Tour Guide, Kampala, Uganda
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By road, Bwindi can be reached from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the north (2-3 hours), from kabale to the south (1-2 hours), or from Kampala via mbarara (6-8 hours). The roads meet at Butogota, 17km from the Buhoma entrance gate. By air, travellers can fly from Entebbe or Kampala (kajjansi airfield) to modern tarmac airstrip at kisoro. Bwindi is well served by three airfields at kayonza and kihiihi for the northern sector and Nyakabande in kisoro for those going to track gorillas in the southern sector.
Buhoma is located in the north west of the park and faces the dark, hilly forest of Bwindi. Three gorilla groups can be tracked from there and there are also community run village walks for exploring the culture and life style of the local Bakiga and Batwa tribes. Bird watching is also a major activity with great opportunities to see various Albertine Rift Endemics such as the short tailed Warbler; other activities include mountain biking and nature walks to waterfalls and parts of the forest. There are also numerous accommodations to suit all budgets and many local craft stalls.
Nkuringo is located on the southern edge of the park, became Bwindi’s second gorilla tracking trailhead in 2004. Tracking the Nkuringo groups is strenuous for their forest homelies a full 600m below the trailhead at Ntungamo village on Nteko ridge. Walks along the ridge- top road provide superb views north towards the forested hills of Bwindi and south to the virunga volcanoes. There are also opportunities to discover the Bakiga culture through village walks, vibrant dance performances and cultural workshops organised by community groups.
Rushaga, shongi trailhead the southeast of the park, opened for gorilla tourism in 2009. Three groups (Shongi, Mishaya and kahungye) can be tracked from this point. The trail descends into the depths of the forest directly to the south of the park. This area offers village walks, bird watching and a spectacular waterfall.
Ruhijja is located on the eastern side, sitting on top of the hill at 2345m; Ruhija is home to the Bitukura, Oruzoojo and kyaguriro gorilla groups. This is Uganda’s highest tracking trail and one of only two areas where elephants reside.
Bwindi is known to be cold in the morning and at night with average annual temperature ranging from 7 C - 20 C. The coldest period in Bwindi is June and July while wet seasons are March –May and September – November with total annual rainfall of up to 2390mm. Rains in March – May are short. They are heavier in September- November but can just be long hours of soft drizzle.