Updated
Kisoro is the small highland town in Uganda’s far south-west that serves as the gateway to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi’s southern sectors, Rushaga and Nkuringo. It has an airstrip with flights from Entebbe, banks with ATMs, fuel, pharmacies and simple hotels, and it is about 20 minutes from the Cyanika border with Rwanda — roughly 3 hours by road from Kigali. For most visitors, it is the last place to stock up before heading into gorilla country.
Kisoro sits beneath the Virunga volcanoes, and on a clear day the cones of Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo rise above the town. Here is what Kisoro offers, how to get there and how it fits into a gorilla trip.
Kisoro at a glance
| Destination from Kisoro | Approximate time by road |
|---|---|
| Mgahinga (Ntebeko park headquarters) | About 30 minutes |
| Nkuringo (Bwindi) | About 1 hour |
| Rushaga (Bwindi) | About 1–1.5 hours |
| Lake Mutanda | About 20–30 minutes |
| Cyanika border (Rwanda) | About 20 minutes |
| Kigali | About 3 hours |
| Kabale and Lake Bunyonyi | About 1.5–2 hours |
Getting to Kisoro
There are three main ways in. From Entebbe, scheduled light aircraft fly to Kisoro airstrip, usually in the morning, in about an hour, which avoids an 8–10 hour drive. From Kampala by road, the journey runs through Masaka, Mbarara and Kabale and takes most of a day. From Kigali, the drive north through Musanze to the Cyanika border and on to Kisoro takes about three hours, which is why many travellers to southern Bwindi and Mgahinga fly into Rwanda instead of Entebbe. See Kigali to Bwindi and Mgahinga by road.
Services in town
Kisoro is the last town with a reasonable range of services before the parks. There are banks with ATMs, fuel stations, pharmacies, mobile money agents and small supermarkets selling water, snacks and basics. It is a good place to withdraw Uganda shillings for porters and tips, buy a local SIM card if you have not already, and pick up anything you forgot, such as gloves or rain gear, though choice is limited. The town’s lively markets are worth a wander, and local restaurants serve simple Ugandan food. See what to pack for gorilla trekking.
Where to stay
Kisoro town has simple hotels and guesthouses, including the long-established Travellers Rest, which is known for its association with early gorilla researchers and visitors. Staying in town is practical and economical for Mgahinga, only about 30 minutes away. For the gorillas of Rushaga and Nkuringo, most visitors prefer lodges closer to the sector headquarters to avoid an early drive on trek day. Lodges on the shores of nearby Lake Mutanda offer volcano views and sit conveniently between Mgahinga and southern Bwindi. See lodges near Bwindi and Mgahinga.
Things to do around Kisoro
Mgahinga, on Kisoro’s doorstep, offers gorilla trekking with the Nyakagezi family, golden monkey tracking, the Batwa Trail and volcano hikes. Lake Mutanda is a quiet spot for canoeing with the volcanoes as a backdrop, and the surrounding countryside is good for walks through farms and villages. Kisoro is also a convenient base for a rest day between gorilla treks. See gorilla trekking in Mgahinga and golden monkey tracking.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, several banks have ATMs in town. There are none near the gorilla trailheads, so withdraw cash for porters and tips in Kisoro.
Cyanika, about 20 minutes from Kisoro. Bunagana, also near Kisoro, is the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kisoro is ideal for Mgahinga. For Rushaga or Nkuringo treks, stay near the sector headquarters to avoid a long early drive.
Yes. Scheduled light aircraft fly from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip, usually in the morning, with a strict baggage limit of about 15 kg.
