Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is not only accessible by road but also by air. This is possible through the fly-in gorilla safaris which your reliable and trusted tour operator can organize. Bwindi is lying in the extreme Southwestern part of Uganda and covers parts of Kanungu, Kabale, Rukungiri and Kisoro Districts.
All flights to Bwindi operate starting from Entebbe International Airport (EBB)/Kajjansi Airfield and visitors land at the nearby airstrips. The available airstrips offer easier access to the different gorilla trekking regions –Ruhija in the East, Buhoma to the North and Rushaga plus Nkuringo sectors in the Southern region.
The nearby airstrips to Bwindi National Park include Kihihi and Kisoro. Kihihi and Kisoro airstrips are suitably located offering easy access to all regions in Bwindi N/Park.
Kihihi Airstrip (Savanna Airstrip)
Kihihi Airstrip KHX is small in size and is found in Kanungu District. It is a convenient entry point for tourists to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, especially while on fly-in gorilla tours. Many charter and scheduled flights do operate from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi Airstrip.
From Kihihi Airstrip, it is easier to get to the Northern sector of Bwindi that is Buhoma sector and even the Eastern region –Ruhija. Flying to Kihihi from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to Kihihi is a perfect way to save on your time because a road trip can require you to spend over 8-9 hours. By air, this can be narrowed up to about 2 hours.
Visiting Ruhija region from Kihihi is a great opportunity for you to trek any of the fully habituated gorilla groups. They include Kyaguriro, Bitukura group, Oruzogo gorilla group, Mukiza and others. In Buhoma sector, embark on a journey to explore gorilla groups like Katwe group, Rushegura, Mubare and Habinyanja family group.
From Savanna/Kihihi Airstrip, visitors can also connect up to the Savannah Resort in Western Uganda. Due to its ideal location, guests stand a chance to explore the natural wonders of Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its rare tree climbing lions.
Over 95 mammal species freely roam in Queen Elizabeth National Park, 620 species of birds, and features myriad of scenic Crater Lakes. And in addition to the tree climbing lions, the other wildlife to expect encountering in this savanna parks include elephants, cape buffaloes, leopards, and antelopes like bush bucks, waterbucks, topis, Uganda Kobs and others.
Kisoro Airstrip
Kisoro Airstrip is set in Kisoro District, Southwestern Uganda. It is also nearby Kanungu and Kabale Districts. Considering its strategic location to Kisoro, Kisoro Airstrip is the best place to connect to the Southern gorilla trekking sectors and also to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are the two main areas to access starting from Kisoro Airstrip. The gorilla families to track from Rushaga region include Bweza, Busingye, Nshongi, Mishaya gorilla family, Kutu group, Mucunguzi group, and in Nkuringo, expect to explore gorilla families such as Bushaho gorilla group, Nkuringo group, and Posho and Christmas family.
Entebbe to Bwindi flight time
The flight time from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi may vary but guests will be informed of the changes. You can take off in the morning and spend about 2 -3 hours which come with aerial views of the countryside. The flights are operated by Aerolink Uganda.
Lodges to stay
Once you have thought about a gorilla tour in Bwindi, consider booking accommodation facilities too. In and around the park, there are budget, midrange and luxury accommodation options to book for a night stay. They include Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, etc.