Kisoro Airstrip is located in Kisoro District, in the southwestern part of Uganda, bordering Kabale, Kanungu, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The airstrip provides the easiest way to access the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
If you prefer to avoid long road trips during your Uganda safari, you should consider taking domestic flights. Explore our Uganda safaris to see how a stop here could fit into your route.
About Kisoro Airstrip
Kisoro Airstrip was established to make it easier for travelers to access southwestern Uganda. It is the most convenient airstrip for reaching the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The airstrip is approximately 343 kilometers from Entebbe International Airport.
Although Kisoro Airstrip currently does not operate international flights, there are plans to upgrade it into an international airport, making it easier for tourists to access the parks directly from abroad.
Getting to Kisoro Airstrip
Kisoro Airstrip can be accessed by air from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield using domestic flights. These flights typically depart from Entebbe early in the morning or mid-morning, taking 1 to 2 hours to reach the airstrip. From Kisoro Airstrip, you will need to drive about an hour to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and approximately two hours to reach the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. There are 15 gorilla groups in Bwindi that tourists can trek across four different sectors: Nkuringo, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Rushaga.
Bwindi also offers gorilla habituation experiences, allowing tourists to spend more time with gorillas than during standard gorilla trekking.
The park is home to 350 recorded bird species, 23 of which are endemic, as well as 324 tree species, 200 butterfly species, and over 400 different plant species.
Flights to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, covering about 33 square kilometers. Despite its small size, Mgahinga is home to three of the Virunga Volcanoes: Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Gahinga.
The slopes of these volcanoes are inhabited by mountain gorillas. Tourists can trek one habituated gorilla family in the park, known as the Nyakagezi gorilla family.
Golden monkey trekking is another unique and exciting activity in Mgahinga.
Volcano climbing is also possible on any of the three volcanoes. Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo can only be hiked from the Ugandan side. At the peak of Mount Sabyinyo, you can stand in three countries, Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, simultaneously.
Why Fly Into Kisoro Airstrip
For travelers on a tight schedule, flying into Kisoro Airstrip cuts what would otherwise be a long, multi-hour road journey down to a short domestic flight followed by a manageable drive to either park. This makes it an especially practical option for visitors combining gorilla trekking with other parts of Uganda, or with an onward trip into Rwanda, since Kisoro’s location near both borders keeps overland connections short in every direction.
