Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

August 22, 2024
News Journeys Uganda

Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, requires careful planning and preparation. It is one of Uganda’s top destinations that attracts visitors worldwide because of its unique species, the giant mountain gorillas in the dense jungle of Bwindi. Entebbe International Airport is the primary airport serving Uganda, and it is the gateway to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for visitors arriving by air. Our company representative will pick you up from Entebbe Airport or your hotel and then drive southwards to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Road or air travel are both possible ways to get to Bwindi. Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Air Strip are the closest airports, with regular flights from Entebbe International Airport. From Kampala, it is a beautiful 8–10-hour travel trip. An additional tourist may choose to enter Uganda’s southwest national parks through the Kigali Rwanda gateway. Since the Kigali Rwanda gateway is closer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park than Entebbe, it is actually preferable to use it to access the park. From Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, the trip takes four to five hours, including crossing the border at Katuna or Cyanika.

Prior to beginning the trek to see the magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, visitors must check in at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters. This requires patience, physical fitness, and respect for these amazing mountain gorillas.

Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park from Entebbe or Kampala.

It takes a maximum of 9 hours to get from Kampala to Bwindi. You will see a number of interesting things while travelling, including animals, the equator, rolling hills, and many others. A safari to Lake Mburo may be added to provide a break from lengthy hours of uninterrupted driving while still allowing visitors to see the wonderful wildlife and game.

Flying to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, our driver and tour guide will accompany you to the Kajjasi airstrip, where you will board Aerolink airline, a daily, one-hour flight that will take you to Kihihi in Buhoma town or Kisoro, which are located in the southern region of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Alternatively, you may choose to fly into Rwanda if you plan to trek in Uganda. Most travellers purchase a tourist visa from Rwanda and then apply online for an East Africa visa. Approximately 70% of clients prefer to fly into Kigali Airport before departing from Entebbe.

Entebbe is the starting point of this unique gorilla trekking expedition, which then travels to Kisoro. Ten percent of our customers enjoy using the airline option. Savannah Airstrip, also known as Kayonza, is another destination for planes. It is conveniently located between Mishaya, Nshogi, and Nkuringo, and is served by three airfields: Kayonza, Nyakabande, and Kihihi in Kisoro.

For certain travellers, scheduled flights to Bwindi are convenient. The anticipated nine-hour trip from Entebbe airport to Bwindi Forest is regarded by some travellers as a lengthy trek, leading some to choose for a scheduled or domestic aircraft to reach the park. Scheduled Flights to Bwindi impenetrable national park.

The Kajjansi airstrip is the departure point for the scheduled flight that transports you directly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Through travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and other safari areas, the planned flight offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy an incredible Ugandan safari.

For a smooth journey to Bwindi, Aerolink offers reasonable prices. Flights to other airstrips in Uganda are resumed from Entebbe or Kajjansi. The benefit is that flights can be modified to accommodate a tourist’s preferred time of departure. Long distances are covered by flights, adding intrigue to the trip to Bwindi.

It should be noted that flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park commence at Kihihi airfield for those interested in trekking. You can enjoy gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector, located in the northern regions of Bwindi, by taking an hour-long flight.  You will need ten hours to drive to Kabale from Kampala.

For those who are short on time but yet want to trek the mountain gorillas, flying to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the most convenient option. You can get in touch with us if you are interested in any of the scheduled flights to Bwindi Park.

The cost of gorilla trekking is occasionally determined by the traveler’s season of departure. For instance, the lodges are reasonably priced throughout the low-lying and rainy months of April, May, and November. A tourist may choose to sign up for a group tour in order to split the cost of their gorilla trekking tour by sharing lodging, food, transportation, and guides.

What to carry for mountain gorilla trekking

Following what to carry for mountain gorilla trekking in Africa, these endangered mountain gorillas live in the dense forests of Rwanda’s volcanoes, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, and Uganda’s impenetrable Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. Being tropical rainforests, these national parks necessitate packing light clothing for any change in the weather. Because of their rugged and hilly terrain, Rwanda and Uganda have lower, occasionally frigid elevations. A few essentials you will need to carry for mountain gorilla trekking are a water-resistant coat or jacket, hiking boots or shoes, and a walking stick that you may get at the lodge or park headquarters.

Since gorilla trekking takes place in the early hours of the day, what you carry for mountain gorilla trekking is always essential for this activity. During gorilla trekking, there are higher chances of rain. You should always pack water proof jackets, long sleeves, including shirts, trousers, gloves, and other items to protect you from nettles. Since the weather might change at any time when embarking on a mandatory gorilla trekking expedition, you are advised to pack light clothing, a camera, binoculars, bottled water, waterproof coats, and a packed lunch, among other items. Along with porters who will assist you in carrying your bulky bags of luggage up the steep terrain throughout your walk, a ranger guide will also take you through the forest.

Lightweight, waterproof gear, windproof coats, sweaters, hats with brims to protect from the sun, a pair of shoes, and many more items are necessary for a successful gorilla trekking experience. Sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, a daypack, insect repellent, earplugs, binoculars, extra batteries, earplugs, alarm clock, film, camera, chargers, wash cloths, wet wipes, torch, plastic bags, sewing kit, First Aid Kit, notepads, aspirin, ear drops, eye drops, and individually prescribed medication, in addition to many other items.

Make your reservations for affordable gorilla trekking excursions to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with Journeys Uganda.

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