Fly Uganda Launches Scheduled Flights to Bwindi
If there is that one crucial factor that limits some tourists from realizing their dreams in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park then it is the long distance or its farther location from Kampala city center or Entebbe International Airport. Despite its hidden treasures, spending over 8-10 hours on the road is one stressful factor that in one way or the other has hindered majority of visitors from achieving their dreams in this magical safari destination. But where there are challenges, there are solutions too! Not to let you bury your dreams this coming season, fly Uganda has made it easier for you to explore this remarkable forested protected area while on gorilla safari holiday in Uganda. Starting first November, 2018, fly Uganda will kick start its scheduled flights from Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi Airstrip. With this, over 10 hours that you would have used on road would have been saved for you to engage in a number of activities in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. This means that it is now possible for you to plan for a short gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi National Park. To be part of this lovely and the most captivating primate adventure in Uganda, you need $600 for you to secure a permit for yourself. You can obtain one through a local tour operator or directly through reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). But to ease the process, better you deal with a recognized tour operator and for this case, simply contact our reservationist and we shall be of great help to you.
Bwindi National Park is situated in Southwestern Uganda about 550 kilometers away from Kampala/Entebbe just at the extreme Albertine rift valley and it takes you about 9-10 hours’ drive up to this national park. With introduction of direct flights from Entebbe to this stunning park and to various spectacular destinations in the country, it is undoubtedly great news to the tourism sector and in the long run, perhaps an increase in Uganda gorilla safaris and tours will be registered. This forested park offers refuge to more than 480 mountain gorillas and the largest number of habituated families which are readily available for gorilla trekking and research purposes. During your actual trek, you will be assigned to only one habituated gorilla group to track in a group of 8 (eight) visitors.
Fly Uganda is local domestic airline which has introduced scheduled flight to Bwindi National Park-one of the most famous national parks in this magical country. It is a subsidiary of Kampala Executive Aviation (KEA) which is equally a domestic airline in the pearl of Africa and has plans to open more new routes to remote protected areas where most of Uganda’s tourism activities are conducted. This move is entirely intended to promote tourism sector in the country through easy access. Fly Uganda started in 1997 mainly to promote aircraft operations and chartering.
Fly Uganda will operate weekly-Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting from Kajjansi airstrip to Kihihi. This means that you can either take a flight from Kajjansi to Kihihi airfield in Kabale or Kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro airstrip. From here, you will connect to the park using a four wheel drive safari vehicle about one hour’s drive from Kihihi airstrip to Bwindi National Park gate. This also offers visitors opportunity to track gorilla groups in the southern sectors especially Nkuringo, Rushaga and Mgahinga National Park. The habituated gorilla families for you to track in Rushaga sector include Kahungye, Mishaya, Nshongi, Busingye and Bweza. In Nkuringo region, you can track families like Nkuringo and Christmas group. Other sectors include Buhoma which comprises of habituated families like Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura and Katwe; Ruhija trailhead features groups such as Kyaguliro, Bitukura and Oruzogo.
This will complement the Aero link which also offers schedule flights to Kidepo Valley National park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Bwindi National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and many more.
Cost of the flight
When it comes to the cost of the flights, perhaps many are left wondering how expensive it is to fly from Kajjansi up to Bwindi National Park but surprisingly, the price is within the visitors’ pocket range. For these particular flights, charge is $236 per seat and this also covers taxes, flight services and reservations can be made directly at flyuganda.com. Due to high demand, you are encouraged to make your booking early enough at least two days before the actual day of your trip.
In conclusion, scheduled flights to Bwindi National Park and other protected areas is a great move towards boosting Uganda’s tourism sector. This is of great importance the fact that this helps increase accessibility to such incredible destinations where most gorilla and other wildlife safaris are always conducted.
