Driving to Bwindi from Kampala, Kigali and Queen Elizabeth National Park– Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in southwestern Uganda in Kanungu district and a home to half of the population of mountain gorillas. The park is positioned along the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo next to Virunga National Park at the edge of the Albertine rift valley. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is harboring 120 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 220 butterfly species, chameleons, 27 species of frogs, geckos, and other endangered species.

What is the driving time to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park?

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has got 4 tracking sectors namely Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. the exact driving time cannot be estimated very well as some sectors are near and others are far and also depending on if you are traveling from Kampala city or Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park.

Yes, the driving time by road from Kampala city to Bwindi is about 9-10 hours and if you are driving to Buhoma sector of Bwindi, it is about 6-7 hours’ drive from Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park in western Uganda.

Rushaga and Nkuringo sector of Bwindi national park can be reached in 4-5 hours from Kigali city in Rwanda. Driving through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park is a bit difficult due to the poor nature of the road during the rainy season.

The road from Kampala is long and tiresome but rewarding with beautiful views of the countryside, equator, and the rift valley. While on your way to Bwindi impenetrable forest, you can make a stopover at the equator for photography and souvenirs, at lake Mburo national park for impalas and zebras as well as Queen Elizabeth national park for other wildlife viewing such as tree-climbing lions and a launch cruise on Kazinga channel.  If you are not adventurous you can fly into Kigali international airport Rwanda and drive a short distance through the Cyanika border in Kisoro and Katuna border in Kabale

Another alternative is reaching Bwindi impenetrable forest national park for a luxury safari is buy using a chartered flight from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro airstrip near Bwindi impenetrable forest.

What to do in Bwindi

The following are things you can do in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Gorilla trekking

Bwindi has a number of gorilla families in all sectors to trek. These include; Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye, Bweza, Nshongi among other

Gorilla habituation experience

Amongst the unique activities to do in Rushaga is the recently established activity called the gorilla habituation experience which allows visitors to spend 4 hours with endangered mountain gorillas. The activity allows only 4 people to go and see the gorillas that are still under habituation. Africa Adventure Vacations organizes tailor-made and customized gorilla habituation experience safaris that are conducted in Nkuringo and Rushaga throughout the whole year. The gorilla habituation permit in the Rushaga gorilla trekking sector costs USD1500 per person per trek and this includes the English-speaking guide, the park entrance fees, the trackers, and the guide’s fee. Remember that at end of the gorilla habituation experience you will get back to the starting point and then receive the certificate.

Birding

Birding is an important activity carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The park boasts over 350 bird species and you will spot several bird species that include While in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, You will be able to spot the following birds species among others; Black-billed, Strange, Banded Prinia, Crowned Hawk-Eagle, Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Dwarf Honeyguides, Blue-throated Roller, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Bronze-winged Pigeon, Kakamega, and Cabanis’ Greenbuls, Augur Buzzard, Ruwenzori, and Ross’s Turaco, Double-toothed, and Yellow-spotted Barbets, Red-chested Owlet, Jameson’s and Woodhouse’s Ant-peckers, Grauer’s Warbler, Western Violet-backed, Stuhlmann’s, among other activities

Nature walk safaris

After your gorilla trekking experience in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you can engage in forest or nature walks to explore Bwindi’s different tropical rainforests that have stayed for long and have existed for over 250000 years. There are different ancient trees which some of these different species can only be found in only Bwindi Forest. The Forest is impenetrable due to its thick canopy making the forest so great for nature walk safaris. You will be given the good experience Uganda Wildlife Authority guide who is experienced with nature and he or she takes you to the waterfalls, the most trails rich in Bird species among others. Please contact us for more details of these safaris.

Batwa cultural experience

Explore the Batwa culture with the traditional way of life, learn how they live, eat, and listen to their stories of how they were once food gathers and hunters before they were evacuated from the park since the park is located within the Batwa community. You can as well reach out to community schools teaching young children and any kind of support or donation to such community development will be highly appreciated.

What is the best time to drive to Bwindi?

Yes, you can drive to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park at any time of the year but some moths are better than others so the best driving time is the dry season when the roads are in good condition and the trails for mountain gorilla trekking are not so muddy and slippery.