How to get to Bwindi for Gorilla Trekking

How to get to Bwindi for Gorilla Trekking

Detailed guide on how to get to Bwindi for gorilla trekking. There are two options on how visitors can travel to Bwindi National Park to participate in the gorilla trekking adventure. Visitors can move by road or by air. Each of the options has benefits and disadvantages which shall be looked at in detail. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the top visited places in Africa for gorilla trekking. This park is lying close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the highest mountain gorilla population. Bwindi is situated in Southwestern Uganda and getting to this park is possible by road or by air.

By road

How to get to Bwindi for gorilla trekking by road. Traveling to Bwindi by road without a doubt guarantees holidaymakers the best of Uganda safari. The available options include traveling from Entebbe or Kampala via the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route and the estimated time to be spent is 8-9 hours. There is also an option of setting off from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi and you can spend about 2-3 hours. This is even perfect for visitors around the Ishasha area, meaning, you can have a combination of gorilla trekking and wildlife tours. At Ishasha, you can embark on a guided game drive where you search for the tree-climbing lions. From the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth Game Park, you can easily connect to the Buhoma region in Bwindi.

From Lake Mburo National Park –the best destination to find zebras, impalas, and other antelope families; visitors can take about 5 to 6 hours’ drive. Even if you are in Kabale, you can travel to Bwindi to trek gorillas. From Kabale to Bwindi, you can drive for 17 km and you can be at the park ready for your holiday. Other available routes within Uganda include Kampala via Mbarara to Kabale to Ruhija. The Ruhija sector is located in Eastern Uganda and accessing it means a great opportunity for you to visit gorilla families such as Mukiza, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, and more. Kampala-Mbarara-Nkuringo is an ideal route for visitors who prefer exploring gorilla families in the southern regions of Bwindi. The Nkuringo sector is composed of groups like Nkuringo, Bushaho, and Christmas.

From Kigali

Driving from Kigali to Bwindi for gorilla trekking is another available option for primate adventure seekers on gorilla safaris in Uganda. Setting off from Kigali to Bwindi involves crossing the Katuna/Chanika border. Overall, your journey can cover about 4-5 hours’ drive then you connect via Kabale or Kisoro then you proceed to the park. Crossing from Kigali to Bwindi makes it a shorter journey and often, this is the best for you to enjoy short gorilla trips like 1-day, 2-day gorilla tours, 3-day Bwindi gorilla trekking tours, and more.

Why travel by road transportation to Bwindi

Road transportation comes with abundant opportunities for you to explore en route. Each route has plenty of attractions to explore before you reach Bwindi National Park. They include making stopovers at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe which you can’t do on the flight.

Use a 4×4 safari vehicle to get to Bwindi

A 4×4 safari vehicle is the ideal type of car for visitors to get to Bwindi by road. 4×4 tourist cars are comfortable, safe, and secure for road transportation to Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking.

By air

How to get to Bwindi for gorilla trekking by air. Fly-in gorilla tours to Bwindi can be arranged by Native Africa Tours. This option involves setting off from Entebbe Airport to nearby airstrips to Bwindi that is Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrips. When you take a flight to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips, expect to spend about 1-2 hours. From the airstrips, you can find the experienced guide from Native Africa Tours who then transfers you to Bwindi to check in your lodge.

Air transportation is a perfect option for luxury travelers or visitors who do not prefer spending longer hours to get to Bwindi for a gorilla tour. In case you have limited time but still want to engage in the gorilla trek or gorilla habituation in Bwindi, then consider booking a fly-in gorilla tour with Native Africa Tours. Flights to Bwindi are available each week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Aero Link offers daily flights to and from Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrips. Other than Entebbe Airport, Kajjansi Airfield is the other departure point as per gorilla fly safaris.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Gorilla trekking is the key trip highlight and is the best primate adventure for you to encounter the family of mountain gorillas. While in Bwindi for gorilla safaris, the sectors to explore include Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Buhoma. Gorilla families in Bwindi are distributed across the 4 sectors or regions. The notable habituated gorilla groups include Habinyanja, Rushegura, Christmas, Mubare, Mukiza gorilla group, Busingye, Mucunguzi, Oruzogo, Katwe gorilla group, and Nshongi. The other gorilla families to trek in Bwindi include the Bitukura group, Bikini, Kutu gorilla group, Kahungye, Bweza, Rwigi, Mishaya gorilla families, and others.

Gorilla permits

Before you think of traveling to Bwindi to trek gorillas, first, a gorilla permit should be booked. Each gorilla permit in Uganda is issued to guests at USD 800 per person for all foreign nonresidents, & USD 700 for all foreign residents on gorilla tours. Booking a gorilla permit in Uganda to trek Bwindi gorillas is possible through local experts like Native Africa Tours.

When to travel to trek Bwindi gorillas in the wild

The dry season is without doubt the most preferred time for visitors to have a successful gorilla trek in Bwindi. This occurs twice a year starting in June, July, August, and September –the months that mark the longest dry season. The shortest dry season starts in December, January to February. These are also referred to as the peak months- the months when high numbers of trekkers confine in Bwindi to trek gorillas. Besides the dry months, Bwindi gorillas can also be explored during the rainy season. This also takes place twice a year starting in March to May- the months that mark the longest wet or rainy season. Then October to November which marks the short wet season/months of the year.

Packing list for Bwindi gorilla trekking tour

The list of the items to include when packing for gorilla trekking in Bwindi are; waterproof hiking or walking boots, snacks, bottled water, a daypack, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, a rain jacket, a good camera without any flashlight, insect repellent, and long trousers. Additional items to include on your packing list include a first aid kit or medical kit, a pair of socks, gardening gloves, a safari hat, sunglasses, and more.

Where to stay on a gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi

Bwindi National Park has many budget, midrange, and luxury gorilla lodges for visitors to stay in. They include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Orugano Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, and Mahogany Springs Lodge. You can also stay in Bwindi Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Heights, Trackers Safari Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bwindi Nshongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge.

Conclusively, knowing how to get to Bwindi for gorilla trekking is essential for all gorilla trekkers. Road and air transportation are all possible options for you to connect to Bwindi National Park to explore the rare mountain gorillas.