Cheapest way to travel from Kampala to Bwindi
Cheapest way to travel from Kampala to Bwindi – Affordable Gorilla trekking holidays in Uganda
Cheapest way to travel from Kampala to Bwindi – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in the south-western part of Uganda near the Democratic Republic of Congo situated on the border next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the Albertine Rift.
The park can be accessed by road and it is about 520 kilometres from Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. Normally for one to enjoy the journey, 4×4 safari vehicle is recommended taking the below routes:
From Kampala-Kabale about 414 kilometres, about 5-8 hours’ drive, then Kabale-Kanungu- Kanyantorogo down to Buhoma region where the Park Headquarters are, about 120 kilometres, a 3.5 hour-drive.
Alternatively you can move from Kampala-Kabale about 414 kilometres, and then proceed to Ruhija and finally to Buhoma region which is 95 kilometres, a three-hour drive. From Queen Elizabeth National Park to the northern sector like 2 to 3 hours drives, from Kampala through Mbarara city about 6 to 8 hours’ drive or from Kabale town to the southern just 1 to 2 hours. All those roads converge at Butogota, just 17 kilometres from the Buhoma region entrance-gate.
A daily bus leaves Kampala for Butogota via Rukungiri town and Kihihi town.You can get a taxi from here for about 20 km to Buhoma. Nkuringo has no public means unless when you hire a private vehicle from Kisoro town.
For those on self-drive, please consider a whole day since it may take you approximately 9-10 hours to drive on a winding road.
Drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The driving time to Bwindi Forest depends on where you come from. If you are from Kigali-Rwanda, its 3-4 hours’ drive while from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport, it is 9-10 hours’ drive. The journey is amazing with scenic views of the rolling green hills of Kigezi region, Lake Bunyonyi, the Uganda Equator line, road side craft and fresh fruit shops. The changes in vegetation covers, small Rivers and escarpments before reaching Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the home of mountain Gorillas.
From Lake Mburo National Park in Kiruhura district, it’s approximately 4-5 hours. Some companies prefer stopping over in Lake Mburo National Park to break the long distance to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. If you are from Queen Elizabeth National Park, the driving duration is approximately 5-6 hours passing through Ishasha section the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park commonly known for tree climbing lions, to Kihihi town and then Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Sometimes, the road through Ishasha sector is very slippery most especially in rainy seasons due to heavy down power and heavy tracks going to the Democratic Republic of Congo get stuck on the road. Alternatively, you can use a short cut that drivers use but in most cases, you might find yourself using the Ishaka road then Rukungiri to Nengo and then Kihihi town and lastly to Buhoma region.
Getting to Bwindi Forest from Rwanda
For those coming from Kigali city of Rwanda to Bwindi Forest National Park, Virunga express bus service has different bus terminals in Rwanda so board any Virunga bus from any part of Rwanda up to Kigali city. Virunga Express offices are in Nyabugogo taxi Park. They also have Virunga Express costa buses on routes from Gisenyi, Musanze and Butare daily from Kigali to Kabale at 3:00pm Rwanda time.
If you are in Musanze (Ruhengeri) board the Matatu to Chanika-Rwanda-Uganda boarder and then contact car Rental Company or Great Adventure Safaris to pick you and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
The southern and the eastern regions of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a reasonable distance from Kigali International Airport.