Nkuringo sector

Nkuringo sector is one of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park together with Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga.  Nkuringo is located in the southern part of Bwindi harboring four gorilla families including Nkuringo, Bushaho, Christmas, and posho.

Bwindi is a tourist destination and world heritage site that houses over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Other destination where you can encounter mountain gorillas in Uganda is Mgahinga National Park which is part of the Virunga volcanoes.

Things to do in Nkuringo sector

Gorilla tracking at Nkuringo

This is the most sought-after activity in this sector and Bwindi’s impenetrable park as a whole. Gorilla tracking in Nkuringo starts with an early morning briefing at the park headquarters. The briefing is intended to inform the trekkers about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations . After the briefing,   participants are grouped into 8 and allocated to a specific gorilla group.

With the leadership of experienced guides, trekkers move into the park jungles in search of these great apes. The search takes 2-6 hours but on encounter,  trekkers are given one great hour to spend with the gorillas in their natural habitat as they learn their lifestyle and habits and take photos with flash-less cameras.

Tourists interested in gorilla trekking in Nkuringo must acquire a trekking permit.  Permits are obtained from UWA by booking directly booked by the consumer or through a recognized tour operator like Active African Vacations who also help to arrange the transportation and accommodation for the tourist.

Nkuringo offers only 24 gorilla permits for daily tracking. Visitors are therefore advised to book permits early enough to avoid inconvenience as last-minute permits are not readily available, especially in the peak season. In January to February, June, July, August, and December.

Gorilla Families in the Nkuringo Sector

Nkuringo family has four habituated gorilla families ready for daily tracking.  the families include:

Nkuringo family

This was the first gorilla family to be habituated and opened for trekking in the southern sector (Nkuringo)of Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park.  This family was formed by some members who broke away from the Nshongi family in Rushaga. The family was habituated for four years and opened for tourism in 2004.

The family was named after the round hill where it was first sighted and went under the leadership of Nkuringo as the dominant silverback. Later, in 2008 Nkuringo died and was replaced by Bahati who now heads the group that comprises  19 members with two silverbacks.

Bushaho gorilla family

The Bushaho gorilla family was formed by some members who broke away from the Nkuringo family. it was later joined by other unhabituated gorillas from the Bushaho family.  the family was then habituated, and Bahati became the dominant silverback. Currently, this family consists of  2 silverbacks, 4 adult females, 1 blackback, 1 juvenile, and 3 infants making 11 members in the whole family.

Christmas gorilla family

This is yet another gorilla family in  Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park.  Christmas gorilla family is under the leadership of  Christmas Silverback  attained its name after  the leader being born on Christmas(25th December). This family is one of the newly opened families in Bwindi and has 9 members though 6 members are commonly seen  during the trekking.  Like other habituated gorilla families, the Christmas family is ready and available for tracking daily.

Posho gorilla family

This is a newly habituated gorilla family in the Nkuringo sector.  This group was named after the food “corn meal” that the trackers and researchers used to feed on during the habituation process. The group is led by Silverback Magara and comprises 17 members, 1 silverback, 8 adult females, 2 sub-adult females, 2 juveniles, and 4 infants.

Other activities in Nkuringo other than gorilla trekking

Nature walks

This is another perfect way of exploring Bwindi’s impenetrable forest National Park. nature walks are done along clear trails in the morning and evening hours.   While on a nature walk, enjoy the calm and cool surroundings with a high chance of spotting different wildlife like forest elephants, monkeys, baboons,  wild pigs, and several bird species.

Bird watching at Nkuringo

Bwindi is renowned as one of Uganda’s birding destinations, hosting approximately 350 bird species. The best birding spots in the Nkuringo area include the Nombe pocket forest, about 5 km away from the park headquarters, and Buniga forest. Most bird species in these places are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Some of the species in this area include Chapin’s flycatcher, African Broadbill, Grauers rush Warbler, Shelley’s crimsoning, and many others.

Batwa cultural experience at Nkuringo

This is an amazing experience that brings you to a close encounter with the Batwa tribe that originally lived in the forest. The Batwa cultural experience begins with a nature walk through different homesteads and gardens, the Batwa lived in trees and caves but due to the need for wildlife conservation they were forced to start living on the outskirts of the park. a visit to the Batwa is a true manifestation of African culture.

On encounter, enjoy listening to their interesting stories, songs, and dances. Observe their cultural practices like the hunting skills with bows and arrows, how the women prepare the local dishes and at your wish, have a taste of the meal.  At the end of your visit, you can buy some of their handicrafts as a way of donating back to their community.

How to access  Nkuringo sector

Nkuringo sector in the southern part of Bwindi National Park can be accessed by both road and air transport means.

When using road transport, travel from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara to Kabale then connect to Nkuringo for 8-10  hours.

From Rwanda, travel from Kigali to Uganda via Cyanika or Katuna border, connect to Kisoro then transfer to  Nkuringo for 4-5 hours.

Using air transport, take a flight from either Entebbe International Airport or Kigali  International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip. From here travel by road to Nkuringo sector.

The best time to visit Nkuringo

Most activities in this sector are very favourable in the dry season which is commonly known as the peak season. This is because the park trails are dry and less slippery since the terrain of the park in this region is a bit hard to traverse. However, the wet season serves best for tourists interested in birding excursions many migratory birds and those confined to the Albertine Rift valley are best spotted during this time.

Where to stay in Nkuringo while on a gorilla safari

Like other sectors of Bwindi National Park, Nkuringo has budget friendly accommodations for all tourists. Multiple options range from   hostels, forest camps, cottages, luxurious cabins  and family friendly  hubs. Some of the  accommodations include;

Lake Mulehe gorilla lodge

It is located in Kisoro district and is managed by  Uganda Cultural lodges. This lodge is preciously located on a peninsula  of Lake Mulehe and provide quick accessibility to the Nkuringo sector, Rushaga sector and Mgahinga National Park. the lodge has 11s spacious rooms that provides a cool relaxation  with stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes.

Nshongi camp

This is an accommodation located a few meters from the Uganda Wildlife Service hut, the gorilla tracking starting point.  It comprises 4 eco friendly bandas that provide scenic views if the Virunga volcanoes.  Guest to this place can dine  late in the evening to enjoy campfire meals are always ready and hot because the region is always cool.

Bwindi backpackers lodge

It is located on the outskirts of the park.  the accommodation provides for budget and mid-range travelers. It offers self-contained rooms and cottages plus the best local and international meals served by hospitable and caring attendants.

Other accommodations in the are include, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, Chameleon hill Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Lake Mutanda lodge Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge, Karungi Camp, Mutanda Eco community camp and many others.

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The 10 days gorilla and cultural safari will take to Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi where you will explore the difference in culture of these three countries of east Africa as you sport the difference and similarities of their way of life. you will further visit or the three capital cities of these countries. that is Kampala for Uganda, Kigali for Rwanda and Bujumbura for Burundi.

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The 10 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Tour starts and ends in Kampala. It will take you to Uganda’s un-spoilt wildlife destinations to experience Nature at its best. Explore all the best Uganda has to offer to tourists in the tropic Africa. Major tour activities in this tour include game drives in hunt for some of the “Big 5”

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Experience unique wildlife safari Tours in Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda to enjoy as you Adventure unique encounters. Take on the 14 Days Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda Safari to Adventure amazing Holiday Vacations in East Africa. The 14 Days Burundi Rwanda Uganda Safari gives you an opportunity to explore and adventure the beautiful safari destinations

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