Tourists can use public transport to travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. They can also travel from Kigali to Bwindi National Park by stopping in Kabale and then connecting to Bwindi from there. Using public transport is one of the most recommended budget tips for gorilla trekking.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, also called the primate capital of the world, is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. It is one of the four national parks where you can trek mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of apes that live in the subtropical and tropical rainforests of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They survive at high elevations due to their long and thick fur.
Mountain gorillas share 95% of their DNA with humans, making them close relatives, like bonobos and chimpanzees. They also have unique nose prints, similar to humans having unique thumbprints.
Taking Public Transport to Bwindi
Tourists can use public transport to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kampala. The park is divided into four sectors: Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo sectors.
When using public transport, it is important to know about the four sectors so you can choose the right means of transport. The easiest way is to use a travel company that can arrange transportation to and from the park, as well as accommodation.
Before choosing public transport, it is important to note that there are no buses that go directly to the park. Buses will drop you off in nearby towns, and from there, you will need to hire a motorbike or car to reach Bwindi National Park.
If you are trekking gorillas in the southern sector of Bwindi, take a bus that passes through Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro town. From Kisoro town, you can hire a motorbike or car to get to the park.
Alternatively, you can check with the lodge where you are staying to see if they can provide transportation to and from the park.
If you are trekking gorillas in the Buhoma or Ruhija sectors, take a bus that goes through Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kihihi, and finally to Butogota. For those using private transport, you can drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and possibly see tree-climbing lions.
Aerolink Uganda also organizes daily flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airstrip in the southern sector or Kisoro Airstrip near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The total journey to Bwindi National Park using public transport takes about 8-10 hours. The long trip can be interesting, with many sights to see in the countryside.
For those who prefer shorter journeys, you can fly to Rwanda and drive to the Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi, which takes about 4-5 hours.
The best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to September or December to February. During these months, the roads leading to the park are in better condition, and the trekking trails are less slippery and wet.
