One of the sectors for gorilla trekking in the southwest of Uganda is Nkuringo sector in Bwindi Gorilla Park. In 2004, Nkuringo became the second sector of the Bwindi Gorilla Park. Because it harbors a semi-habituated gorilla family and other gorillas ready for trekking. Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector is one of the most popular trekking sectors of Bwindi Forest Park.
Over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population resides in Bwindi Gorilla Park. Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector is one of the park’s four sectors, each accommodating a separate gorilla family. Three mountain gorilla groups are sheltered in Nkuringo sector located in the southern art of the park: The sector shelters three gorilla groups to include; Christmas, Nkuringo and Bushaho gorilla groups
Families of gorillas in the Nkuringo area
Two gorilla families in the Nkuringo area are fully habituated for trekking, while one semi-habituated family is accessible for habituation purposes. Nkuringo, Bushaho, and Christmas gorilla families are among the gorilla families found in Nkuringo sector Bwindi forest park
Nkuringo gorilla family was the first group to be habituated in Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector and became ready for trekking in 2014. Nkuringo gorilla family is led by a silverback named Nkuringo, started with 20 members. At an age of 45-years Nkuringo the Silverback died in 2008, Safari the silverback assumed group leadership until he fled following a conflict with another gorilla family.
After Safari fled, Rafiki assumed leadership of the gorilla group until June 2020, when armed ranger guides discovered Rafiki’s body bearing significant wounds thought to have been caused by spears from illegal hunters. Twelve members of Nkuringo gorilla family are now led by a blackback named Rwamutwe.
Another family in the Nkuringo sector that is available for trekking is Bushaho gorilla family. The gorilla group can only accommodate four trekkers at a time and is available for habituation purposes. The twelve-member gorilla group is headed by the dominating silverback Bahati.
Christmas gorilla family is another gorilla group in Nkuringo section of Bwindi gorilla park. Born on Christmas Day, Christmas is a dominant silverback that leads the gorilla troop. The Christmas gorilla group did not become habituated for very long since the majority of its members came from the Nkuringo group, which had already become habituated. The Nkuringo gorilla family currently consists of six individuals: two adult females, one sub-adult female, two juveniles, and one silverback.
Experience trekking with gorillas in Nkuringo
Christmas gorilla family and Nkuringo gorilla family are the two gorilla families in the Nkuringo sector of the Bwindi gorilla park that are available for trekking. The first step in going on a gorilla trekking adventure with these gorilla families is to go for a briefing at the sector headquarters where wardens will inform you on the rules and regulations of the activity. A group of eight individuals embarks on a gorilla trekking.
The treks in the Nkuringo sector are led by armed ranger guides who bring you through various hiking trails, search for mountain gorillas, and keep hikers safe from potentially dangerous wild animals. It can take 2-7 hours to locate mountain gorilla family in Nkuringo sector due to the difficult terrain and dense vegetation. As soon as the mountain gorilla is found, trekkers are given one full hour to interact with these primate species
Experience with gorilla habituation in the Nkuringo sector
The gorilla habituation experience begins with a briefing at the sector offices, conducted by four trekkers, similar to trekking mountain gorillas. Bushaho gorilla family is the only gorilla family in Nkuringo region. The habituation activity in Nkuringo is led by armed ranger guides and takes 2-7 hours, depending on the location of the mountain gorillas and the pace of the trekkers. Once the semi-habituated gorilla family has been identified, four hours are given to the trekkers to spend with the apes, observe them going about their daily lives, take pictures, and participate in the activities meant to encourage them to do so.
What is the cost of gorilla permits in Nkuringo sector?
Uganda Wildlife Authority sells gorilla trekking permits for the Nkuringo sector for $800 for non-resident foreigners, $700 for residents of other countries, and UGX250,000 for citizens of East Africa. For foreign non-residents, gorilla habituation permits do cost $1500; for foreign residents, they cost $1000; and for East African citizens, they cost UGX750,000. To avoid last-minute booking disappointments, travelers are encouraged to book their habination permits or gorilla trekking well in advance, three to four months in advance.
For the same price, tourists can still reserve gorilla permits for the Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector through a local tour company. You will email the dates of the month and year you wish to travel, along with Nkuringo as the sector you wish to visit, to your local tour operator. They will utilize this data to inquire with the Uganda Wildlife Authority about the gorilla permits’ availability. They will contact you the banking information as soon as the permits become available, and after you have finished transferring the money, they will schedule your gorilla permit.
reserving gorilla permits in Nkuringo sector
Trekking permits or habituation permits for mountain gorillas in Nkuringo sector can be reserved through Uganda Wildlife Authority. In order to trek in the Nkuringo region, travelers must email the Uganda Wildlife Authority with their desired dates of trip, month, and year. After they receive the email, they will look into the permits’ availability. If they are, they will provide you your banking information, and once you have paid them, they will book the permits on your behalf.
Reaching Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector
From Kigali, Rwanda, or Kampala, road transportation is available to reach Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector. Travelers intending to use Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route can reach Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Park in 9–10 hours. They will begin their journey in Muto and travel 30 km on a dirt road to reach the Nkuringo district within the park.
Alternatively, It takes 4-5 hours to travel from Kigali to Nkuringo gorilla trekking area via the Katuna border in Kabale. Travelers heading to Nkuringo sector from Kabale will turn off at Muto and join a gravel route.
Travelers intending for luxury safaris can opt for flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park. After landing at Kisoro airport, which takes 2 hours, cars accompany you to the park or resort; the trip takes a few hours. Aerolink Uganda operates these flights.
Lodging options in Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector
Situated in the southern part of Bwindi Gorilla Park, Nkuringo sector offers a number of lodging options. Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Mutanda Eco Community Center, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Virunga Campsite are among other lodging options available in Nkuringo sector, ranging from affordable to luxurious.