Drive Time to Bwindi Forest to Trek Gorillas
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in south-western Uganda, is one of the popular homes for mountain gorillas and a perfect destination for gorilla safaris. This Forest National Park is home to over 700 mountain gorillas (more than half the world population of the giant apes) living in more than 40 families, of which 20 families have been habituated for trekking.
The 20 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National park are distributed across four magnificent sectors/regions that include Buhoma sector (home to Rushegura, Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare), Ruhija sector (haven to Kyaguliro, Oruzogo, Mukiza, and Bitukura), Rushaga sector (region with the highest number of gorilla families including Mucunguzi, Rwigi, Kutu, Bikingi, Nshongi, Kahungye, Busingye, Bweza, and Mishaya) and Nkuringo region (home to Nkuringo, Bishaho and Christmas families).
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is approximately 590 kilometers from Entebbe International Airport, which makes it one of the far destinations in the country (another place in Kidepo Valley National Park). The easiest way of reaching Bwindi is by air (from Entebbe or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi or Kisoro) but is costlier compared to road travel which is also the commonest means used by tourists visiting the gorilla destination. Drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park varies depending on the place of departure (whether its Entebbe/Kampala, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kigali City (Rwanda), Kibale Forest and Lake Mburo National Parks).
Drive time from Entebbe
Driving from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes 9-10 hours for a distance for approximately 590 kilometers. The magnificent attractions along the way and different stopovers will make the 9-10 hours seem less and make the journey very interesting. Stopovers include the Equator along Masaka road where you will take photographs and buy souvenirs, Igongo Cultural Center (in Mbarara) for lunch as well as other places for organic fruits. The journey from Entebbe to Bwindi rewards tourists with the mind-blowing views of the countryside and rolling hills of Kabale among others.
The perfect itinerary for tourists driving from Entebbe is the 3-day gorilla safari, with the first day involving traveling to the destination, the second-day gorilla trekking and third day departing to Kampala.
Drive time from Kigali City
Tourists planning to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can instead fly into Kigali International Airport and then proceed to the Gorilla destination. Drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali City is about 4 hours, hence making it easier and faster can driving from Uganda. On arriving at Kigali International Airport, drive for only 4 hours through Katuna border post in Kabale district or the popular Cyanika border point within Kisoro district (both in south-western Uganda) and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Although it’s a short journey, it is filled with beautiful views of Kabale and Rwanda the land of a thousand hills. Driving from Kigali City is ideal for tourists planning to undertake a one-day Uganda gorilla safari, departing Kigali at 3:30 am and arriving Bwindi at 7:00 am. You can later drive back to Rwanda after the trek.
Drive time from Queen Elizabeth National Park
This kind of safari is good for tourists wishing to combine gorilla safari with game viewing tour. With the 5 days Uganda wildlife and gorilla safari, tourists can drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives to see the tree-climbing lions, elephants, leopards as well as a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel for the hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic bird species. This trip also leads you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector for the tree-climbing lions in a journey lasting 3-4 hours.
In conclusion, drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park depends on the departure point whereby tourists driving from Entebbe, Kigali or Queen Elizabeth National Park experience different distances and drive time.