Taking Public Transport to Bwindi – Taking public transport is one of the budget-friendly gorilla trekking tips in Uganda; however, it requires tourists to be familiar with the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Public transport is the cheapest way to reach Bwindi, and tourists can head to the bus park in Kampala city to book their bus ticket.
However, tourists should note that there are no buses that go directly to the park. Buses drop off tourists in nearby towns like Kisoro, Kabale, or Butogota, and from there, tourists can book a motorcycle or hire a car to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Tourists using public transport will travel by bus from Kampala through Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro town, and then proceed to the park.
The overall journey from Kampala to Bwindi by bus takes about 9 to 10 hours, covering a distance of 550 km.
Cost of Bus Ticket
A bus ticket from Kampala to Kisoro or Kabale ranges from USD 10 to 30 per person.
Some of the Bus Companies That Operate From Kampala to Kisoro or Kabale
- Jaguar Buses
- Bismarkan Coaches
- Horizon Coaches
- Post Bus
- Trinity Bus
- Modern Coast
About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is the major destination for gorilla trekking worldwide. The park borders the Democratic Republic of Congo at the edge of the Albertine Rift, covering an area of about 321 square kilometers.
Bwindi comprises both tropical and montane forests, home to 120 mammal species, 220 butterfly species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of frogs, geckos, and chameleons, among others.
The park also contains over 1,000 plant species, including 17 tree species and 105 fern species, where the mountain gorillas reside.
Other primates in the park include black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, and more.
Mammals include elephants, giant forest hogs, side-striped jackals, antelopes, African civets, duikers, buffaloes, and bush pigs.
Bird species in the park include Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, strange weaver, Kivu ground thrush, dwarf honeyguide, and red-throated alethe.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into four sectors available for trekking: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija.
The park is located at elevations ranging from 1,190m to 2,507m in the Kigezi Highlands. It experiences a tropical climate characterized by heavy rainfall, ranging from 1,400mm to 1,900mm, and an annual mean temperature between 7°C to 15°C minimum and 20°C to 27°C maximum.
The park is governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the body in charge of tourism activities within the park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was established as a national park in 1991 to protect the endangered mountain gorillas.
The park is home to over 459 individuals, nearly half of the remaining wild population. Some of the gorilla families include Mubare, Habinyanja, Nkuringo, Christmas, Rushegura, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, Mishaya, and Nshongi.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Bwindi is during the dry season when the trails are dry, making movement easier. The dry months are from June to August and December to February.
In conclusion, taking public transport enables tourists to cut costs for their entire gorilla safari in Bwindi.
