How to Reach Bwindi from Kigali
Did you know that you can reach Bwindi from Kigali? Explore with Native Africa Tours how to reach Bwindi from Kigali with ease. Travelling from Kigali to Bwindi National Park offers a more convenient option for visitors planning to track mountain gorillas in this Ugandan destination. Visitors can easily transfer from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via designated border crossing points.
Border crossing is involved if you are to reach Bwindi from Kigali. The available Rwanda-Uganda border crossing points are the Katuna and Chanika border. Using the Katuna border, you will drive from Kigali via Katuna to Kabale, then continue to Bwindi.
The Katuna border is perfect for gorilla trekkers interested in exploring the Ruhija sector in the East or the Buhoma trailhead in the Northern end of Bwindi. On the other hand, crossing via the Chanika border takes you up to the Southern gorilla trailheads in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Each border crossing offers convenient access to the dream gorilla trekking regions for visitors.
How long does it take to reach Bwindi from Kigali?
Getting to Bwindi from Kigali is possible by road. Using a 4×4 tourist vehicle makes it easier and faster. Visitors can spend 4 to 5 hours on the way to Bwindi. The park is located in the Kigezi region of southwestern Uganda. At border crossings, visitors are cleared by authorities. Later, they proceed straight to their respective trailhead, where gorilla trekking is meant to start.
What to expect in Kigali
Once you have arrived in Kigali, Native Africa Tours can safely pick you up at Kigali International Airport. From Kigali Airport, drive 10 km into the city to check into the hotel and relax. While in Kigali, expect to witness and explore several things. The best way to explore Kigali is to take a city tour led by an experienced city guide.
During the active Kigali city tour, expect to explore key sites including Kandt House Museum, Kigali Convention Centre, Inema Art Centre, Iva Arts, Azizi Life Studio, Rwanda Art Museum, Campaign Against Genocide Museum, Umusambi Village, Nyandungu Eco Park, Kigali Genocide Memorial Site, and many more.
What to expect in Bwindi
A visit to Bwindi promises a myriad of experiences and attractions. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in the Kigezi highlands, southwestern Uganda. The Park is set at an altitude of 1190 to 2607m. It is situated near the Congo border, but is safe for all your Uganda safaris.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts 120 mammal species, including mountain gorillas, and many other primates. Additional wildlife to find in Bwindi includes blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys, olive baboons, bush pigs, African forest elephants, side-striped jackals, clawless otters, African golden cats, and more.
The checklist of birds— over 350 species — also resides across the various habitats of Bwindi. Some of these include Chapin’s flycatchers, Shelley’s crimsonwing, regal sunbirds, black bee-eaters, bar-tailed trogon, lagden’s bush shrikes, white-bellied robin-chats, yellow-eyed black flycatchers, Doherty’s bush shrikes, and many others.
The various sectors/trailheads to visit in Bwindi
Once you reach Bwindi, you can stop at the available gorilla sectors, regions/trailheads. The scenic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four trailheads. These are: Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija sectors. The Ruhija sector is found on the Eastern side of Bwindi and is a preferred trailhead for most tourists on the Uganda gorilla trekking tour. In the Ruhija sector, expect to find habituated gorilla groups such as Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguriro, and Mukiza.
Ruhija Sector
The Ruhija sector has the highest point in Bwindi, rising to 2350m. This trailhead offers spectacular views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the nearby Virunga Massif. A tour in Ruhija provides more than just gorilla trekking. It also includes birding, guided nature walks, hiking, and a cultural experience.
Places to stay in and around the Ruhija region include Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Panorama Resort, Broadbill Forest Camp, Bwindi Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Gorilla Mist Camp, and Gift of Nature Lodge.
Buhoma Sector
Buhoma sector/trailhead in the Northern end of Bwindi is home to the oldest habituated gorilla group –the Mubare family. It was opened for gorilla tourism in 1993. Besides Mubare, Buhoma also hosts other habituated gorilla groups. These include: Rushegura, Habinyanja, Katwe, and more. In addition to gorilla treks, Buhoma also offers the best of birding experiences, Batwa cultural experience in the adjacent Batwa community, and more.
The available places to stay in and around the Buhoma sector include Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Bwindi Backpackers, Gorilla Forest Camp, Engagi Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, and others.
Rushaga Sector
Rushaga sector/trailhead is an amazing sector with multiple gorilla groups compared to the rest of the regions. The available gorilla groups in the Rushaga sector include the Kutu, Mishaya, Rwigyi, Nshongi, Tindatine, Busingye, Mucunguzi, Bweza, and Bikingi gorilla families.
Accommodation options in the Rushaga sector include Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nshongi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, and Bweza Gorilla Lodge.
Nkuringo Sector
The Nkuringo region lies at the southern end of Bwindi. It comprises habituated gorilla groups such as Christmas, Nkuringo, and Bushaho. Key places to book an overnight stay in Nkuringo include Nkuringo Campsite, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and more.
Top things to do in Bwindi
Visitors with plans to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali should expect to engage in the following experiences;
Gorilla trekking – this is a unique adventure and a must-do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. To engage in gorilla trekking in any of the sectors in Bwindi, you should have a valid permit, which costs USD 800 per person.
Gorilla habituation –unlike the traditional gorilla treks, habituation mainly focuses on the semi-habituated gorilla group. Visitors get 4 hours to interact with a group of gorillas and take pictures.
Bird-watching – Enthusiastic birders can embark on a guided birding tour to search for a variety of Albertine Rift endemics. Bwindi holds different birds, including Doherty’s bushshrike, black bee-eaters, regal sunbird, mountain oriole, handsome spurfowl, African green broadbill, great blue turacos, and Chapin’s flycatchers.
Forest/nature walks –explore any of the diverse forest hiking trails in Bwindi to explore its hidden gem. The hiking trails to visit include Munyaga waterfall, Ivy River trail, Bamboo trails, Kashasha River, Habinyanja, and Rushura hill trail.
What to pack for Bwindi safaris
Pack well, especially if you are visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking. The packing list should include a safari hat, waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, long pants, sunscreens, insect repellents, a daypack, a first-aid kit, and a camera.
How to reach Bwindi from Kampala/Entebbe
While reaching Bwindi from Kigali offers shorter drives to access the park, especially for visitors with limited time and on a tight budget, there is also an option of travelling from Entebbe or Kampala. Departing from Entebbe or Kampala for Bwindi is ideal for visitors on a multi-day tour. The beauty of it is that you have plenty to explore en route. En route, enriching experiences include the Equator crossing at Kayabwe and Lake Mburo. If you are on a long tour, you can add Kibale National Park for chimpanzee tracking and Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives with a chance to search for the tree-climbing lions.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be reached from Kigali, making it the shortest route. Plan and book your Bwindi tour with Native Africa Tours for convenient connections and unforgettable experiences.
