For guests who are driving between Volcanoes Lodges.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge to Bwindi Lodge
This scenic drive passes through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and provides the chance to search for Ishasha’s famous tree-climbing lions, as well as elephants and many of the park’s 600+ bird species.
From Kyambura Gorge Lodge, take the Kasese road and continue to the Katunguru – Ishasha junction and Uganda Wildlife Authority Queen Elizabeth National Park headquarters. Look out for the Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge signpost that marks the Ishasha road turning. Turn left onto the murram dirt road and drive 81 km through the park to Kihihi. The drive from the junction in Ishasha to Kihihi town is about 10 km.
From Kihihi, take the Kanungu road up to Kanyantorogo. Take the Butogota road for approximately 33 km then turn right. (Look out for the Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge signpost). Drive for 17 km to Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge in Buhoma.
The journey from Kyambura Gorge Lodge to Bwindi Lodge should take approximately five hours.
Bwindi Lodge to Mount Gahinga Lodge
From Bwindi take the Ruhija road and drive for 70 km to the Kabale – Kisoro tarmac road. Turn right onto Kisoro road and drive for about 55 km to Kisoro town.
From Kisoro town, take the Bunagana road and turn left opposite Kisoro police station (50 metres). Drive past Travellers Rest Hotel and take the next right at the Volcanoes Safaris’ signpost. Follow the Mgahinga – Kisoro road for approximately 14 km and turn at the signpost showing Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mount Gahinga Lodge is on the right of the road, a few hundred metres before the park entrance.
The drive from Bwindi Lodge to Mount Gahinga Lodge should take five to six hours. However, the drive may take up to seven hours during the rainy season.
Mount Gahinga Lodge to Virunga Lodge
From Mount Gahinga Lodge, drive to Kisoro town and proceed to the Uganda/Rwanda border (Cyanika border post about 22 km). From Cyanika take the Ruhengeri road – drive for about 12 km to Nyarwondo trading centre and turn left. From here, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge signposts will guide you to the lodge on top of the hill (approximately 5 km).
The drive from Mount Gahinga Lodge to Virunga Lodge should take about two hours. This includes the time it takes to clear immigration.
In case of emergency, please call + 256 772 741 718 for Uganda and +250 788 389 576 for Rwanda.
For guests who are driving from Kampala to Volcanoes Lodges.
KAMPALA TO KYAMBURA GORGE LODGE
Take the northern bypass (to avoid heavy traffic) and drive west towards the Busega roundabout. Here take the Masaka – Mbarara highway (for approximately 287 km). From Mbarara town, take the Bushenyi – Kasese road to Kyambura trading centre in Rubirizi district.
Look out for the Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge signpost at the trading centre. Turn right on the Katerera road. It is 1 km drive to Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
The drive from Mbarara to Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge is approximately 130 km. This journey should take 6 – 7 hours allowing for a lunch stop on the way.
Alternatively, daily scheduled flights operate from Entebbe Airport to Kasese Airstrip. The flight time is two hours.
KAMPALA TO BWINDI LODGE
Take the Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway (approximately 280 km). Drive through the main street of Mbarara. After 3 km, take the right turning onto the Kasese road (Bushenyi and Rubirizi districts).
Continue to the Katunguru – Ishasha junction and Uganda Wildlife Authority Queen Elizabeth National Park headquarters (about 10 km). Look out for the Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge signpost that marks the Ishasha road turning. Turn left onto the murram dirt road and drive 81 km through the National Park to Kihihi. The drive from the junction in Ishasha to Kihihi town is about 10 km.
From Kihihi, take the Kanungu road up to Kanyantorogo. Take the Butogota road for approximately 33 km. Turn right at the Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge signpost and drive for 17 km. Drive through Buhoma, past Bwindi Community Hospital. You will find Bwindi Lodge clearly signposted, on the left side of the road.
The drive from Kampala to Bwindi Lodge should take approximately ten hours.
Alternatively, daily scheduled flights operate from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi Airstrip. The flight time is one and a half hours.
KAMPALA TO MOUNT GAHINGA LODGE
Take the Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway (approx 280 km). Drive through the main street of Mbarara and follow the Mbarara – Ntungamo – Kabale road (158 km). From Kabale town, take the Kabale – Kisoro road (80 km). The Kisoro road has a number of bends, hills and valleys; drive with extra care.
From Kisoro town, take the Bunagana road and turn left opposite Kisoro police station (50 metres). Drive past Travellers Rest Hotel and take the next right at the Volcanoes Safaris’ signpost. Follow the Mgahinga – Kisoro road for approximately 14 km and turn at the signpost showing Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mount Gahinga Lodge on the right of the road, a few hundred metres before the park entrance.
The drive from Kampala to Mount Gahinga Lodge should take approximately 8 – 9 hours.
Alternatively, daily scheduled flights operate from Entebbe Airport to Kisoro Airstrip. The flight time is one hour and five minutes.
For guests driving from Kigali to Volcanoes Lodges.
KIGALI TO VIRUNGA LODGE
Take the Kigali – Butare road. After 3 km, turn right onto the Kigali – Musanze (Ruhengeri) road.
Drive through Ruhengeri town and turn right onto the Ruhengeri – Cyanika road. Drive for approximately 17 km to Nyarwondo.
On the Ruhengeri – Cyanika road, look out for a Volcanoes Virunga Lodge signpost. Turn right here and take the murram dirt road. Volcanoes Virunga Lodge signposts will guide you to the lodge on top of the hill (approximately 5 km).
The drive from Kigali to Virunga Lodge should take approximately three hours.
KIGALI TO MOUNT GAHINGA LODGE
Take the Kigali – Butare road. After 3 km, turn right onto the Kigali – Musanze (Ruhengeri) road.
Drive through Ruhengeri town and turn right onto the Ruhengeri – Cyanika road. Drive for approximately 28 km to the Cyanika border. After clearing with Uganda/Rwanda immigration, continue to Kisoro town (approximately 14km).
From Kisoro town, take the Bunagana road and turn left opposite Kisoro police station (50 metres). Drive past Travellers Rest Hotel and take the next right at the Volcanoes Safaris’ signpost. Follow the Mgahinga – Kisoro road for approximately 14 km and turn at the signpost showing Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mount Gahinga Lodge on the right of the road, a few hundred metres before the park entrance.
The drive from Kigali to Mount Gahinga Lodge should take approximately four hours. This includes the time it takes to clear immigration.
KIGALI TO BWINDI LODGE
Take the Kigali – Katuna road (95 km) to the Rwanda/Uganda border post at Katuna border. After clearing immigration for both countries, continue to Kabale town (22 km).
From Kabale, take the Kabale – Kisoro road. After 30 km, turn right and take the Ruhija road (marked by a big signpost). Continue on the Ruhija road until you reach the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you will find a signpost to Buhoma. Turn left here.
Follow the Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge signs. Drive through Buhoma, past Bwindi Community Hospital. You will find Bwindi Lodge clearly signposted, on the left side of the road.
The drive from Kigali to Bwindi Lodge should take approximately seven hours.
KIGALI TO KYAMBURA GORGE LODGE
Take the Kigali – Katuna road (95 km) to the Rwanda/Uganda border post at Katuna border. After clearing immigration for both countries, continue to Kabale town (22 km).
From Kabale, turn right and take the Kabale – Ntungamo road (75 km).
As you approach Ntungamo town, turn left at the Fuelex fuel station and follow the Ntungamo – Rukungiri road. After 15 km, turn right at Kagamba junction. Drive to Ishaka town (35 km), then turn left and continue to Rubirizi town in Rubirizi district.
From Rubirizi town continue to Kyambura trading centre where you will see a Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge signpost. Turn right on the Katerera road. It is 1 km drive to Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
The drive from Kigali to Kyambura Gorge Lodge should take approximately six hours.
