Located within the southwestern district of Kisoro next to Kabale and Kanungu districts, Kisoro Airstrip is one of Uganda’s upcountry airstrips. The airstrip also boarders Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, it is a gateway to the famous gorilla trekking destinations – Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks. Travelling from Kampala to the southern destinations of Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks by road may be quite longer, so this makes a flight to Kisoro Airstrip a better option.
Kisoro Airstrip is set at an elevation of 1890m above sea level. By air, Kisoro Airstrip is about 343km from Entebbe International Airport. Its primary purpose is making access to south-western destinations an easy venture for tourists and other travelers. Plans to upgrade the airstrip into an international airport are underway; something which will be appreciated by all tourism stake holders as tourists can fly directly from their homes to their target destinations without first stopping at Entebbe airport. Being served mostly by domestic airlines like Aerolink Uganda, Rwanda lies just a stone throw (6km) away from Kisoro Airstrip.
The airstrip is currently under management and administration of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority like all other airports/airstrips in the country. Departures from Entebbe International airport happen early morning and some in the mid-morning, taking only 1 and 1.5 hours to reach Kisoro Airstrip. Connecting to the final destinations is by road. It takes only two hours to drive from Kisoro airstrip to southern sectors (Rushaga and Nkuringo) of Bwindi Impenetrable national park and one hour to reach Mgahinga national park.
INTERESTING ATTRACTIONS NEAR KISORO AIRSTRIP.
Dare not to miss the spectacular attractions neighboring Kisoro Airstrip among which include, but not limited to; Virunga Chain Mountains, four gorilla sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Volcanoes national park and Mgahinga national park which are internationally accredited as popular tourism destinations as well as Lake Mutanda.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Situated in the southwestern corner of Uganda, Mgahinga national park is the smallest park in the country covering not more than 34km2. The size of the park does not stop it from being a reliable and attractive tourist destination since it is home to elusive golden monkeys, over 75 less common mammalia species, more than 200 bird species – some of which are endemic to the rift valley region, a single habituated gorilla family and protecting the three mountains of Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura (known as Virunga chain Mountains).
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Covering an area spanning to about 331km2 in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable national park was established in 1991. It is home to almost half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas in the world, and comprising of more than twenty habituated gorilla groups ready for trekking.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi takes place in 4 distinct sectors including Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Ruhija. Additionally, Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to 400 floral species (inclusive of 320 tree species), 119 Mammalia species, 200 butterfly species and about 350 bird species.
