Which is the best way to get to Bwindi? Drive or Fly to Bwindi? How does Flying Compare to Driving to get to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park? This is a very common question that previous clients have asked us, in todays article we explain how driving compares to Flying when trying to get to Bwindi. Drive or Fly to Bwindi
Bwindi is located approximately 500km/310miles from Entebbe/ Kampala. To cover this journey by car will require that you set aside 9 -10 hours of travel before you can get to Bwindi. The same journey (500km/310miles) by Plane will take you much less travel time; 1hour 45minutes to Fly from Entebbe to Kihihi Airport or 1hour 10 minutes to fly to Kisoro airport. Drive or Fly to Bwindi
- Kihihi Airport connects the Northern & eastern sectors of Bwindi; Buhoma & ruhija sectors respectively.
- Kisoro Airport connects the southern & southwestern sectors of Bwindi; Rushaga & Nkuringo Sectors respectively.
Driving to Bwindi from Entebbe/Kampala.
While there is up to four (04) different routes connecting to the four (04) designated gorilla trekking regions of Greater Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park, we generally like to estimate the distance from Entebbe/ Kampala at 500km/310miles and the drive time is 9 – 10 hours.
While the greatest section of the drive from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi Forest is on a paved road, the last bits are on a dirt road. The dirt roads do get wet, soggy, and can be very slippery, and challenging to navigate especially in the rainy season months of April, May & November. We recommend hiring a functional 4×4 vehicle and a driver-guide for your road trip to Bwindi.
Learn more about the best gorilla trekking region in Bwindi.
The Cost of Driving to Bwindi from Entebbe/Kampala Drive or Fly to Bwindi
If you choose to drive, the following costs will apply;
-
Vehicle hire.
You will need to hire a vehicle for your journey to Bwindi. We recommend hiring a 4×4 vehicle – it’s the most suitable for this trip especially for the off-road sections of the drive that can be slippery during the rainy season months of April, May & November.
The cost of hiring a decent 4×4 vehicle;
Toyota Rav 4 (seats up to 4 persons with a window seat) – $50 per day.
- Toyota Super custom (seats 5 persons each with a window seat) – $90 per day.
- Toyota Hiace (seats 7 persons each with a window seat) – $100 per day.
- Toyota Landcruiser (seats 5 persons each with a window seat) – $130 per day.
- Toyota Landcruiser stretched (seats 7 persons each with a window seat) – $150 per day.
The prices mentioned above are per day and DONT include driver fees.
-
Driver guide fees.
The driver guides that we use are highly trained and each carries years of expertise in the tourism industry with additional training in defensive driving, off-road driving – making them the safest option for you when driving to Bwindi. Their fees are $50 per day.
Fuel Cost: Drive or Fly to Bwindi
The average 4×4 vehicle will consume about 1 liter for every 5km/3miles. So to cover the 500kms/310miles you will need about 100liters/26 gallons of fuel for oneway. For a return trip, you will need 200 liters/52 gallons of fuel.
So if 1 litre of diesel costs UGX4,160
- Oneway trip:UGX4,160×100 = UGX416,000 for 100litres/26 gallons.
- Return trip: UGX4160x100 = UGX832,000 for 200litres/52 gallons.
Because fuel prices do fluctuate quite often, we recommend that you treat the fuel price as a guide.
Popular Road trips/ Driving Safaris to Bwindi Forest National park Drive or Fly to Bwindi
Flying to Bwindi from Entebbe/Kampala.
For travelers that choose to Fly to Bwindi, it is important that you understand that there are only 02-airports servicing all flying trips to Bwindi except if you opt to charter a helicopter in which case you will land at designated landing sites
Kihihi airport services the Northern & Eastern sector of Bwindi Forest; Buhoma and Ruhija. You will have to drive at least 1 hr & 30 minutes to get to your hotel from the airport.
The second airport nearest to Bwindi is Kisoro airport which services the south & southwestern sectors of Rushaga & Nkuringo respectively. Similarly, you will drive at least 1hour & 30minutes from Kisoro airport to get to your lodge.
Learn more about the Best Places to Stay in Bwindi.
Which Airlines Fly to Bwindi Forest National Park & How often do they Fly?
There are currently two (02) companies that operate daily scheduled and private charters flights to Bwindi Forest National park landing and either Kihihi or Kisoro airports as mentioned above. These are Aerolink Uganda & Fly Uganda.
Typically, your Gorilla tour operator should be able to assist you to book these flights. They will also arrange a vehicle to meet and transfer you from the airport to your Lodge (and the cost will reflect in the overall cost of your Safari to Bwindi).
Flights to/from Entebbe landing at Kisoro Airstrip
|
From |
To | Departure | Arrival |
|
Entebbe |
Kisoro |
0700 |
0810 |
| Kisoro | Entebbe | 0825 |
1125 |
Note: Kisoro flights are subject to prevailing weather conditions and strictly morning flights.
Flights to/from Entebbe to Kihihi Airstrip
|
From |
To | Departure | Arrival | |
|
Entebbe |
Kihihi | 0700 | 0845 | |
|
Kihihi |
Entebbe |
0945 |
1125 |
|
|
Entebbe |
Kihihi |
1015 |
1125 |
Mid-morning daily flight except for Low season (April‚ May and November) |
| Kihihi | Entebbe | 1140 |
1330 |
|
|
Entebbe |
Kihihi |
1200 |
1445 |
|
| Kihihi | Entebbe | 1455 | 1555 |
|
When is the best time to Fly to Bwindi for Gorilla Trekking?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be visited all year round. However, the dry season months of June to August or December to February are considered the best time to fly to Bwindi.
Travelers digest:
- As you decide on when to visit Bwindi, we recommend that you thoroughly discuss the seasons and prevailing weather conditions with your local tour operator.
- Its also important to note that while it is conducive to visit Bwindi in the season, remember to plan and have your local tour operator book your gorilla permits well in advance. This is because permits often get fully booked during the dry (peak season).
- While the rainy season may be characterized by thunderstorms and showers, it is arguably the best time for intent photographers looking to photograph or Film Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park. It is also easier to secure gorilla trekking permits in the low season months; March to May or September to November.
- Please remember to treat the information about the weather as a guide as weather patterns have become less regular in recent years and as the park covers a rainforest it can rain in any month of the year.
