Kigali vs Entebbe for Bwindi gorilla tours – Compare gorilla safaris from Entebbe to Kigali – Top starting point for a gorilla trekking safari.
Kigali vs Entebbe for Bwindi gorilla tours – Do you want to visit gorillas in Uganda but you want to Compare gorilla tours to Bwindi starting from Entebbe to those starting from Kigali, are you trying to find out about how far is Bwindi from Entebbe, the distance from Entebbe to Bwindi impenetrable National park is approximately 540km and the drive time is approximately 8 to 9 hours’ drive. You can as well get to Bwindi by flight which is approximately 1-2 hours the flight departs from Entebbe Airport starting at 7am to airstrips of Kisoro and Kihihi and from here you can be picked up by your driver guide or the hotel shuttle where you plan to stay for the nights in Bwindi. Kigali vs Entebbe for Bwindi gorilla tours.
If you start and end from Entebbe the drive time to Bwindi will be 8-9 hours each way you will have a stop at Uganda Equator, you will need to apply for Uganda tourist single entry visa but if you start and end from Kigali the drive time will be 4-5 hours’ drive each way you will stop at the Genocide Museum in Kigali, you will need to apply for the East African Multi-entry Visa. This trip can as well start in Entebbe and end in Kigali and vice versa. This will all depend on which flights you get
How to get to get to Bwindi on gorilla trekking tours starting from Entebbe
How far is Bwindi from Entebbe by Road; This will depend on which sector you will be doing your gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; Bwindi can be accessed through the main high-way road from Entebbe/Kampala which approximately 8-9 hours’ drive. The northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma can be accessed by turning off along the Kabale-Kisoro road you will see the sign posted of Uganda Wildlife Authority which you will follow up to the designated sector for your trek. The southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads can be reached using the road turning off at Muko along Kabale-Kisoro High way.
How far is Bwindi from Entebbe by Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo and then to Kihihi airstrip for the northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero Link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to your Lodge you are booked for your stay.
About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the only 4 national parks home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the world, other national parks include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest forests with a diverse biodiversity with various species which include 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths and 120 mammals, the park is also home to several primates including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkey and the major one the Mountain Gorillas. The global population of mountain gorillas is 1064 individuals and half of these can be found in Bwindi forest, the park has over 20 habituated gorilla family groups open for gorilla tracking with 8 gorilla permits allocated to each group per day.
Where is Gorilla Trekking done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is done in 4 sectors which include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi and Ruhija sector in the North Eastern part of Bwindi both sectors are located close to Queen Elizabeth National Park making it easy to combine gorilla trekking with game viewing if you are trekking at these sectors. In the southern Part of Bwindi it is where Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are located close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking and Golden monkey tracking. Each sector has different habituated mountain gorilla families open for gorilla trekking with Rushaga sector having many families compared to other sectors.
How much is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. A Gorilla Permit costs USD800 per person per trek for Foreign Non-Residents, USD700 for East African Residents and USD90 for East African Citizens. This Gorilla permit gives you an opportunity to spend one-hour encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi forest once you find them on your trek.
What is the best time to go Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest?
The best time to do a gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown
What to pack for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest?
During gorilla tracking you will need a comfortable, hard wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots. Conditions are generally very muddy when it is raining. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants. Suggested Items to pack for Gorilla trekking in Bwindi include; Insect Repellent, Torch/Flashlight – and Spare Batteries, Wet Wipes, Water Bottle, Camera, lenses etc, Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks, Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking, Sandals/strops/walking shoes, Hat and Sunscreen, Rain Jacket, Sweater/fleece, Swimwear, Binoculars (game/bird watching).
Where to stay during gorilla trekking tours starting from Entebbe
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is done in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga lodges, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo lodges you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla trekking.
In the northern part, in Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ride 4 a Woman among others, In Ruhija you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.