Taking your own adventure through the winding roads of western Uganda can be a lifetime experience as you look forward to engaging in the life-changing gorilla trekking experience. The roads and tracks there plus the 7 hours distance will demand for travel in 4X4 Uganda car hire for the ideal self-drive road trips to Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga Gorilla national park.
While planning for a Uganda gorilla safari adventure, keep it in mind that this kind of tour requires a high level of responsibility because of the process of preparation. In other words, making ready the things necessary for you to have a successful gorilla tour.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a vast park of high-altitude forested mountains, known for its thick vegetation, thick mists, streams and dew, endangered mountain gorillas and loud, colorful birds. Located in the southwest of Uganda, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country because of its famous gorilla treks. On a gorilla trek you go on a guided hike through the forest to find and spend an hour in the presence of a mountain gorilla family.
Full Day Journey
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is not one of those places you can visit in simply one day. If you are coming from Kampala or Entebbe; it will take you around 9 hours to transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. This means that anyone planning a short trip to Bwindi needs a minimum of 3 days at their disposal.
You cannot travel to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in just two days unless you are not going to do any activity. Therefore; for someone consider any kind of visit to Bwindi but only has two days at their disposal will have to consider connecting through Kigali Rwanda instead of Kampala.
With Uganda-Rwanda borders open; you can now use Kigali international airport for your arrival. Then drive to a lodge near or in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park; trek with the gorillas the following day. After your tracking, you can transfer to other destinations in Western Uganda and then fly out from Entebbe Airport.
Therefore, you will have to stick with a full transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. But if you have enough time at your disposal, you can make a few stops instead of driving straight to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Recommended Stops
There are a few places that are recommended to include or consider for your Bwindi itinerary. Many people have considered Igongo cultural center in Mbarara, Lake Mburo National Park, as well as a stop at the Equator.
Instead of driving straight to Bwindi, you can have a break at the Equator before proceeding for your overnight at Lake Mburo national park. Then it recommended you explore part of lake Mburo national park in a day or two before proceeding to Igongo cultural center and then continuing to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
If you are coming from Kigali, you can choose to stop over for activities in Volcanoes national park and then proceed to Bwindi impenetrable national park via the Cyanika border.
What is the drive time from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Kigali city and Kigali International Airport is the major city/Airport that is very close to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. You can arrange in the morning at the Airport in Kigali and by afternoon you are in Bwindi impenetrable National Park. The drive time is only 4-5 hours from Kigali into Uganda and custom clearance can take less an hour in case of few travelers at the borders.
Driving to Bwindi impenetrable National Park from Entebbe?
The Kampala-Mbarara-Kabale highway road to Bwindi is not world class but Tarmacked and smooth and it is approximately 9-10 hours’ drive to Bwindi impenetrable National Park from Entebbe, the drive is long but enjoyable as there is a lot to see. The roads leading to any the sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are Marum roads reason we emphasize the use of 4X4 as they are slippery and stuck with mud during the rainy season.
Southwestern Uganda is so hilly and the roads are curving on hills with beautiful scenery. Our driver-guides are very equipped with driving skills and very professional for your safety and comfort to reach your dream destination.
Recommended Car
In case you are driving straight to Bwindi, any off-road car can handle the terrain as long as it’s a 4X4. Whether it is as small as a 3 door Rav4, or a 5 door Rav4; if all you need is visiting Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, even the small off-roaders can also be used for this trip.
Landcruiser’s with rooftop tents
In the case of an exceptional camping experience, the Land cruisers are recommended because of the rooftop tent camping experience in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. There are a number of lodges and campsites within the national park to help you pull off this special camping experience. Each of the tracking sectors in this national park has a campsite where you can have your car with a rooftop tent.
Securing Gorilla Trekking Permits
When you choose to rent a car with Self-Drive Uganda Limited, we will be able to book/ purchase for you a gorilla trekking permit on your behalf at no extra cost so that by the time you get into the country, you head straight to the park and have a close look at these endangered species.
In the low seasons such as November and April; it is possible to organize your gorilla trekking permits on ground. However, it is recommended you book your gorilla trekking permits a few months before the gorilla trekking date.
Where to stay in Bwindi impenetrable national park?
The accommodation in Bwindi impenetrable national park is sorted for those in need of luxury, mid-range, and budget services. Those planning for Uganda self-guided tour should not worry about where to spend the night but rather choose from the many accommodation facilities. When choosing the accommodation, take note of your tracking permit sector. We would advise you to book a hotel close to your tracking sector to avoid missing out or going through the burden of early morning traveling to reach the park headquarters. Uniquely explore the home to the popular gentle creatures (mountain gorillas) on your own.