Public Transport To Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Is it possible to use public transport to Bwindi? Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is also known as the primate capital of the world located in the southwestern side of Uganda at the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and is next to Virunga National Park at the edge of the Albertine Rift. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park seats on an area of 340 sq. km of tropical forest and montane. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is a home of 120 mammal species, 230 species of butterflies, 340 species of birds, geckos, chameleons, and 30 species of frogs among others.

The national park has a forest that has more than 1000 species of plants these include 170 species of trees and 105 species of ferns which harbor more than half of the remaining gorilla population in the world. Apart from the mountain gorillas, the Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has a lot of wildlife such as primates like black and white colobus, De Brazza monkeys. L’hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, potto, baboons, galago, mammals like elephants, giant forest hogs, side stripped jackal, antelopes, African civet, duikers, buffaloes, and bush pigs, birds such as Rwenzori batis, tit hyalia, handsome francolin, strange weaver , strange weaver, chapin’s flycatcher, kivu ground thrush, dwarf honey guide, handsome francolin, and red throated athlete. The park is popular for its mountain gorillas which can be trekked in four sectors of the park namely Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija.

Mountain gorillas are endangered species of apes living in the sub-tropical and tropical rain forests of Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga national park of Uganda, Virunga national park of DR Congo, and volcanoes national park of Rwanda. Mountain gorillas manage to survive on higher elevations due to the thick and long fur on their bodies. Mountain gorillas are human closest relatives sharing 96% human DNA like chimpanzees and bonobos, they also have nose prints that differ each gorilla from the other just like human beings have their thumbprints.

Boarding public transport to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Tourists can use transport to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in southwestern Uganda from Kampala the capital city of Uganda, the park is an 8-9 hours drive from the city. When using public transport, you should know the gorilla sector you are to trek in mountain gorillas so that you use the right routes when going there. The easiest way to reach Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is using a trusted tour operator who will work on everything for you including the transportation.

Before using public transport to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, it better you know that there is no public vehicle that will drop you directly to the national park, the buses and min buses drop you at the nearby town and that’s where you will board a motorbike or hire another car to take you to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.

Those trekking mountain gorillas from the southern sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park where there are Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors, you need to take a bus passing via Mbarara to Kabale to Kisoro town. From Kisoro you can hire a taxi or motorbike to the national park or you can inquire from the lodge that you will be sleeping if they can pick you to and from Kisoro.

If you are going to track mountain gorillas from the Buhoma sector in the north and the Ruhija sector in the east of Bwindi then you will need to take a bus from Mbarara to Ntungamo to Rukungiri to Kihihi and then Butogota.

For those traveling using private transport, you can decide to pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park and get an opportunity of seeing tree-climbing lions. For those that want to use air transport, there are scheduled flights at Entebbe international airport and Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi airstrip in the southern sector of the park or Kisoro airstrip.

Driving to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park using road transport takes you 9-10 hours but the long journey can be rewarding with a lot to be seen in the countryside, for those who don’t like long journeys can drive to Rushaga or Nkuringo sector of Bwindi for 4-5 hours.

What is the best time to drive to Bwindi?

Yes after understanding the public transport means to Bwindi, you need to study the best time to visit the park. Uganda and Rwanda both experience an average temperature that is about 22 and these temperatures always drop at night to 12. Uganda’s rainfall levels are between 1000-2000mm per annum. But the region generally gives clear skies throughout the year enabling gorilla trekking throughout the year.

High season;

This normally happens in the months of June, July, August September, December, January, and February. During these months less rainfall is experienced as it’s overtaken by the sunshine.

January-February and June-September is the best period to do gorilla trekking both in Uganda and Rwanda. Although this period is termed as year-round up activities, these two countries during this period are always experiencing dry seasons hence enabling visitors to choose trekking in the dry season also known as the high seasons.

December is also another busy month. It’s the busiest month of the year based on the fact that the whole world is always off for Christmas holidays and year-end. Therefore, we strongly advise you to book your gorilla trekking permits as early as possible to avoid disappointments and for proper planning.

If you need the best gorilla trekking conditions with no worries about prices, the high season is the best for you. these countries Uganda and Rwanda have raised topography meaning the climate is fairly cool throughout the year, despite some serious walking/hiking that may result in feeling hot.

Low season;

Tourists who usually come in low season experience real adventure to the fullest. This is because, during the low season, there are always few people in the jungle. There are also price reductions in accommodation facilities since fewer tourists come into the country and lodges are in less demand in this season and there is always availability of gorilla and chimpanzee permits because of fewer tourists coming in.

While in rainy seasons you may incur some challenges in traveling both in Uganda and Rwanda, a day is never lost due to rains, surprisingly days have both rain and sunshine, this means that despite wetness and coldness its usually favorable for you to continue with your activities as stated in your itinerary whether it rains or not gorilla trekking is conducted daily as it has never been canceled due to the bad weather.