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 Directions to ITFC 

The Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation lies near Ruhija village, and is just within the boundaries of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-west Uganda. 

By car: the journey from Kampala to Kabale is approximately 420 km on a tarmac road of variable quality. It is wise to count on 8 hours for this journey and be prepared for more. In Kabale town, accommodation is available, as well as fuel stations and a range of supermarkets. You can arrange your travels through a tour operator from Kampala or email them on info@gorillasandwidlfesafaris.com.

From Kabale, follow the new tarmac Kisoro road for the first 25 km. At a large brown sign board for Buhoma and Bwindi, you turn right onto a dirt road which passes through many small settlements. This road develops bad patches in the rainy season. After about 13 km you reach the Ndego gate where you enter the park. Another 13 km on a murram road takes you to the Ruhija gate. After signing in, keep going for another km and you will see a group of sign boards pointing right to Ruhija village and ITFC. Take this and sharply turn left when you see the institute's gate. The last stretch of the journey is rather rocky and steep. There is a safe parking place halfway up the hill for vehicles that cannot climb up.

*** The road through the park is a rough murram road.

The use of a 4WD is advisable in the rainy season  ***

 

By bus: several bus services ply the route from Kampala to Kabale. The PostBus leaves the main Kampala post office around 8am each morning (buy a ticket in advance). It is supposed to arrive in Kabale by 4pm, but has recently often been delayed. There are many other options, including the relatively fast bushes from Kampala to Kigali (Jaguar, leaving from Namirembe road station Kampala, is a good option; call for reservations 0414 251855. Tell them you need to get out in Kabale! Another good option is the Kampala Coach, leaving from the road past the National Theatre).

For the journey from Kabale onwards, you may contact private-hire vehicles which charge around 90,000 UGX to drop you in Ruhija, 51 km from Kabale. Habib's is a taxi service we often use: 0772 557479.

Photo: public transport vehicles between Kabale and Butogota

NOTE: if you consider a visit to ITFC, make sure you inform us in advance.

 

 

Click here for a list of 'What to bring' for your visit