Nkuringo Bwindi Sector Guide: Gorilla Trekking Safaris Uganda Tours
A Guide to gorilla trekking safaris in Nkuringo Bwindi sector. Visit Nkuringo in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for epic gorilla safaris & Uganda tours
The Nkuringo sector or area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in the southern part of the park. Nkuringo is among the four main gorilla trekking regions in Bwindi National Park. It is popular for its Rafiki silverback, which unfortunately died around 2020 in the hands of poachers.
Nkuringo was opened for gorilla trekking in 2004, making it the second region to be visited for gorilla tourism after the Buhoma sector. The Nkuringo gorilla group was officially opened in April 2004 for tourists to explore on a gorilla safari.
Over half of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas are sheltered in Bwindi Forest and they can be trekked in Nkuringo and other regions like Ruhija, Buhoma, and Rushaga.
Overall, the park is home to about 23 habituated gorilla groups and they are all available for gorilla trekking tours.
Habituated gorilla groups often keep around the home range of 0.75 to 16 sq. miles in the park boundaries. Access to gorilla families can be done with the presence of the experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority park ranger guide.
Visitors are assigned to gorilla families on briefing day in the respective regions/areas.
Top Safaris & Tour Packages
Habituated gorilla groups in the Nkuringo region
The Nkuringo sector of Bwindi features habituated gorilla families like Nkuringo, posho, Bushaho, and Christmas.
Bushaho was previously designated for gorilla habituation experience but officially opened for actual gorilla trekking adventure.
Each gorilla family is visited by a maximum of 8 guests per day. The long gorilla trek takes about 2-6 hours.
Summary of gorilla families in the Nkuringo sector/area in Bwindi
- Bushaho
- Nkuringo group.
- Christmas gorilla group.
- Posho gorilla family.
Nkuringo gorilla group
As of July 2021, Nkuringo was comprised of 12 habituated gorilla families. The group was availed to the public by April 2004 after undergoing a habituation process.
During the launch of Nkuringo, the group comprised 20 members with 3 silverback gorillas all under the leadership of Nkuringo silverback gorilla.
Bushaho gorilla group –consists of about 12 members and the group is officially open for gorilla trekking. It is led by a dominant silverback Bahati which leads the rest of the members including juveniles, females, and sub-adult females.
Christmas gorilla group –Consists of about 8 individuals and can be tracked by tourists with an interest in experiencing the best African gorilla safaris.
Posho gorilla group –features about 14 individuals and led by Magara silverback gorilla. This is one of the best gorilla families to explore on gorilla safaris in Nkuringo sector in Bwindi National Park. It is a newly habituated groups and guarantees you refreshing primate trekking adventures.
What to do in the Nkuringo Bwindi sector
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking safaris are a must-enjoy primate safari experiences for visitors in the Nkuringo sector. A gorilla trek in Nkuringo involves exploring the already habituated gorilla groups including the Nkuringo gorilla family, Bushaho, and Christmas.
The trek to explore gorilla families in Nkuringo starts with a briefing session by the park official.
During the briefing session, expect not only to be allocated a habituated gorilla group but also to learn more about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations.
At around 8:00 am or earlier, expect to be led by an experienced guide from Bwindi where you embark on a journey to search for a habituated family of mountain gorillas.
The guided gorilla trek is expected to run for about 2-6 hours which also includes an hour of up close and personal encounter with mountain gorillas.
Each of the Nkuringo gorilla families will be tracked by a maximum of 8 (eight) visitors per day. A maximum of one hour will be allowed for you to enjoy a face-to-face encounter with a group of mountain gorillas in the wild.
To enjoy the best of Nkuringo gorilla trekking adventure, ensure that you have a valid gorilla permit. Visitors on gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda can obtain a permit at USD 800 per person. You should also have the right gear/items to make your gorilla safari complete.
Nature walking/hiking safaris.
Hiking should be part of the unique adventures you should expect to engage in the Nkuringo sector in Bwindi. Guided hikes in Nkuringo involve exploring the available trails including the Kashasha River trail which is 6-7 hours long.
Other trails include Ivy river trail 4 hours hike, Buniga Forest trail 3 hours guided walk, and the waterfall trail, etc.
Birding tours
Birding is one of the amazing things you should expect to enjoy in the Nkuringo sector in Bwindi National Park.
A long list of birds await to be spotted during the birding excursion in Nkuringo including the yellow-fronted canary, blue-headed sunbird, cape wagtail, yellow-rumped tinker bird, and pink-footed puffback.
Other birds to expect to find during the bird-watching tour in the Nkuringo region include the Great blue turacos, Rwenzori batis, crowned hornbills, Elliot’s woodpeckers, African dusky flycatchers, helmeted guineafowl, and others.
The best time to travel to the Nkuringo sector
The Nkuringo sector area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is best visited during the peak dry season. This can be during the long dry months which occur from June to September or December to February (short dry months). These are the ideal months of the year to enjoy captivating gorilla trekking or guided hikes.
What to take on Nkuringo sector gorilla safaris and tours
Essentials to consider on your packing list for the Nkuringo region/trailhead tour include a long-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirts, a daypack, an insect repellent, a rain jacket, a sweater, a camera, etc.
Accommodation (safari lodges)
Nkuringo region/area features budget, midrange, and luxury lodges. On Uganda safaris to explore the wonders of Nkuringo, the available accommodation options to consider include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
Other lodges to book include Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and more.
Getting to the Nkuringo sector area of Bwindi.
The Nkuringo sector region of Bwindi is found in the southern end of the park, in southwestern Uganda. Access to the Nkuringo can be by road or air.
By road, visitors can take a flight and set off from Entebbe or Kampala to Nkuringo, which is about an 8-9 hours drive.
Or depart from Kigali city to the Chanika/Katuna border and connect to Nkuringo region in Bwindi, 4-5 hours’ drive.
You may also take a flight to make your journey shorter and this involves departing from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip.
Conclusively, the Nkuringo sector trailhead in the Southern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers great gorilla trekking safari adventures, birding, hiking, and community tours.
Plan and book a safari to explore the Nkuringo region in Bwindi to enjoy mesmerizing wilderness experiences.