Distance And Drive Time To Bwindi From Kigali

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of the top gorilla trekking destinations is found in the western side of Uganda close to the Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo border. This 331-square-kilometer-Protected Area is home to almost half the World’s remaining population of endangered mountain gorillas.

Entebbe (the gateway into the country) and Kampala (the Capital City of Uganda) are over 500 kilometers by road/8-9 hours’ drive to Bwindi, which seems challenging and hectic for many travelers in all senses. Why would someone have to drive all those many hours to a particular destination yet there are many other options? Well, firstly, Bwindi has the highest number of mountain gorillas thus more habituated gorilla groups for trekking. Secondly, Uganda’s gorilla permits are way cheaper than they are in Rwanda thus budget travelers would prefer Uganda to achieve their gorilla trekking dream.

Reaching Bwindi from Kigali, via the Katuna border

The distance from Kigali to Katuna/Gatuna border is about 80 kilometers and it will take about 2 hours’ drive to get there. Would have been less but due to the strict speed limit in Rwanda, it will take 2 hours. On getting to the border point, you will need at least one hour to clear with customs and immigration. The distance/driving time from Katuna/Gatuna to Bwindi will largely depend on the sector you are driving to.

Distance/drive time from Katuna/Gatuna to Northern Bwindi (Buhoma sector)

It takes 117 kilometers/3-4 hours’ drive of off-road driving to get to the Northern sector of Buhoma from the Katuna border.

Distance/drive time from Katuna/Gatuna to Eastern Bwindi (Ruhija sector)

Ruhija is the closest sector from the Katuna/Gatuna border point, about 2 hour’s drive only thus you will take a total of 5 hours (2 hours from Kigali, one hour for customs and immigration procedure, then 2 hours to Ruhija).

Distance/drive time from Katuna/Gatuna to Southern Bwindi (Rushaga sector)

With a distance of 90 kilometers, it takes about two and a half hours from the border point to the Rushaga sector and involves driving along the Kabale-Kisoro highway.

Distance/drive time from Katuna/Gatuna to southern Bwindi (Nkuringo sector).

Nkuringo sector is over 106 kilometers/three and a half hours drive from Katuna/Gatuna border along the Kabale-Kisoro road.

Reaching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from the Cyanika border

Cyanika is another main border crossing between southern Uganda and Northern Rwanda hence another preferred entry point for travelers from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking. This border point is about 119 kilometers/3 hours drive from Kigali, and like Katuna, the drive time to Bwindi depends on the sector you plan on visiting.

Distance/drive time from Cyanika to northern Bwindi (Buhoma sector).

Buhoma is the farthest of all the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and it is 128 kilometers/4 and a half hours’ drive from Cyanika border. Buhoma has always been the most popular sector, having received its first gorilla trekkers in 1993 with the Mubare gorilla family being the pioneer of gorilla tourism. In total, you will drive over 7 hours from Kigali to the Buhoma sector.

Distance/drive time from Cyanika to Ruhija sector

The Ruhija sector of Bwindi is only about 80 kilometers/two and a half hours’ drive from the Cyanika border, involving driving on paved roads in the first sections of the drive, followed by off-road driving in the last sections thus 4WD Vehicle is recommended.

Distance/drive time from Cyanika to the southern sectors (Rushaga and Nkuringo)

The southern sectors of Nkuringo and Rushaga are the most accessible from the Cyanika border. They are both 43 kilometers/one and a half hours of off-road driving hence 4X4 vehicle is required.