Mountain Gorilla Tracking in the Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi in Uganda

Nkuringo sector, one of the famous regions for Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, is located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It provides the habitation to the famous Nkuringo habituated gorilla family that is headed by Rafiki and its said to be the most great gorilla family where by each individual gorilla is so amazing hence capturing attention of the tourists. The gorilla group has got 9 members who are at times joined by some members from Bushabo gorilla family who cross from Rushaga sector.

In 1997, Nkuringo gorilla family was the first group that was habituated in the whole of the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable park, in other words, in all the two regions in the south of Bwindi which are Nkuringo and Rushaga sector.

This is the first gorilla family from which gorilla twins where given birth to in the month of December 2004, hence bringing up the first records of gorilla twins in Bwindi forest.

The group is known for foraging outside of the park for most of their time and this once led to the displacement of the local people who were at that time settling in the frintline villages in Nkuringo sector. Their rampant movement at that time once led to the outbreak of scabies in the Nkuringo gorilla family in the year 2000 which was later cured.

Nkuringo region is found on a high altitude which makes it more active for the tourists to hike in the forest in search for the habituated gorillas therefore this sector is highly recommended for the young, energetic and fit youths who manage and enjoy the trek in the hilly forest.

The gorilla group is near to Nshongi gorilla family in Rushaga sector and just like any other habituated gorilla family, only a total of eight people are allowed to trek the gorillas of Nkuringo gorilla group and the age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years therefore anyone below 15 years will not be allowed to trek.

As you travel to Nkuringo sector for your tour, you will enjoy the beautiful and great views provided by the magnificent sceneries of the Kabale landscapes as well as the Nyiragongo and Nyimuragira of Congo which as well provided wonderful views in the sky at the time they erupted in 2010, the tourists in who visited this area at that time really enjoyed this.

Access to Nkuringo sector

When traveling from Kampala, travellers can reach Nkuringo via the Kabale- Kisoro road and in case you are using a bus, the journey takes 11-12 hours or you can use a private vehicle. Right from the junction on Kabale to Kisoro road, Nkuringo can be reached at about 45 km which is about 3 hours.

At times you can also use the route via Buhoma through Kihihi or Butogota on a daily bus from Butogota but it’s more advisable to hire a private vehicle or a tour vehicle provided by a tour company. The tourists who visit Nkuringo can also enjoy many other activities in the region including; hiking, bird watching as well as cultural encounters.

Bird watching in Nkuringo sector

While in this sector, the clients who enjoy bird watching will also not miss out on viewing the beautiful bird species at Nkuringo since the sector provides one of the best sceneries for bird watching as compared to other sectors.

You can have a ride on Lake Mutanda using the dugout wooden canoe to other side of the forest and you will be able to enjoy viewing the various colourful bird species and at the same time, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery provided by the Virunga volcano that lies at the Uganda- Rwanda boarder.

Hiking in Nkuringo Region

After enjoying gorilla trekking in Nkuringo sector, the tourists can proceed to Buhoma the next morning by having a nature walk through the forest via the Ivy and Kashasha rivers as you enjoy the great views in the forest like he beautiful bird species singing in the air, as well as seeing the primates like the monkeys and many others as they move in the forest.

You will be able to reach Buhoma in lunch time hours from where you can enjoy your lunch. When at Buhoma, you can still continue with a nature walk to the village of the Batwa and Bakiga local people where you will meet with many cultural activities like the cultural performances in dance and songs which depict their past life in the forest, meeting the amazing blacksmiths as well as the traditional healer who treats the sick using local herbs extracted from the plants, observing the making of the various art and craft materials like the baskets, bags, mats, sandals and many others that are made by the talented local people of these communities.

You will discover many activities of the Batwa people like hunting, fishing as well as enjoying story telling about their past life and the daily way of life. Nkuringo region of Bwindi has got favorable accommodation facilities like clouds mountain gorilla lodge for luxury, Nkuringo Safari lodge for the budget option and Nkuringo gorilla camp for midrange. These accommodation facilities offer great meals that provide great taste.