Where is Bwindi? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, about 500 km from Kampala, on the edge of the Albertine Rift close to the borders with DR Congo and Rwanda. You can reach it by road from Kampala or Entebbe in about 8 to 10 hours, by road from Kigali in about 4 to 5 hours, or by a short domestic flight followed by a road transfer.
This guide explains the Bwindi location, its four gates and sectors, and every way to get there, so you can plan the right route for your gorilla trek. For a full overview of the park, wildlife, permits and lodges, see our complete Bwindi Impenetrable Forest guide.
Bwindi location at a glance
- Country and region: southwestern Uganda, Kigezi highlands
- Districts: Kanungu, Kisoro and Rubanda
- Nearest towns: Kihihi, Butogota, Kisoro and Kabale
- From Kampala or Entebbe: about 500 km, 8 to 10 hours by road
- From Kigali, Rwanda: about 4 to 5 hours to the southern sectors
- Nearest airstrips: Kihihi (north) and Kisoro (south)
Where Is Bwindi National Park Located?
So, where is Bwindi exactly? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in the far southwest of Uganda, in the Kigezi highlands on the western edge of the Albertine Rift. It covers about 321 square kilometres of steep, forested hills and valleys, at altitudes from about 1,160 to 2,607 metres. The highest point is Rwamunyonyi Hill on the park's eastern edge.
Another way to answer "where is Bwindi?" is to look at what surrounds it:
- North: Queen Elizabeth National Park, with the Ishasha sector famous for tree-climbing lions about 2 to 3 hours away.
- West: the border with DR Congo.
- South: the Virunga volcanoes, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the border with Rwanda.
- East: Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa's deepest lakes, and the town of Kabale.
The forest is an island of wilderness surrounded by terraced farmland and villages, which makes the drive in especially scenic.
Bwindi GPS Coordinates and Map Location
On a map, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies roughly between latitudes 0°53' and 1°08' south and longitudes 29°35' and 29°50' east, just south of the Equator. The park is shaped a little like a rough triangle, with Buhoma at its northern tip, Ruhija on the eastern edge, and Rushaga and Nkuringo along the southern side.
If you are planning with Google Maps, search for the name of your sector, such as "Buhoma Bwindi" or "Rushaga Gorilla Camp", rather than the park itself. Google may otherwise send you to a point in the middle of the forest that no road reaches.
Where Is Bwindi's Gorilla Trekking? Sectors and Park Gates
Bwindi has four gorilla trekking sectors, each with its own gate and park office. They are several hours apart by road, and your gorilla permit is issued for one specific sector, so it is important to plan your route to the right one.
| Sector | Location | Nearest airstrip | Best approach |
| Buhoma | North | Kihihi | From Kampala, Queen Elizabeth NP |
| Ruhija | East | Kihihi | From Kampala via Kabale, or from Buhoma |
| Rushaga | South | Kisoro | From Kigali, Kabale or Lake Bunyonyi |
| Nkuringo | Southwest | Kisoro | From Kisoro or Kigali |
Not sure which sector to choose? Our Bwindi Impenetrable Forest guide compares all four.
How to Get to Bwindi by Road From Kampala
Driving is the most popular way to get to Bwindi. From Kampala or Entebbe, the journey takes about 8 to 10 hours, depending on your sector:
- To Buhoma (north): Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, then via Ntungamo and Rukungiri, or via Kabale and Kanungu, to Buhoma.
- To Ruhija (east): Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, then north to Ruhija.
- To Rushaga and Nkuringo (south): Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, then towards Kisoro.
The main highways are tarmac, but the last stretch to each sector is on murram roads that can be slippery after rain, so a 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended. The drive passes the Equator at Kayabwe, banana and tea plantations and green terraced hills, making it a highlight in its own right.
Many travellers break the journey with a night at Lake Mburo National Park, about 4 hours from Kampala, for a game drive or boat trip with zebras, impalas and hippos.
How Far Is Bwindi From Kampala and Other Places?
When people ask where is Bwindi, they usually also want to know how far it is. The distance to Bwindi depends on which sector you are visiting. These approximate distances and driving times will help you plan:
| From | To | Approx. distance | Approx. drive time |
| Kampala or Entebbe | Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo | 470 to 540 km | 8 to 10 hours |
| Kigali, Rwanda | Rushaga or Nkuringo | about 170 km | 4 to 5 hours |
| Kabale town | Ruhija | about 50 km | about 2 hours |
| Kisoro town | Rushaga or Nkuringo | 35 to 45 km | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Kihihi airstrip | Buhoma | about 40 km | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Lake Bunyonyi | Rushaga, Nkuringo or Ruhija | 50 to 80 km | 2 to 3 hours |
| Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth NP | Buhoma | about 65 km | 2 to 3 hours |
Drive times include the slower murram roads near the park. Allow extra time in the rainy season and for stops along the way.
How to Get to Bwindi From Other Parks
- From Queen Elizabeth National Park: about 2 to 3 hours from the Ishasha sector to Buhoma, or 4 to 5 hours from Mweya.
- From Kibale Forest National Park: about 6 to 7 hours, usually via Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- From Lake Mburo National Park: about 4 to 6 hours, depending on the sector.
- From Lake Bunyonyi: about 2 to 3 hours to Rushaga, Nkuringo or Ruhija.
How to Get to Bwindi by Air
Flying is the fastest way to get to Bwindi. Scheduled domestic flights leave daily from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield near Kampala:
- Kihihi airstrip: for Buhoma and Ruhija, with a road transfer of about 1.5 to 2 hours to Buhoma.
- Kisoro airstrip: for Rushaga and Nkuringo, with a road transfer of about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Flights take about 1 to 2 hours, depending on stops. Private charter flights can also be arranged for more flexible timing. Luggage limits on small aircraft are strict, usually around 15 kg in a soft bag, so pack light.
Tulambule arranges domestic flights as part of our fly-in safaris. Try our 4 Day Uganda Gorillas Flying Safari.
Getting to Bwindi From Kigali, Rwanda
Flying into Kigali is often the quickest way to reach Bwindi's southern sectors. The drive from Kigali to Rushaga or Nkuringo takes about 4 to 5 hours, crossing into Uganda at the Katuna (Gatuna) or Cyanika border posts.
This route makes a short gorilla safari possible. You can drive from Kigali to Bwindi on day one, trek gorillas on day two and return to Kigali that afternoon. A Uganda gorilla permit costs US$800, compared with US$1,500 in Rwanda, so many travellers save money this way. See our 2 day gorilla tour via Kigali.
Remember that you will cross a border, so you will need a valid Uganda visa or an East Africa Tourist Visa, as well as your yellow fever certificate. Starting from Kampala or Entebbe, the shortest practical gorilla trip by road is 3 days, as you need a night near the park before and after your trek.
Travelling Between Bwindi's Sectors
Bwindi's four sectors are close on a map but far apart by road, because the forest itself has no roads through it. Approximate drive times between sectors are:
- Buhoma to Ruhija: about 2 to 3 hours
- Ruhija to Rushaga: about 3 hours
- Rushaga to Nkuringo: about 1 to 1.5 hours
- Buhoma to Rushaga or Nkuringo: about 5 to 7 hours
Keen hikers can also walk between Buhoma and Nkuringo on the Ivy River Trail, a full-day forest hike, with a vehicle sent round by road to carry the luggage.
Because of these distances, always book your lodge in the same sector as your gorilla permit. If you have two permits in different sectors, plan a full travel day between them.
Nearest Towns: Fuel, Cash and Supplies
The areas around Bwindi are rural, with few shops and no banks right next to the park. Plan ahead:
- Kabale and Kisoro are the main towns for the southern and eastern sectors, with banks, ATMs, fuel stations, supermarkets and pharmacies.
- Kihihi and Butogota are the nearest small towns to Buhoma, with basic shops and fuel.
- Carry enough cash in Uganda shillings or clean, recent US dollar notes for porters, tips and crafts, as card payments are not accepted everywhere.
- Fill up with fuel in Kabale, Kisoro or Rukungiri before heading to the park.
Road Conditions and the Best Time to Drive to Bwindi
Knowing where is Bwindi on the map is only half the story; the roads matter too. The main roads from Kampala, Kigali, Kabale and Kisoro are paved and in good condition. The final stretch to each sector is on murram (dirt) roads that are steep, winding and can be slippery after rain.
The easiest time to drive is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. In the rainy months, roads stay open but can be muddy, so a 4x4 vehicle and an experienced driver make a big difference. Avoid driving at night, as the roads are unlit and narrow.
Tips for Arriving on Time for Your Gorilla Trek
- Arrive the day before: plan to reach your lodge the afternoon before your trek, so you are rested and close to the park office.
- Know your start time: the gorilla briefing starts at around 7:30 am at your sector's park office, so most guests leave their lodge between 6:30 and 7:00 am.
- Check your sector twice: make sure your permit, lodge and driver are all set for the same sector.
- Bring your passport: rangers check passports against permits at the briefing.
- Plan the day after: treks can last most of the day, so avoid booking a long drive or flight for the same afternoon.
Where Is Bwindi Compared With Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park?
Many travellers compare Bwindi with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the other main place to see mountain gorillas. Where is Bwindi in relation to it? The two parks are only about 30 to 60 km apart as the crow flies, separated by the border and the Virunga volcanoes.
Volcanoes National Park is closer to Kigali, about 2.5 hours by road, while Bwindi's southern sectors are about 4 to 5 hours from Kigali. The extra drive is often worth it: a Uganda gorilla permit costs US$800, compared with US$1,500 in Rwanda, and Bwindi has more gorilla families to choose from. You can compare both options in our gorilla permit prices guide.
Can I Get to Bwindi by Public Transport?
Yes, but it is slow and less comfortable. Daily buses run from Kampala to Kabale and Kisoro for the southern sectors, and to Kihihi and Butogota for Buhoma in the north. No public transport goes all the way to the park offices, so you will need a taxi or motorbike (boda boda) for the last stretch, and must arrive in time for the 7:30 am briefing on trekking day.
Keep a close eye on your luggage at bus parks. For safety, comfort and reliable timing, we recommend travelling with a private 4x4 and driver-guide. See our car hire in Uganda options, or our self drive safari in Uganda if you prefer to drive yourself.
Plan Your Journey to Bwindi With Tulambule
Getting to the right sector at the right time is the key to a smooth gorilla trek. Tulambule Uganda Safaris arranges permits, lodges, road transfers and domestic flights to Bwindi from Kampala, Entebbe and Kigali. Popular options:
- 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Tour
- 2 Day Gorilla Tour via Kigali
- All Bwindi gorilla tours and safaris
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