Bwindi Gorilla Tracking by bus

If you are a budget traveler, it is still very possible to board a bus and participate in gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

What you need to understand is to know where to get the bus from the time of departure and the route that the bus goes to. You also need to know which sector of Bwindi you are going to. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has three sectors namely the Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhija sector in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south .if you are going to the north (Buhoma) you will look for the buses that ply to Buhoma from Kampala via Mbarara-Ntugamo-Rukungiri- Kihiihi- Butogota.some of the buses that go to Buhoma are  Starlink bus, high way coaches, Muhabura coaches. Perfect coaches and Savanna coaches stop in Rukungiri and Kihiihi respectively.

If you are going to the eastern sector (Ruhija) and the southern sector, you will have to look for buses that ply the Kampala-Kisoro via Mbarara Kabale.  For those going to Ruhija, you will have to get out of the bus from Kabale and hire a taxi that will drop you in Ruhija as there are no public taxis to Ruhija. If you don’t have a lot of luggage you can continue with the bus and ask the conductor to drop you at the junction that goes to Ruhija. From here you can grab a Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi) at the stage and get dropped at your lodge or hostel.

If you are tracking in the southern sector continue with the bus up to Kisoro town. From Kisoro hire a taxi to drop you in Rushaga or Nkuringo. If you are tracking in Mgahinga, arrange with a driver to pick you early in the morning from your hotel so that you catch up with the briefing time at the park headquarters. It is about 1 hour from Kisoro to Mgahinga.

The buses that go to Kisoro via Mbarara Kabale from Kampala include; Jaguar bus services, gateway buses, Bismarkan, Horizon buses, Baby coach, trinity express, and modern coast, Ubumwe coaches.

If you are coming from Kigali, take the buses that leave from Kigali to Kampala via Katuna border through Kabale town. Ask the bus staff to drop you in Kabale town and then hire a taxi to take you to Bwindi. You will get the bus from the Nyabugogo bus park. The buses that leave from Kigali are Jaguar bus, trinity express, volcano, modern coast Simba coaches, horizon among others.

Important information

1. Make sure to travel at least two days before you do the tracking because you may be disappointed by delays such as mechanical problems. Most buses are not in good mechanical conditions so in case of mechanical issues you will be delayed and miss the activity if it was planned for the following day.
2. Be extra careful. there is a lot of burglary on the public buses. Keep a watching eye on your phone, laptop, and luggage all the time.
3. Make sure to book the bus that travels during the day. Most public buses travel at night and it may be difficult to get a taxi when you get out of the bus. You may even sleep off and pass your destination.
4. Always remind the conductor of where to drop you in order not to be dropped at along destination.
5. Make sure to arrange with your lodge about the transportation for taking you to and from the tracking.
6. Public buses don’t have a specific time of departure or arrival. They leave when they are full to capacity and they go dropping and picking passengers along the way.
7. Carry enough snacks and water with you because the bus may not stop for you to go to the restaurant and get food. When they stop its only 15 minutes for short calls.
8. Expect congestion on the bus as most bus companies have a tendency of overloading and some times people go standing in the bus corridor.

What can Safari Vacations & Travel Services Ltd help me?

Safari vacations and travel Services ltd can help you in securing gorilla permits for both Mgahinga and Bwindi national parks. Kindly send in you inquire about Bwindi Gorilla tracking by bus and our safari consultant will be able to help.