Best Ways to Get from Kigali to Bwindi National Park.

How to travel from Kigali to Bwindi National Park?  Travelling from Rwanda to Bwindi national park requires tourists to pass through two border namely Cyanika border and Gatuna border. The Gatuna border takes about 2 hours from Kigali international airport and a one hour drive from the border to Bwindi national park. The Cyanika border takes about 3 hours from Kigali international airport and from the border to Bwindi national park takes about one hour. These borders are in the south of Bwindi national park and the nearest sectors are Nkuringo and Rushaga sector.

Border crossing information

The Gatuna border is between Uganda and Rwanda in the KabaleHow to Get to Bwindi from Kigali Easily district. Gatuna is an 80km drive from Kigali international airport and 32km from Lake Bunyonyi. Tourists crossing the border travel for gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park and canoeing activities at Lake Bunyonyi. It is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, where tourists can access the border for their trekking safari.

Tourists that prefer traveling from Uganda to Rwanda for the trekking tours at Volcanoes National Park can pass through this border. This trip passes through Kigali city via the Musanze district to the northern part of Rwanda.

Immigration procedures for Gatuna border

Uganda and Rwanda hired immigration officers at the border. Personal documents are required when crossing this border, which include the passport and national ID for East African citizens, requiring less time when verifying the documents. If a visa is recommended at the border, tourists should move with USD to prevent further delays. Credit cards are not accepted at the border.

Cyanika border crossing

This border is between Uganda and Rwanda. It is mostly used by travelers, tourists, and traders. In Uganda, it is located in the Kisoro district that connects both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. It is mostly used by tourists to cross for their trekking safaris. This border best serves tourists that are visiting the southern part of Bwindi National Park, especially the Rushaga sector.

Immigration procedures

Before crossing the border, tourists need to show their documentation. You will need to present the passport or National ID for identification. Tourists should have valid visas that allow them to enter and stay in the country. After verifying your documents, you will be asked questions for your visit and then given a stamp to proceed with your journey.

The East African Tourist Visa only applies for tourists that are visiting more than one country in the East African community. This was done to avoid the high costs charged moving from one country to another for tourism.

This border does not open 24/7. It opens at 6 am in Ugandan time and opens at 5 am in Rwandan time; therefore, tourists who would love to cross this border should travel in this time range.

Purchasing permits in Rwanda for gorilla trekking costs $1,500 for foreign non-residents and $1,000 for foreign residents, whereas in Uganda, gorilla permits cost $800 for foreign non-residents and $700 for foreign residents.

Upon arrival at Kigali airport, tourists are driven to Uganda via the Cyanika border for their gorilla trekking safari and after depart to Kigali. This takes about 3 to 4 hours, unlike in Uganda, which takes about 8 to 9 hours.

Bwindi Entry points and sectors

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four sectors, namely, Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

Buhoma sector

This sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi National Park in Kanungu District. This sector is the most toured sector, and gorilla trekking permits get sold out quickly. It is most known because it inhabits the first habituated gorilla family in Bwindi, called the Mubare family. It mostly favors first-time tourists because it is easily accessed and the terrain of this sector is less challenging. In this sector tourists can engage in various activities like bird watching, cultural tours, among others. Accommodation facilities where you can stay in Buhoma include Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Volcano Lodge, Bwindi Guest House, among others.

Ruhija sector

This sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi. Besides gorilla trekking, this sector provides various tour activities, like visiting the Batwa people, community tours, and bird watching, among others. This sector is the best for bird lovers, where they spot different bird species. For easy views, tourists are advised to carry binoculars to have clear photos of the birds. This sector provides accommodation facilities for tourists who travel from Kigali, which include Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, among others.

Nkuringo sector

This sector is found in the southern part of Bwindi, and it can easily be accessed through the Gatuna border. It is known for being the first sector to give birth to twin gorillas. Nkuringo is known for having physically challenging treks due to the high altitude and steep terrain of the park. It offers various activities like birding, hiking, and visiting the local people, among others.

Rushaga sector

This sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi, and the nearest border is the Cynika border. The Rushaga sector is best known for habituation, where tourists spend four hours with the mountain gorillas. Only this sector on a Uganda safari offers the gorilla habituation experience. It provides accommodation facilities like Clouds Mountain Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, among others.

How to book for a gorilla trekking permit

Tourists can book trekking permits through a licensed tour operator. These permits are always available, but during the peak season of Bwindi National Park, permits tend to be competitive and get sold out quickly compared to the wet season. Tourists should check the history of the tour operator before purchasing a gorilla permit.

How much does a gorilla permit cost?

Tourists are advised to book their gorilla permit 3 to 6 months early for further preparations. A gorilla permit is a ticket that allows visitors to see the mountain gorillas. These permits are usually competitive in the months of June to August and from December to February. A gorilla trekking permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. These permits allow tourists to view the mountain gorillas for one hour.