What is the drive time to Bwindi? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, spanning the districts of Kisoro, Kabale, and Kanungu. The park lies on the edge of the Albertine Rift, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. It covers an area of about 321 sq km and includes both lowland and montane forests.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was established as a national park in 1991 to protect the endangered mountain gorillas, which were facing extinction due to habitat destruction, diseases, and poaching.
The drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park depends on the point of departure and the condition of the roads.
From Entebbe/Kampala
The journey from Entebbe/Kampala takes approximately 9 to 10 hours to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Along the way, tourists will encounter beautiful scenery, including vegetation, rivers, escarpments, and hills before reaching the home of the great apes.
These tourist attractions along the route make the journey enjoyable and a part of the tourism experience. The distance from Kampala to Bwindi is about 550 km.
From Queen Elizabeth National Park
The journey from Queen Elizabeth National Park takes approximately 5 to 6 hours to reach Bwindi.
Tourists will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, go through Kihihi town, and then connect to the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Alternatively, tourists can pass through Ishaka, head to Rukungiri, continue to Nengo, then Kihihi, and finally reach the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
From Lake Mburo National Park
The journey from Lake Mburo National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes approximately 6 to 7 hours.
Tourists can take a break at Lake Mburo to relax and spot some wildlife species, such as giraffes and leopards, before continuing to Bwindi.
This stopover is preferred, especially by those coming from Entebbe/Kampala, to shorten the long journey.
From Kigali, Rwanda
Tourists traveling from Rwanda can use either the Katuna border, which takes about 2 to 3 hours, or the Cyanika border, which takes about 3 to 4 hours.
The distance from Kigali to Bwindi is about 80 km, and tourists should ensure they have all the necessary documentation for border crossing.
Best Time to Drive to Bwindi
The best time to drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is during the dry season, as the roads are not muddy due to reduced rainfall, ensuring safer travel to the home of the endangered mountain gorillas.
Additionally, the steep slopes in Bwindi are dry, facilitating easier movement.
The dry months are June to September and December to February.
The drive time to Bwindi may be long, but the scenic attractions along the way make a gorilla safari in Uganda an interesting and memorable experience.
