​Getting There – Bwindi NP

Ariadne van Zandbergen
Expert
By Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Uganda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Uganda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Ariadne and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Map of Uganda Map of Uganda
Uganda Map

There are four different trailheads for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These are Buhoma and Ruhija in the north, and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. They are several hours apart by road. If visited as part of a Ugandan tour, Buhoma, the main gorilla trekking trailhead, can be reached from Queen Elizabeth National Park in 2 to 3 hours* (from the Ishasha sector) or 5 to 6 hours* (from the more northerly sectors). It is 5 to 7 hours* by road from Lake Mburo National Park to the various trailheads. If coming straight from Entebbe or Kampala, the trip by road will take about 8 to 10 hours*. During the rainy season, travel by 4WD vehicle is necessary for some trailheads.

Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is where most visitors enter the country. It is about 46km/29mi from the capital city of Kampala. It is possible to fly by domestic carrier from Entebbe or Kampala (Kajjansi Airfield) to Kihihi or Kisoro near Bwindi.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Entebbe International Airport (EBB), and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Flights

Most domestic flights between parks are arranged by tour operators and are included in your tour package. Bwindi can be reached by scheduled or chartered flight. Kihihi is the closest airport to the Buhoma and Ruhija trailheads and Kisoro is closest to the southerly Rushaga and Nkuringo. Both are about 40km/25mi from the park and the drive from either takes usually about 1½ hours.

There are two domestic carriers flying scheduled services to Kihihi or Kisoro:

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Please check our Getting There – Uganda page to learn more about passport, visa, COVID-19 and other entry requirements.

Want To Visit Bwindi NP?