Bwindi forest national park has presently become a first stop centre for most gorilla safari tours to Africa. The impenetrable forest is one of the two gorilla destinations in the world together with the Virunga conservation area shared by Mgahinga national park, volcanoes national park and Virunga national park. The park is a home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas, which make it a best gorilla destination with 17 gorilla families available for trekking. The park is divided into four different sectors of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuiringo all open to travelers. Upon the confirmation of every gorilla trip, the next question is how to get to the national park. Getting to Bwindi is roughly 9-10 hours drive from Kampala, which make it one of the distant national parks in Uganda.Quick connection from Kigali to Uganda has made gorilla safaris in Bwindi quite easy. Short gorilla trips to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park have been made easy through Kigali. Setting off at 3:30am from Kigali enables travelers to do a 1-day gorilla tour to Bwindi. Connecting from Rwanda can be through either Cyanika border in kisoro to Rushaga sector south of Bwindi or katuna to Buhoma in north of the park. Bwindi forest is mostly prefered for gorilla trekking compared to high Rwanda gorilla tours and insecurity issues in Congo.
Transport by road
Road transport is the common means of transport to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The national park is situated in southwestern Uganda, which is roughly 10 hours dive from Entebbe international airport. For those who have ample time, an enroute through Queen Elizabeth national park is an added advantage. Here travelers can drive through Ishasha a home to climbing lions south of QENP connecting to Buhoma sector in the northern part of the national park.
Also, travelers can use different routes which include:
Kampala-kabale-kanungu-Buhoma
Here traveler’s set off from Kampala diving all way through Masaka, Mbarara kabale, Kanungu and finally connect to Bwindi through Buhoma. This whole distance covers roughly 414 kilometers which make it one of the longest routes. Despite the long hours of driving, Kampala-kabale-kanungu-Buhoma route is the most enjoyable which reward travelers with additional experiences of beautiful sceneries, rolling hills and hospitable Uganda people you come a cross on the way. On reaching Kanungu, travelers take a marum road through Kanyantorogo covering around 120 km to reach Buhoma. The roads are bumpy which require travelers to use 4WD cars to ensure easy of travel.
Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-kihihi-Buhoma
For those who have used this route before, Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-kihihi-Buhoma route is the quickest route to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Traveler’s setoff from Kampala and on reaching Ntungamo they branch off the highway connecting to a muram road to Rukungiri and then through kihihi. The distance covered is roughly 390km but it’s worth driving
Kampala-Kabale-Ruhija
Here travelers drive direct from roughly 8 hours to kabale town from which they connect to Ruhija in eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Driving fro kabale to Ruhija is by muram road through local communities and farms, which make it so experiential. A 4x4WD is recommended since roads are bumpy and slippery especially in rain seasons.
Kampala-kabale-Nkuringo
Travelers using this route target to connect to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park through Nkuringo sector. The journey starts from Kampala diving direct to Kabale town. From Kampala, travelers follow the mountainous bumpy road to Nkuringo sector via communities and local gardens. Some tourists using this route have overnights in kisoro town before embarking on their journeys to Nkuringo. Those who are travelling to Bwindi by public transport board on a bus after which they get a taxi connecting to Buhoma. These who are trekking in Nkuringo sector are advised to hire vehicles on reaching kisoro since there are no public means of transport.
Travelers using public transport board a bus direct from Kampala. On reaching kabale town,travelers board private means since there are no public means connecting to Bwindi. Travelers using public transport are reminded to be careful while bargaining with conductors to avoid being over charged for nothing.
Transport by air
Alternatively, travelers to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can use air transport. Chatter flights are available from kanjassi airstrip in Entebbe to any airstrip in kabale or kisoro. Those trekking in Rushaga fly from kajansi to kisoro airstrip while those in Buhoma and Ruhija fly to kihihi airstrip from which they easily connect to these sectors.
Besides mountain gorillas, Bwindi impenetrable national park BFNP is a home to over 350 birds some of which are endemic to the area. 7 o f the birds in Bwindi are listed under the international union for conservation of nature while 90% of the total birds are endemic to Bwindi and hardly found any where else in the world. The Afro Montane forests provide favorable habitat and food foe animals and birds in this park.
Accommodation in Bwindi
The accommodations you choose in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park depend on which sector you trek gorillas, in and your budget. Luxury, midrange and budget lodges have been established in all sector of Bwindi to serve travelers with luxury food and sleeping services. The lodges available lodges in Bwindi include Chameleon hill lodge, Bakiga lodge, silverback lodge, Buhoma community camp, Nkuringo clouds lodge, Gorilla mist camp, Buhoma lodge, Bwindi forest camp, Engagi lodge, gorilla valley lodge, Buhoma forest camp, gorilla forest camp and gorilla safari lodge among others. However, travelers are assured of memorable.
In general, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is an exceptional tourism destination. A Uganda safari to Bwindi reward you with memorable gorilla tour experiences, bird watching, mountain gorilla habitation, cultural tours and forest/nature walks which all make your safari enjoyable and memorable.
