Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Map.

Map of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: The Bwindi park is located just outside of Kampala in southwestern Uganda, at the junction between the plains and mountain forests. Spanning a total area of 32,000 acres, Bwindi Park is known for its exceptional biodiversity, having more than 160 plant species and more than 100 fern species. Bwindi is the prime location for birdwatchers.

It’s 348 bird species, including 7 that are IUCN red data listed and most of all Albertine rift endemic species that are hard or impossible to see in some other parts of East Africa, that can all be found. A more experienced bird watcher can simply identify up to 100 species in a single day. The most sought-after activity in Bwindi is gorilla tracking.

The park has about 14 habituated gorilla groups that can be tracked in four different sectors of Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija. Additionally, the primates inhabiting this impenetrable forest are so many; in fact, it is the home to half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas. There are over 400 mountain gorillas recorded to be in the park as of the May 2018 census conducted.

Location of Bwindi Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, nestled amidst the green slopes of Kigezi. Bwindi is located in a region that is known as the Gorilla Highland. The park is located over three districts: Kanungu, Rubanda, and Kisoro districts. The park stands at a refreshing altitude of 1900 m and is located in a region between Ishasha and the north of Kisoro. The park rolls eastward from the Albertine Rift escarpment and covers over 331 sq kms. The nearest main town is Kabale, 29 km by road to the southeast.

The park is located along the Rwandan and Congolese borders. The impenetrable forest is located within fertile and scenic highlands that are arguably one of the most picturesque parts of Uganda. The area is characterized by steep slopes that are covered in terraced cultivation, expansive blue lakes, and magnificent volcanoes that roll over the Virunga region.

The park covers 331 square kilometers. The park is situated within the districts of Kanungu, Rubanda, Kabale, and Kisoro. The nearest towns are Kanungu or Kihihi in the north (Buhoma), Kisoro in the south, and Kabale in the east.

Trail heads to Bwindi

Tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park focuses on four separate locations: Buhoma in the southwest, Ruhija in the east of Bwindi, Nkuringo in the southwest, and Rushaga in the southwestern part of Bwindi. Each of these trailheads is the base for Uganda gorilla trekking as well as other activities. Each sector is self-standing and well served with several lodges and campsites.

It is important to know that trailheads can be reached by a different approach road from other locations. Therefore, the park is divided into four sectors corresponding to the above-mentioned four locations, which are dealt with in a clockwise direction starting with Buhoma, the pioneer trailhead for gorilla tourism in Uganda.

The Buhoma sector is not only the pioneer sector but also the most directly accessed trailhead from Kampala. It is important to note that its gorilla permits sell out very fast due to the existence of luxurious safari lodges.

From Kigali, Rwanda, the easiest locations to reach are the Rushaga sector via the Cyanika border and the Ruhija sector via the Katuna sector.

Getting to the park

There are several ways of accessing Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park through charter flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi town, which links up to the Buhoma sector, or Kisoro airstrip, which links up to the Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga sectors. Visitors to Bwindi can also take flights from Kajjansi Airfield.

On the road, one can take the Kampala–Kabale–Ruhija route or the Kampala–Ntungamo–Rukungiri–Kihihi–Buhoma/Nyondo route. Alternatively, tourists can take the Kampala–Kabale–Kisoro–Rushaga/Nkuringo route.

Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma

This route has travelers setting off from Kampala and driving all the way through Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Kanungu and connecting to Bwindi in the Buhoma sector. This route covers a distance of 414 km, making it the longest yet most enjoyable and rewarding route, as travelers additionally experience the beautiful scenery of rolling hills and the ever-warm, receptive Ugandans.

Upon reaching Kanungu, tourists embark on a road through Kanyantorogo, covering a total distance of 120 km to reach Buhoma. A 4WD car is the best option for travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Kampala – Kabale – Ruhija – Buhoma

This route covers an area of about 95 km on the Marram Road, and it takes about 3-4 hours. The only vehicle that can best pass through Ruhija is a 4WD.

Here, a direct drive is to Kabale town, connecting to Ruhija in the eastern part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The drive on a Uganda safari from Kabale to Ruhija is through local communities and local farms, making it very experiential for the travelers.

Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Buhoma

This is the quickest route to Bwindi. When setting off from Kampala, travelers drive up to Ntungamo, where they branch off the highway connecting to a road to Rukungiri and through Kihihi, covering a total distance of roughly 390 km.

Kampala-Kabale-Nkuringo route

This route takes a distance of about 105 km from Kabale town, which is approximately 4 hours to get travelers through the mountainous, bumpy road to Nkuringo via local communities. Some people choose to make sleepovers in Kisoro town before embarking on to Nkuringo, which is 80 km from Kisoro.

Travelers who would like to experience Uganda differently can travel to Bwindi by the use of public means of transport. Buses set off from Kampala to Butogota via Rukungiri and Kihihi. Thereafter, tourists may get a taxi that can be gotten for the last 17 km distance to Buhoma. Nkuringo has no public means of transportation going all the way; it is advisable to hire a vehicle from Kisoro.

Whichever way you choose to get to Bwindi, trust that you will reach it and enjoy the experience; if gorilla tracking is your reason for the long drive or extra cash for a chartered flight, it will always be worth it.