The Nkuringo sector was the second location to be habituated for gorilla tracking. It lies closely to the Buhoma sector within a distance of about 10km from Buhoma. This distance is covered by the Impenetrable Forest and a walk through from Buhoma to Nkuringo takes about 4 hours. There are two habituated gorilla groups habituated within the sector.
Nkuringo marks the second oldest gorilla trekking centre in Bwindi Impenetrable national Park after Buhoma sector. Nkuringo sector was launched in 2004 and famous for hosting the most popular silverback called Rafiki who was unfortunately killed by poachers in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic lock down.
Nkuringo sector is known for its challenging gorilla trek and thus, requires high level of fitness. Gorilla families here include; Nkuringo Gorilla family, Rushaho gorilla group and Christmas gorilla group. We are hopefully waiting for more habituated families in future.
Gorilla trekking is conducted on daily basis and starts at 8am after briefing. For that case, clients who go on a gorilla tour are advised to spend the previous night in nkuringo village or the nearby villages to be able to keep time.
There are four gorilla families within the Nkuringo Sector
- Nkuringo Gorilla Group
- Christmas Gorilla Family
Things to Do in Nkuringo Bwindi
Nkuringo is located in an area with great views of the Virunga Volcanoes. The villages at Nkuringo operate a community walk that visits a traditional healer, rural homestead, blacksmith and brewers.
Gorilla Trekking
Nkuringo is one of the 4 regions in Bwindi where tourists can begin their exhilarating mountain gorilla trekking expeditions. Located in the Southern end of Bwindi, Nkuringo is known for its challenging gorilla treks. On a gorilla tour in the Nkuringo, expect to explore already habituated families of endangered mountain gorillas. The gorilla groups to visit in the Nkuringo region include Christmas, Bushaho, and Nkuringo group.
A valid gorilla permit is essential for all gorilla tours to Nkuringo. A single permit for Nkuringo gorilla trekking adventure costs USD 800 per visitor under the category of foreign nonresidents, USD 700 per guest under foreign residents, and East African citizens pay UGX 300,000 per visitor.
Birding in Nkuringo
Aside from hiking trails like Ruizi River trail, visitors also have a chance to engage in birding expeditions in Nkuringo or other sectors. On a guided birding tour, myriad of birds can be spotted including the African paradise flycatchers, African wood-owl, buff-spotted woodpeckers, Barred long-tailed cuckoos, Helmeted Guineafowl, Blue spotted wood dove, African pygmy kingfishers, Klaas’s cuckoo, Pink-footed puffback, Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Vieillot’s black weaver, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Cassin’s flycatcher, Elliot’s woodpeckers, Mackinnon’s shrikes, African Hill-babbler, Ross’s turacos, African citril, Archer’s robin-chat, Rwenzori Batis, and yellow-fronted canary.
When is the Best time to Visit Nkuringo?
Gorilla trekking is done throughout the year however, it better to be done in dry season from December to February and from June to August. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the park and the path and roads are passable.
In rain season, the trekkers find it advantageous when the parks are not over crowded, less competition of gorilla permits
Where to stay in Nkuringo Sector
There are many Luxuries, deluxe and budget accommodation. You can decide to stay in Gorilla Heights Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge among others.
How to reach Nkuringo Sector?
You can reach Nkuringo sector by Air, Private and Public transport. By Air- a chattered flight from Entebbe Airport to Kisoro Air strip and from there, use a private car to the park headquarters.
By road – you drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi impenetrable national park. Use Masaka – Mbarara – Kabale road and then drive to Nkuringo Gorilla trekking headquarters.
By public transport, board a bus from Kampala to Kabale and then to Nkuringo park headquarters – though not recommended.