Travel by road is the most common way of getting to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for gorilla trekking. Road trips to Bwindi can start from Kigali or Entebbe. We also have also in the past organized tailormade road trips from other smaller cities around Uganda like Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro visiting Bwindi for gorilla trekking.
Popular Road Trips to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
More information about Planning & going on Road trips to Bwindi National Park
Most of our Road trips to Bwindi Impenetrable often start from either Kigali or Entebbe.
From Kigali, it takes about 5 hours by road to get to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This is a favorite of many travelers that want to avoid the much longer drive from Entebbe to Bwindi – 9 hours. However, travelers that opt to fly into Kigali and trek Gorillas In Uganda must put into consideration the following;
- The East African Tourist Visa: You’ll need an east African Tourist visa to seamlessly fly into Kigali, and the very same visa will grant you border access to Uganda (return) for a maximum of up to 90 Days. The East African Tourist Visa costs $100 per person – we recommend applying for it online prior to travel. Ensure you print out copies to bring with you on your travel. For more info: How to apply for an East African Tourist Visa.
- Driving from Kigali to Bwindi Forest National Park: There are four (04) designated Gorilla trekking locations; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo sectors spread across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The drive to Rushaga & Nkuringo will take you about 05-hours, while the connections from Kigali to Ruhija & Buhoma will take 6 to 7-hours respectively. Seek proper guidance on the best location to trek Gorillas from Kigali….. (our recommendation is either Rushaga or Nkuringo sector – 5 hours drive from Kigali).
- Where to stay while on a Road trip to Bwindi: Depending on which sector you are scheduled to visit on your Gorilla Trekking safari you should be able to find accommodation options ranging from Budget, and midrange to the very upmarket safari lodges. Check out our recommendations of Places to stay categorized by sectors.
- Best time to go on a road trip to Bwindi: Generally speaking, the best time to plan & go on a road trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is between June and August, and then again in December through to February. These are the driest months, with the best chance of sunny skies and clear days perfect for wildlife viewing, although showers are always possible.
Check out our Monthly Gorilla Trekking Guide
- What Kind of Vehicle Should I hire/rent or use on a road trip to Bwindi? We recommend hiring/renting or using a 4×4 Vehicle with good ground clearance. While the roads may not look that bad, they can get from good to worse in a matter of seconds, especially during the rainy season. The roads can get slippery and tougher to navigate without a descent 4×4 vehicle. For extra comfort and safety, we additionally request that you consider hiring an experienced driver/guide to drive you on this journey. Realm Africa Safaris™ can arrange both a Vehicle and driver-guide for you.
