Can I Fly To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park For Gorilla Trekking

Yes, it is very possible to fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking while on Uganda safari holiday. The flights can be arranged from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) or Kajjansi Airfield Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for any holidaymaker who is interested in gorilla flying safaris.

Flights to Bwindi like most Uganda safari destinations are very safe and secure for all Uganda safari travelers on gorilla trekking tours or birding safaris. If you are looking for that one safe and secure gorilla destination to visit for gorilla trekking in East Africa or Africa then you have a million reasons to spend your holiday in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP).

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda, home to half of the planet’s 1063 mountain gorillas is one of the safest gorilla safari destinations in Africa. The park is accessible not only by road but also using domestic or internal flight services offered from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) and Kajjansi Airfield in Kampala. This option saves holidaymakers on gorilla safari to Bwindi from spending long hours on the road, estimated to be about 8-10 hours’ drive starting from Entebbe or Kampala. The beauty about internal/domestic flights or gorilla flying safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is that holidaymakers can spend about 1 to 2 hours getting to Southwestern Uganda.

Internal flights from Entebbe Airport/Kajjansi airfield to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

All gorilla flying safaris/domestic flights from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda first land in at the nearby airstrips, located about 1-2 hours from the park. Kisoro and Kihihi airstrips are the 2 airstrips that neighbor Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the 2 best mountain gorilla destinations in Uganda. The two (2) airstrips are strategically positioned in areas where you can easily access the 4 gorilla trekking regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga). If your plan is to go to track mountain gorillas in the Southern sectors of Bwindi (Nkuringo & Rushaga), then gorilla flying safaris can be arranged from Entebbe/Kajjansi to Kisoro airstrip. For holidaymakers who are interested in gorilla trekking experience in the Northern and Eastern sectors of Bwindi, it is possible to plan for a gorilla flying tour from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi to Kihihi airstrip.

The notable flight operators from Entebbe airport to Kihihi/Kisoro include Aerolink Uganda and from Kajjansi airfield, flights can be arranged by Eagle Air.

Kihihi Airstrip & Flights to Bwindi (Entebbe to Kihihi)

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Lying suitably in Southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one beautiful destination every enthusiastic primate lover should consider a must-visit in Africa. The 331sq. km rainforest conservation area straddles at nearby the Uganda border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was founded as a national park in 1991 and presently, protects over 459 of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas. The park has a composition of 4 gorilla trekking regions; Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo regions. Each region has habituated families which make up a total of about 20 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) alone making it one of the most preferred gorilla trekking destinations in Africa.

Things to do and see when you fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi National Park is blessed with biodiversity and several thrilling experiences for everyone on Uganda safari to see, enjoy and experience. Here are a few most interesting things you should expect to see and do when you fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a holiday;

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking is undoubtedly the main reason the majority of holidaymakers on Uganda safari take flights from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is the leading safari experience that attracts most visitors and the primary reason is to see the endangered mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat. Trekking with mountain gorillas offers holidaymakers a lifetime experience in the wild.
While on gorilla flying safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, trekking mountain gorillas is done in Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija regions. But anyone on a gorilla flying holiday must have a valid gorilla permit that can be bought at US Dollars 700 for foreign non-residents, US $600, and shs. 250,000 for Ugandans plus Citizens in East Africa Community.

Kajjansi airfield to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Habituation Experience

Gorilla Habituation Experience offers an extraordinary alternative for holidaymakers to see mountain gorillas in the wild. Unlike when you travel for a normal gorilla trek, visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Gorilla Habituation Experience lets you enjoy 4 hours face to face with mountain gorillas during a half-day or whole-day trek.
During gorilla habituation, visitors are accompanied by researchers, and trackers to monitor daily how they feed, groom, communicate, move, mate, and a lot more till when they make new nests and retire for the night. A gorilla habituation permit is obtainable by holidaymakers on gorilla flying safaris at US Dollars 1500 per person.

Birding

A total of about 360 bird species are sheltered within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and they include mostly the Albertine Rift endemic bird species. The various avifaunal species to keep an eye on while on a birding holiday tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Short-tailed warblers, Archer’s robin-chat, and African green broadbill, Rwenzori nightjars, Handsome francolin, regal sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, stripe breasted tit, collared Apalis and others.

Batwa cultural encounter/experience

The Batwa pygmies once inhabited within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest before they were displaced to allow it to be gazetted as a national park in 1991. They are known for their unique cultures, and traditional practices especially being hunters and gatherers a lifestyle they had for over 500000 years yet also lived harmoniously with mountain gorillas. Visiting the Batwa community today presents a great opportunity for holidaymakers to have insight into the Batwa pygmies’ unique cultures, hunting and gathering techniques, dances, music performances, and a lot more.

Other activities include forest walks-ushering you into the park’s dense rainforest to look out for numerous species of animals including monkeys, birds; flora, butterflies, and others. Cycling or biking experience offered by Ride 4 a Woman, a community project in Buhoma Community.

Where to stay

• Budget accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Gift of Nature Lodge/Bwindi Backpackers Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp.
• Mid-range accommodation: Nkuringo Gorilla Camp/Engagi Lodge Bwindi/Gorilla Valley Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
• Luxury accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Forest Camp/Bwindi Clouds Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge.