

The wet season, between March and May, and October to November, features the rainiest periods of the year. Rain showers are usually short and heavy, especially in the afternoon, hence making forest trails muddy and more challenging to maneuver. Therefore, we recommend waterproof clothing, but rain has never stopped visitors from visiting the mountain gorillas. The advantages of visiting mountain gorillas during the wet season include the fact that permits are easily available, most accommodation facilities provide discounted rates, and the fact that you can enjoy the feeling of having the Lodge/Park to yourself.

However, in mountain gorilla natural habitats, which are forests, rainfall can be anticipated throughout the year, with varying amounts between the dry and wet seasons.