Cheapest way to travel from Kampala to Bwindi

Cheapest way to travel from Kampala to Bwindi – Affordable Gorilla trekking holidays – Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda – Budget Gorilla trekking tours

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in southern Uganda near the Democratic Republic of the Congo, adjacent to Virunga National Park, and on the edge of the Albertine Rift. The park is accessible by road and is approximately 520 kilometres from Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. Normally, a 4×4 safari vehicle is advised for the excursion, travelling the following routes:

Approximately 414 kilometres from Kampala to Kabale, approximately 5-8 hours’ travel, then Kabale-Kanungu-Kanyantorogo down to Buhoma district, about 120 miles, 3.5 hours’ journey.
Alternatively, you may go 414 km from Kampala to Kabale, then to Ruhija, and ultimately to the Buhoma district, which is 95 kilometres and a three-hour journey. The drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the northern sector takes around 2 to 3 hours; the drive from Kampala to Mbarara city takes about 6 to 8 hours; and the drive from Kabale town to the southern sector takes about 1 to 2 hours. All of these routes come together in Butogota, which is only 17 km from the Buhoma region’s entrance.

A daily bus departs Kampala for Butogota, passing through Rukungiri and Kihihi towns. You may take a cab from here to Buhoma, which is around 20 km away. Nkuringo has no public transport unless you hire a private vehicle from Kisoro.

Self-drivers should plan on spending a whole day because driving on a twisty route can take 9–10 hours.

Time spent driving to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

The travel time to Bwindi Forest is determined by your starting point. It is a 3–4 hour trip from Kigali, Rwanda, and a 9–10 hour drive from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. The ride is breathtaking, with stunning vistas of the Kigezi region’s rolling green hills, Lake Bunyonyi, the Uganda Equator line, and roadside artisan and fresh fruit shops. The variations in vegetation, tiny rivers, and escarpments before arriving at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which is home to mountain gorillas, It takes around 4-5 hours from Lake Mburo National Park in the Kiruhura area. Some firms choose to break the long journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park by stopping in Lake Mburo National Park. If you are coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park, the drive will take around 5–6 hours, going via Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for tree-climbing lions, Kihihi town, and finally the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The route through the Ishasha sector may be particularly slick at times, especially during rainy seasons, due to heavy downpower, and big trains heading to the Democratic Republic of the Congo can become trapped on the road. You can also take a shortcut that cars take, but in most cases, you’ll end up on the Ishaka Road, then Rukungiri to Nengo, Kihihi town, and finally the Buhoma district. Due to significant down power, the track through Ishasha sector may be very slippery at times, especially during wet seasons, and large trains travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo might become stalled on the road. You may also take a car bypass, but you’ll most likely wind up on the Ishaka road, then Rukungiri to Nengo, Kihihi town, and eventually the Buhoma area.

If you are in Musanze (Ruhengeri), take the Matatu to the border of Rwanda and Uganda, then contact a vehicle rental company or Monumental Expeditions and Safaris to pick you up and take you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s southern and eastern portions are a decent distance from Kigali International Airport.