Getting to the Rushaga region located in SouthWestern Uganda – can be by either road or Air. Driving to Rushaga region from Entebbe requires 9-10 hours, while flying to Rushaga region from Entebbe only takes 1 hour 10 minutes and departs as early as 7:00am from Entebbe International Airport. Travellers could also opt to fly into Kigali and drive for only 05 hours to get to Rushaga Region in Uganda.
Rushaga region is one of the four (04) designated gorilla trekking locations found in the greater Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The region is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda is primarily popular for the unique Gorilla Habituation experience – where one gets a chance to trek and spend up to 4 hours in the midst of a wild gorilla family still undergoing the mandatory habituation process of preparing it for the traditional one (01) hour gorilla trekking experience that most travelers can afford.
- Gorilla habituation Permits cost $1,500 per person.
- The traditional 01 hour with the Gorillas dubbed ” gorilla trekking” costs $700 per person.
The Rushaga Region of Southern Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is our best recommendation for either gorilla trekking and or Gorilla habituation.
Top 5 Reasons Why we like to recommend the Rushaga region to our guests;
- Rushaga region is only o5 hours if you fly in through Rwanda.
- Rushaga region offers gorilla habituation experience – only done here in the entire world.
- Rushaga region has the highest number of habituated mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
- Rushaga is off the touristic route – most tour operators opt for the Buhoma region.
- Rushaga region combines well for a Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Combination – they can easily be stitched together.
Which is the best way of traveling to Rushaga (southern Bwindi) from Entebbe
- By Road: Connecting to the Rushaga Region from Entebbe is one of the longest drives you will probably encounter while on your Uganda Safari. Driving to Rushaga could last up to 10 hours depending on the prevailing road conditions – remember Uganda is the “Capital of speed humps ” these slow down traffic, the roads towards Rushaga are loose surface dirt roads whose conditions change with the weather. If driving to Rushaga, we recommend you use a 4×4 and an experienced driver-guide – we discourage self-drive – want to know why? read our post ” East Africa Self drive Safari – NOT recommended“.
- By Air: Flying to Kisoro airport is, without doubt, the best/fastest/easier/quickest way of getting to Rushaga. Aerolink Uganda Operates daily scheduled flights to Kisoro Airport from Entebbe with the earliest flight leaving Entebbe at 7:00 am (check-in time is 06:30 am). on arrival at Kisoro Airport, you will find a representative of Realm Africa Safaris waiting to meet, greet, assist you with your luggage and also transfer you to your lodge. The transfer from Kisoro Airport typically lasts 1 hour 20 minutes from Kisoro following a scenic dirt road that meanders through the hills and valleys with great views of some of the Magnificent craters Lakes.
How to connect to the Rushaga Region from Rwanda, Kigali City.
Kigali Capital City – Rwanda, is a mere 5 hours drive to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Forest. This is our best recommendation for Gorilla trekking in Uganda. Because the drive from Rwanda is short (compared to 10 hours from Entebbe Airport) we always advise our clients to fly through Rwanda and trek in Uganda.
