Kihihi Airstrip, also known as Savannah Airstrip, is located in a small town called Kihihi in the southwestern part of Uganda, within Kanungu District.
Domestic flights can be taken from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airstrip, especially for travelers planning to visit Bwindi.
Why Travelers Fly to Kihihi Airstrip
Kihihi Airstrip allows tourists using air transport to easily connect to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The airstrip is very close to the Buhoma sector of Bwindi, where visitors can trek endangered mountain gorillas.
The primary reason people fly to Kihihi Airstrip is to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.
Visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kihihi
You can also fly to Kihihi Airstrip to visit the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, or drive through this sector on your way to the busier parts of the park. The Ishasha sector is famous for its tree-climbing lions, found in very few places in the world, including Lake Manyara in Tanzania.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited destination. The park is home to over 600 species of birds, making it a paradise for bird watchers. It also features a variety of animals, including elephants, warthogs, leopards, bushbucks, hippos, crocodiles, and more. Visitors can also experience chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, located in the park’s Kyambura sector.
Getting to Kihihi: Road vs. Air
Reaching Bwindi by road takes about 9 to 10 hours. For adventurous travelers, this is an excellent option, as it provides wide views of Ugandan towns and wildlife along the way. Traveling by air takes only 1 to 2 hours, offering striking views and is often preferred by luxury travelers.
Planning Your Route Through Kihihi
For travelers looking to combine gorilla trekking with a broader wildlife safari, Kihihi Airstrip’s location makes it easy to link Bwindi’s Buhoma sector with a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector, either as a scenic road stop or a quick flight connection. This flexibility makes Kihihi a practical choice whether you’re prioritizing speed with a domestic flight or want the slower, more immersive experience of driving between Uganda’s most popular parks.
