Gorilla trekking from Entebbe and Kampala
Entebbe is Uganda's international airport, and Kampala is about 42 km away. From there you reach Bwindi in one of two ways: a domestic flight to a bush airstrip near the park, or a long drive southwest. The flight saves most of a day. The drive lets you see the highlands and stop on the way.
A gorilla safari from Entebbe usually covers a transfer, a night near your sector, the trek and the return. Check whether the permit and the park fees are included, because many offers list them separately.
Our picks: Bwindi from Entebbe
Our take: the Batwa trip has the permit in the price, the six-day trip adds Queen Elizabeth. The three-day Bunyonyi trip is the straightforward option if you only want Bwindi.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
6-day gorilla tracking and wildlife safari
- Gorilla permits
- Full board accommodation
- Airport transfers
A small-group trip of up to nine that visits Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. Ask whether park fees are covered before you book.
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3-day gorilla trek with a Batwa visit
- Gorilla permit included
- Batwa experience
- Two nights, meals as per itinerary
A private 4x4 with a driver-guide takes you from Entebbe or Kampala, and park entry is included. The Batwa visit is a cultural programme within the itinerary.
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3-day Bwindi trek with Lake Bunyonyi from Entebbe
- Park fees for non-residents
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation and meals
Three days from Entebbe airport: the Bwindi trek first, then Lake Bunyonyi. Ask whether the gorilla permit is included before you book.
Check availability →Gorilla safaris from Entebbe and Kampala
Gorilla treks and multi-day Uganda safaris from Entebbe and Kampala, with live prices and availability. Check whether the permit, park fees, flights and transfers are included.
Flight from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro
2026 timetable examples of a domestic carrier. Times are Uganda time (EAT) and can change with routing and weather.
| Departure | Entebbe to | Planned times | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early flight | Kisoro | 07:00 to 08:15 | Planned times, with intermediate stops possible. Not a nonstop flight. |
| Early flight | Kihihi | 07:00 to 08:15 | Stops are possible, so confirm the routing. |
| Later flight | Kisoro or Kihihi | 10:30 to 11:45 | Not flown in March, April, May and November. |
Check in 60 minutes before departure at Entebbe and 30 minutes before at the bush airstrips. A surcharge of $70 per person applies for Kisoro, which is not the full fare. The base fare and final surcharges vary, so ask for the total.
Which airstrip fits which sector
Kisoro serves the southern sectors, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Kihihi serves the northern side. After landing you continue by road, and four-wheel drive is the standard for the transfer. Do not plan a trek for the day you fly, because the road from the airstrip winds through hills and takes time. Sleep near your trailhead and trek the next morning. The sectors page shows how the four trailheads differ.
Uganda safari tours with gorillas
How the trip can be built around Bwindi.
Fly in, fly out
The shortest version flies from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro, spends one night near the sector, treks the next morning and flies back. Because the flight and the transfer are separate, keep a buffer before an international departure.
Drive one way, fly the other
Some trips drive to Bwindi via Kabale and the highlands and fly back, or the reverse. It uses less time than driving both ways and still shows you the road.
Combine with Queen Elizabeth
It is about 160 km from Mweya to Buhoma and about 62 to 64 km from Ishasha to Buhoma, mostly on unpaved road. Ishasha lies in Queen Elizabeth National Park, so a Buhoma trek fits well after a savanna safari.
Add Lake Bunyonyi or Mgahinga
The south has more to see around the gorillas. Lake Bunyonyi suits a rest day before or after, and Mgahinga near Kisoro offers golden monkey tracking and volcano hikes.
By road from Kampala
A drive from Kampala to Kabale is 414 km and takes about 6 hours, followed by about 120 km and 5 hours to Buhoma. Kampala to Kisoro takes about 9 hours. The getting there page explains the road routes, the transfer from Entebbe airport and rules for rental cars.
What to check before you book
Differences that change the price and the day plan.
Permit and park fees
The permit includes the guide, park entry on the day and a community contribution. Do not add regular park entry on top. Many tour prices leave the permit out, so ask what the price covers.
Flights and check-in
Be at the counter 60 minutes before departure at Entebbe. Ask your operator about the baggage rules for domestic flights before you pack.
Entry and health
Uganda no longer requires a yellow fever certificate as of October 2026. Check the current entry rules before you go, and keep your card if you have one. A single-entry eVisa costs $50, and the East Africa Tourist Visa costs $100.
Travel advice
Germany's foreign office advises extra care in Bwindi and Mgahinga. The UK advice describes security escorts on gorilla tours in Bwindi and Mgahinga as usual. Read the advice from your own government.
Gorilla trekking from Entebbe: frequently asked questions
Can I trek gorillas on a day trip from Entebbe?
It is not a realistic plan. The flight and the road transfer take time, and trekking starts at 08:00 with a briefing before it. Plan at least one night near your sector.
Do I fly to Kihihi or to Kisoro?
That depends on your sector. Kisoro serves Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south, and Kihihi serves the northern side. Choose the airstrip after you know the sector of your permit.
How long is the drive from Kampala to Bwindi?
Via Kabale it is 414 km and about 6 hours to Kabale, then about 120 km and 5 hours to Buhoma. Kampala to Kisoro takes about 9 hours. These are guide values, not a navigation promise.
Is the permit included in a gorilla safari price?
Sometimes. Foreign visitors buy permits through a licensed operator, and some prices include it while others do not. The permit is $800 for foreign non-residents. Check the current amount before booking.
How early does the first flight leave?
In the 2026 timetable the early flight leaves at 07:00. Check in at 06:00 at Entebbe, which means a very early start from Kampala. Confirm the current timetable before you go.
Do the flights to Kisoro and Kihihi run all year?
The later flight is not flown in March, April, May and November. The early flight is the one to plan around in those months. Confirm the current timetable before you book.