Bwindi impenetrable national park (BINM) in south western Uganda is the most sought after world class tourist destination as it harbors more than a half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas. Listed as critically endangered species by the IUCN, mountain gorillas are the major tourist attraction to travelers who visit Uganda to take safaris into Uganda’s national parks. Recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1994, Bwindi (WHICH LOCALLY REFERS TO DARKNESS OR IMPENETRABLE) was since 1942 a forest reserve before it was elevated to a full national park in 1991. The park occupies an area of 321 km sq mostly covered by dense tropical rain forests. The national park is characterized by tangled vegetation, draped over a deeply fissured landscape of steep slippery valleys and high – draughty ridges.
Its ever chilly weather and challenging terrain offers unequaled ambience and serenity for the visitors seeking to meet and interact with their closest cousins.
A gorilla trekking safari though this Africa’s ancient tropical rain forests, in search of the endangered mountain gorillas, ranks among the world’s premier wildlife encounters. Most of the travelers that visit Uganda list gorilla tracking as the top adventure activity to be included on their tour itinerary.
How to Travel to the Park
There are several options of travelling to Bwindi Impenetrable National park. These include both air and road trips.
1. Roads
Bwindi Impenetrable national park lies about 530 km from Kampala, the capital city. The park can be reached by road from several directions that include:
a) Through queen Elizabeth national park (Mweya) – via kihihi to buhoma. This route passes through Queen Elizabeth national park’s southerly Ishasha sector, providing a chance for the tourist’s to stop and search for the famous tree – climbing lion. BINP is 160 km frm Mweya and 64km from Ishasha.
b) From Kampala you can also access Bwindi Impenetrable national park via Kabale through Kanungu to Buhoma 5-6 hours (journey); Ntungamo via Rukungiri through Kihihi to Buhoma (5-6 HOURS JOURNEY); via Kabale –Ruhija-Buhoma (5-6 hrs journey); Kabale- Nkuringo (6-7 hours journey); Kisoro –Rubuguri/Nkuringo (2hrs journey)
Note: 4×4 vehicle is recommended for Bwindi visit.
2. Air Travel
Travelers can fly from Entebbe air port or Kampala (Kajjansi airfield) to the tarmac airstrip at Kisoro town. Visitors to Buhoma can also charter planes to Kayonza (near Butogota) or savannah (Kihihi) and Ishasha airstrips. Prior transport arrangements for transfer to the park are recommended. Airlines that offer scheduled and charter flights to Bwindi include Eagle Air, Aero Link a new entrant organizing scheduled flights to Bwindi and even several other national parks in Uganda.
