Nkuringo to Buhoma Walk: Crossing Bwindi Forest on Foot

The Nkuringo to Buhoma walk is a guided forest crossing through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, connecting southern Bwindi at Nkuringo with Buhoma in the north.

You can also complete the route in reverse, as a Buhoma to Nkuringo walk. Instead of spending several hours driving around the forest, you walk through Bwindi with a guide while your main luggage travels separately by vehicle.

At Orugano Safaris, we normally refer to it as the Nkuringo to Buhoma forest crossing, or the Buhoma to Nkuringo walk when you travel in the opposite direction. You may also see the route described online as the Ivy River Trail or Ivy River crossing, because the route crosses the Ivy River by bridge.

Why Walk Between Nkuringo and Buhoma?

The main advantage is practical: the walk serves two purposes at once. It is a guided forest activity and a transfer between southern and northern Bwindi.

This works particularly well if your safari begins in southern Bwindi and continues towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Kibale or other parts of western Uganda.

A traveller arriving from Kigali or Kisoro can:

• Stay in Nkuringo
• Trek gorillas in southern Bwindi
• Cross the forest to Buhoma on foot
• Continue north towards Queen Elizabeth National Park

This avoids driving around the forest simply to reach the other side.

The same route works in reverse if you are travelling south towards Nkuringo, Kisoro, Mgahinga or Rwanda.

The crossing is not suitable for every itinerary. You need enough time to walk without rushing, and your route must allow for separate luggage transport and vehicle coordination. We assess those details before adding it to your safari.

What Is the Nkuringo to Buhoma Walk Like?

This is a guided walk through Bwindi’s rainforest rather than a race from one sector to another.

You walk at your own pace and can stop for photographs, birding, lunch or simply to rest and enjoy the forest.

The experience is very different from gorilla trekking. The objective is not to locate a particular gorilla family. Instead, the forest itself is the experience.

Your guide can point out vegetation, birds, primates and other wildlife encountered along the way, although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

For many guests, one of the attractions is simply being able to spend several hours walking through Bwindi rather than seeing the forest mainly from a vehicle and during the gorilla trek.

Rain changes the character of the route quickly, so expect a proper forest walk rather than a surfaced path between two tourist sites.

How Long Does the Nkuringo to Buhoma Walk Take?

We plan this as a half-day walking experience, but we do not promise an exact crossing time before the route has been agreed. Walking time depends on the route, direction, pace, trail conditions and where vehicle pickup or drop-off is arranged.

Some guests want a relatively relaxed transfer through the forest, while experienced hikers may prefer a longer route and more time on foot.

When we arrange the crossing, we discuss the route beforehand and build sufficient time into the day’s itinerary so that the walk does not have to be rushed.

In our experience the walking route is often quicker than the road route, so guests frequently arrive at the Nkuringo side before their luggage vehicle does.

If you have a fixed activity later that day, such as a game drive or an international flight, the crossing may not be the right choice. A road transfer is sometimes the more sensible option.

Route Options Between Nkuringo and Buhoma

There is more than one way to make the Bwindi forest crossing. The route affects the amount of walking, the final climb and the vehicle arrangements on the Nkuringo side.

Mabende Route

The Mabende route is the easier option, and it is the one we normally use for travellers who want the forest crossing without completing the longer climb towards Nkuringo entirely on foot.

A road now reaches close to the river on the Nkuringo side, so a vehicle collects guests after the forest section and drives them up towards Nkuringo and their accommodation. From the Mabende pickup point it is about a 15-minute drive to Orugano Bwindi Lodge.

This makes the crossing considerably more manageable for travellers who enjoy walking but do not want to complete the demanding final ascent towards Nkuringo entirely on foot.

Kashasha Route

The Kashasha route is for travellers who specifically enjoy hiking and want to spend more time on foot. Rather than using the vehicle pickup, you continue walking towards Nkuringo and the route brings you directly to Orugano Bwindi Lodge, with no road transfer at the end.

Because it continues on foot all the way, and some guests choose to complete the entire crossing on foot rather than taking the vehicle, we recommend this option only for travellers who are genuinely fit and comfortable walking for several hours on forest trails.

We recommend discussing the following before choosing Kashasha:

• Your normal walking fitness
• How much time you want to spend on foot
• Whether you are carrying camera equipment
• The condition of the trails
• Your activities before and after the crossing
• Your wider Uganda safari route

What Is the Ivy River Trail?

You may find the Nkuringo–Buhoma forest crossing described online as the Ivy River Trail, Ivy River crossing or similar names.

The Ivy River is crossed by bridge during the forest crossing, which explains the terminology. However, different walking arrangements can use different approach points and vehicle connections.

Locally, we find it more useful to describe the experience according to where you are travelling:

• Nkuringo to Buhoma
• Buhoma to Nkuringo

This reduces confusion when we are arranging your guide, luggage vehicle and accommodation. If you book the route through another operator, ask them exactly which trail, pickup point and final approach they are using rather than relying only on the name “Ivy River Trail”.

What Happens to Your Luggage?

You do not need to carry your main safari luggage through Bwindi.

We normally arrange for your main bags to travel separately by vehicle while you cross the forest on foot with a Uganda Wildlife Authority forest guide. You carry only what you need during the walk, such as:

• Drinking water
• Packed lunch
• Camera
• Rain protection
• Personal medication
• A small amount of money
• Essential personal items

Your luggage then meets you at your accommodation on the other side.

In practice, two different people are involved. An Orugano driver-guide takes the vehicle and your luggage around by road, while a Uganda Wildlife Authority forest guide walks through Bwindi with you. The UWA forest walk fee is US$100 per guest and includes a guide and two forest rangers. Fees change from time to time, so we confirm the current rate when we quote your itinerary.

The walking route is usually quicker than the road route, so guests normally reach the Nkuringo side before the luggage vehicle does. We keep a vehicle stationed at Orugano Bwindi Lodge, and it is used to collect guests at the end of the forest section — about a 15-minute drive up to the lodge. The same arrangement works in reverse when the crossing is made the other way.

This is one reason the crossing works well as part of a safari itinerary rather than only as a standalone hike. You can walk with a small daypack instead of carrying a large suitcase through wet forest trails.

The luggage transfer must be coordinated in advance. Do not assume that a vehicle will automatically be available at the other side if you have arranged the walk independently.

Which Direction Is Better: Nkuringo to Buhoma or Buhoma to Nkuringo?

There isn’t one direction that is right for everyone. The best direction normally depends on where you are coming from and where your safari goes next.

Nkuringo to Buhoma

This direction works particularly well if you:

• arrive in southern Bwindi from Kigali or Kisoro;
• trek gorillas in Nkuringo or another southern sector;
• want to cross Bwindi on foot; and
• continue afterwards towards Queen Elizabeth National Park or further north through Uganda.

Buhoma to Nkuringo

Walking from Buhoma to Nkuringo can make more sense if your safari is travelling south through Uganda and you want to continue afterwards towards Kisoro, Mgahinga or Rwanda.

Rather than choosing the direction because one sounds easier, we normally look at the complete itinerary and use the crossing to reduce unnecessary backtracking.

Where Can You Continue From Buhoma?

One advantage of walking from Nkuringo to Buhoma is that you finish on the northern side of Bwindi, well positioned to continue towards Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest and Kibale rather than returning south. Distances alone can be misleading in Uganda, so the table below also shows typical driving times and general road conditions when planning these routes.

These are planning ranges rather than fixed transfer times. Road conditions, weather, roadworks and the exact location of your lodge or activity can change both the distance and journey time.

This is one reason we like using the Nkuringo to Buhoma walk as part of a safari rather than treating it only as a forest activity. You can arrive in southern Bwindi from Kigali or Kisoro, trek the gorillas, cross Bwindi on foot from Nkuringo to Buhoma, and then continue north through Ishasha and Queen Elizabeth National Park without returning to southern Bwindi.

A practical route could look like this:

• Kigali
• Nkuringo
• Gorilla trekking
• Nkuringo to Buhoma walk
• Ishasha
• Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kazinga Channel
• Kalinzu or Kibale
• Lake Mburo
• Entebbe

Road distances and driving times should be confirmed against your final itinerary before you book connecting flights or time-sensitive activities.

Kalinzu or Kibale After Bwindi?

If chimpanzee tracking is part of your safari, both Kalinzu Forest Reserve and Kibale Forest can fit naturally after the Nkuringo to Buhoma walk.

Kalinzu is the shorter addition and combines particularly well with Queen Elizabeth National Park. It can suit travellers who want chimpanzee tracking without extending the safari much farther north.

Kibale requires more driving but is the stronger choice if you are building a broader primate itinerary. A typical route can run from Bwindi through Queen Elizabeth National Park and then north towards Kibale and Fort Portal.

We choose between them according to:

• The number of days available
• Your interest in chimpanzee tracking
• Your tolerance for road transfers
• Your departure airport
• Whether Queen Elizabeth is already included
• Whether you want a slower or more comprehensive route

We do not automatically include both. Adding every primate destination can make the safari look impressive on paper but leave you spending too much time in the vehicle.

For a wider route, see our Uganda safaris and custom Uganda safaris.

Can You Combine the Walk With Gorilla Trekking?

Yes, but we normally put the activities on separate days.

Gorilla trekking starts with an early briefing, and the duration cannot be predicted because the gorillas move through the forest. It is better to enjoy your gorilla trek without worrying about reaching another sector afterwards.

A simple arrangement might be:

• Day 1: Arrive in Nkuringo and stay overnight.
• Day 2: Gorilla trekking and a second night in Nkuringo.
• Day 3: Walk from Nkuringo through Bwindi to Buhoma and stay in Buhoma, or continue with the next stage of the safari.

This gives you room to deal with a longer gorilla trek, wet conditions or a slower walking pace.

If your permit is in Rushaga, Buhoma or Ruhija, the crossing may still be possible, but the logistics change. Your permit sector, lodge location and route should be confirmed before you commit to the walk.

Read our gorilla trekking guide for more information about permit-led planning, trekking sectors and practical preparation.

Nkuringo Walking Safaris and Other Walks

The forest crossing is not the only option for travellers interested in walking safaris in Nkuringo.

Depending on your available time and interests, we can incorporate:

• Shorter guided nature walks
• Birding
• Community experiences
• Scenic walks around the Nkuringo area
• Local farming visits
• Forest interpretation
• Walking between selected viewpoints

These activities work well if you want time on foot but do not need to reposition from one side of Bwindi to another.

The important distinction is that the Nkuringo to Buhoma walk forms part of your safari routing. Many shorter walks begin and end in the same general area, while the forest crossing moves you from southern Bwindi to northern Bwindi.

What Should You Carry?

You do not need specialist mountaineering equipment, but Bwindi is a tropical rainforest and conditions can change quickly.

We recommend:

• Comfortable walking boots or shoes with good grip
• Long trousers
• Rain protection
• Drinking water
• A small daypack
• Sunscreen
• A hat
• Insect repellent
• Personal medication
• A walking stick, depending on conditions

Avoid carrying a large backpack. Your main luggage should travel separately, leaving you with only a small daypack during the crossing.

Waterproof protection matters even in the drier months. Rain can arrive quickly, and a lightweight rain jacket is more useful than an umbrella on forest trails.

Who Is the Walk Best For?

The Nkuringo to Buhoma walk suits travellers who enjoy being active and would rather experience Bwindi on foot than spend several hours transferring around it by road.

You do not need to treat it as a competitive hike. Your pace can be adjusted, and you can stop along the way.

However, it is still a forest walk. Trails can be wet, slippery, uneven and steep in places. If you have mobility concerns or simply do not enjoy longer walks, a vehicle transfer between the sectors may be the better option.

We would rather recommend the road transfer than put you on a forest walk you are unlikely to enjoy.

A walking stick and porter support can make the route easier, but they do not remove the need to be comfortable walking for several hours on uneven ground.

Where to Stay Before and After the Walk

This page focuses on the crossing rather than lodge selection. If you are comparing sectors and accommodation, see our guide to where to stay in Bwindi.

Orugano Bwindi Lodge is our base in Nkuringo and is approximately 10–15 minutes’ walk from the Nkuringo UWA briefing area. We can coordinate the accommodation, guide arrangements, luggage transfer and onward transport through Orugano Safaris.

On the Buhoma side, we can recommend accommodation according to your preferred comfort level and the direction of your onward journey.

For transparency, Orugano Safaris and Orugano Bwindi Lodge have common ownership. We disclose this because we both operate the lodge and plan safaris. We still match accommodation to your permit sector, route and requirements rather than recommending the lodge automatically.

We can coordinate:

• Accommodation
• Guide arrangements
• The forest crossing
• Luggage transfer
• Onward transport
• Accommodation on the Buhoma side

For guests staying with us, we provide refreshments and a chance to relax after the crossing before continuing on to the lodge.

If you are walking in the opposite direction, we reverse the logistics.

How the Forest Crossing Can Fit Into a Uganda Safari

One of our preferred uses of the crossing is as part of a south-to-north Uganda itinerary:

Kigali → Nkuringo → gorilla trekking → Nkuringo to Buhoma walk → Queen Elizabeth National Park → Kibale

This avoids driving back around Bwindi simply to continue north.

The reverse can also work:

Kibale → Queen Elizabeth National Park → Buhoma → Buhoma to Nkuringo walk → Nkuringo → Kisoro, Mgahinga or Kigali

The right sequence depends on:

• Gorilla permit availability
• Your arrival and departure points
• The trekking sector
• Your preferred accommodation
• Your available number of days
• Whether you want Ishasha, Kazinga Channel, Kalinzu or Kibale
• Your tolerance for long road transfers

Our guide to how many days you need for a Uganda safari can help you decide whether the crossing fits comfortably into your wider route.

For official protected-area information and current conservation guidance, check the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You can also consult Visit Uganda when comparing destinations beyond Bwindi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nkuringo to Buhoma walk the same as the Ivy River Trail?

The terms are often used for the forest crossing between the two sides of Bwindi, particularly because the route crosses the Ivy River by bridge. Locally, we normally describe the walk by direction, Nkuringo to Buhoma or Buhoma to Nkuringo, because there are different route options and vehicle arrangements.

How long is the Nkuringo to Buhoma walk?

It is planned as a half-day walking experience, but the actual time depends on the route, direction, pace, trail conditions, stops and vehicle arrangements. We recommend confirming the particular route before relying on a fixed walking time.

Can my luggage be transferred while I walk?

Yes. Your main luggage can travel separately by vehicle and meet you on the other side, leaving you with a small daypack for the forest crossing.

Do I need to be very fit?

You should be comfortable walking for several hours on forest trails. There are route options, and we can discuss the most suitable arrangement according to your fitness and how much walking you actually want to do.

Can I do the walk on the same day as gorilla trekking?

We normally recommend separate days. Gorilla trekking duration is unpredictable, so combining both activities can make the day unnecessarily rushed.

Can I walk from Buhoma to Nkuringo instead?

Yes. The crossing works in either direction. Which direction makes most sense depends mainly on your wider Uganda itinerary, permit sector, accommodation and onward route.

Planning the Nkuringo to Buhoma Walk

If you are considering the forest crossing, tell us your travel dates, where you will be staying before the walk and where you want to go afterwards.

We can check how the crossing fits with your gorilla permit sector, accommodation and wider safari route, then arrange the guide, luggage transfer and onward transport as part of your itinerary.

If you have not yet booked your gorilla permits, plan the permit, accommodation and forest crossing together rather than trying to fit the route around bookings already made.

If you already have travel dates, tell us whether you want to walk from Nkuringo to Buhoma or in reverse, and what you want to visit afterwards. We will check the practical route and advise whether the forest crossing suits your safari. Custom safari enquiries receive a response within 24 hours.