Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is truly a mountain gorilla highland, home to more than 459 mountain gorillas. Situated in Southwestern Uganda, Bwindi is one of the 4 places in the world where you can get up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Mountain gorillas are some of the human closest relatives, sharing up to 95% of their DNA. These endangered species survive only in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo.
Getting to Bwindi by public transportation (By Bus)
Public transportation is one of the best ways that tourists can reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Starting your road trip from Kampala to Bwindi NP means you can drive for 8-9 hours and the best route that leads to the park is the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route. There are 4 sectors (regions) that offer access to Bwindi NP or where tourists begin gorilla trekking adventures and include Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija regions.
Important tip
While public transportation is one option for visitors to travel to Bwindi, it is also important to take note that there is no bus that goes directly to the park. Most buses stop at the main town areas like Kabale town or Kisoro. From Kabale/Kisoro town, you will require to rent a car in Kabale or Kisoro town or a motorbike for you to connect to the park.
Depending on your preferred gorilla trekking region in Bwindi, visitors with plans to explore Ruhija or Buhoma sectors can take buses that run via Mbarara-Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kihihi and Butogota.
If you are taking the public bus to Southwestern Uganda, be aware of thieves and keep safe your property. Ensure that all your luggage is safe near you.
When to visit Bwindi National Park
Now that you have insight about traveling to Bwindi by public bus, next you should understand when best to visit the park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is all year-round gorilla safari destination. Lying in South-western Uganda, Bwindi experiences two seasons (wet and dry season), however, the best season to explore the park is during the dry season.
The long dry season/months of the year start from June, July, and August, to September, while short dry months: December, January to February. These are also dubbed as peak months of the year and for any plans to visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking during these months, we encourage you to secure your gorilla permit in advance.
The low season/wet/rainy months of the year –these months or periods of the year can also be used to visit Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking. There are 2 phases of low season; long and short –these run from March, April to May and October to November.
Other wildlife in Bwindi besides mountain gorillas: Bwindi NP, home to 120 mammal species shelters other wildlife species DeBrazza monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys; side stripped jackals, bush pigs, duikers, buffaloes, chimpanzees, birds such as Kivu ground thrush, handsome francolins, strange weaver birds, red-throated athlete, Rwenzori batis, Narina trogons, broadbill and more.
Can I fly to Bwindi for gorilla trekking?
Flying to Bwindi for a gorilla tour is also possible and takes about 60 minutes to get there on normal weather conditions. Flights to Bwindi set off from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi airstrip –this is perfect for visitors with plans to track gorillas in Ruhija or Buhoma sectors while those who wish to explore the Southern sectors (Rushaga/Nkuringo) can fly to Kisoro airstrip. From these airstrips, you can be picked up and transferred to Bwindi gorilla park for a gorilla trek or birding/hiking tour. The transfer from the air-strips to the park is done in a 4×4 vehicle such as Toyota Land cruiser, Land Rover, or Nissan Patrol.