The village, apart
from claiming to be the centre of the universe, lies within
easy reach from most connection points. It can be accessed
from Kabale, Ntungamo, Northeastern Rwanda and Northwestern
Tanzania. The main way to the village however is through
Mbarara Town. This again has an exhilarating twist to it.
There are six certified roads that lead to the village from
Mbarara Town:
There is the main Mbarara-Kabingo-Kikagate Road.
This route will be dusty in dry season, slippery during
wet season and excitingly bumpy all through the year. The
main scenic attractions along the road are the large El
Niño lake, the Kagera waterfalls and the bombed out
ruins of the famous "Amin Hotel".
Then there is the Mbarara-Kabingo-Kabuyanda Road.
Probably the best way to get to the village with a breathtaking
view of the "million" hills. The first 16 miles
of the journey are bumpy but after that it’s a pendulum
swing up and down the undulating hills.
The Mbarara-Ruti-Mwizi-Kabuyanda Road is
yet another gateway to the legendary village. The first
half of this road is mainly an uphill flight, giving way
to a spectacular on-the-hill ride. Displays of large banana
plantations are the major picturesque spectacle. A minor
detour that would lead you through Kikagate takes the journey
to a crescendo of pleasure by giving you an aerial view
of the meandering river Kagera.
The Mbarara-Ntungamo-Rukoni-Kitwe and the
Mbarara-Nyaihanga-Kitwe Roads are mainly
preferred for their better quality. Long stretches of these
roads are tarmac and the murram bits are smoother.
The Mbarara-Ruti-LowerMwizi-Kabuyanda Road
is by far the shortest in distance. Its focal element is
the two rugged ascending points that put any driver to the
test, leaving him or her secretly grateful to the makers
of 4x4s.
The Mbarara-Kaberebere-Kabuyanda and the
Mbarara-Kaberebere-Nyakitunda Roads
share in most parts the features to the other routes,
but their distinguishing characteristic is that without
a tour guide a journey to the village can become like a
TV adventure serie that never ends...
It should be noted
that the average distance, except for the Mbarara-Ntungamo-Rukoni-Kitwe
and the Mbarara-Nyaihanga-Kitwe Roads, 
from
Mbarara to the village is 58 miles. An extra 20 miles would
be added if you use the two underlined roads. And noteworthy
too is the fact that travelling to the village, unlike most
places, is not measured in hours but in the means of transportation.
For the local people there are several means of transportation
available:
The Bus: Picture an old
movie with a steady but worn-out looking bus. The buses
in good movies always go slow and often have mechanical
challenges but they always get there. And there you have
the main means of transportation to Nshenyi Village. The
bus sets off at 2 pm, or when the driver thinks it's 2 pm,
and arrives in the village between 8 pm and 10 pm. The 58
mile journey consumes every bit of between seven and nine
hours. The good people of the village have never publicly
complained and they seem to find travel by bus a socially
enlightening experience. The return journey sets off at
4 am and gets back to Mbarara by 11 am.
Small Vehicles: The loading
capacity for these speed merchants is limitless. They depart
from Mbarara for the village when all seats are crammed
and return likewise. They travel most times of the day.
Of course the easiest and most comfortable
way of transport is by the reliable safari vehicles
of Great Lakes Safaris. Depending on your choice
of route, it will take you between 1 and 4 hours to reach
Nshenyi.
