Nkuringo Gorilla Trek

Why Trek Mountain Gorillas In Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi

Nkuringo sector is part  of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park situated in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Nkuringo is among the 4 sectors located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where  Mountain Gorillas reside. Nkuringo does complement Buhoma in the North, Ruhija sector found in the East and Rushaga which is in the south, all of which are located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Nkuringo sector shelters the famous Gorilla family called Nkuringo. It’s in this section(Nkuringo) where Gorilla Trekking activity is very easy since this Gorilla family is easy and very interesting to trek. Bahati (silverback) is the leader of this Gorilla Family who separated from Nshongi Gorilla family which resides in Rushaga section hence creating his own family/group, also consists of 19 members. Like how rules and regulations are in any other Gorilla family that only 8 Gorilla permits are there since only 8 trekkers are allowed a day to trek Mountain Gorillas. Nkuringo Gorilla family was in 2009 Habituated and that’s when initially the 1st group of trekkers visited the Gorilla family. Nkuringo section also gave back trekkers with magnificent spotting of the Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira in Virunga National Park (DRC).

Travel option to Nkuringo section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park                                                Nkuringo section is easily accessed if you drive from kabale district at about a distance of roughly 45 km using kabale Kisoro highway taking a duration of 3 hrs from kabale. Trekkers can still drive straight from Kisoro direct to Nkuringo section. The section(Nkuringo) via Buhoma sector using the kabale Butogota route one can still reach. However, if using public means, you are advised to rent private cars because there are no Buses or taxis driving straight to this section(Nkuringo). The drive duration from Kampala to Nkuringo sector of Bwindi is approximately 9-10 hrs basing on the stop overs you will have to make, weather conditions and so on.

What else can you do after Gorilla Trekking in this Section(Nkuringo)                                                     

1. Alongside the activity of Gorilla Trekking, this section of Nkuringo is also best with Nature walks. This activity is usually performed Early in the morning and also in the Evenings beginning at various points. Trekkers travelling from Buhoma section if tourists used the route of Kabale-Butogota-Buhoa-Nkuringo have gotten high chances of relishing the Nature walk – Nkuringo section. A Nature walk through Nkuringo enables trekkers to peacefully enjoy the calm & natural environment as well as a high chance of meeting various animals such as Baboons, Monkeys and Forest pigs which make your tour more interesting.
2. Birding/Bird watching is another activity you should not want to miss out of your Gorilla Tour to this sector of Bwindi(Nkuringo). This activity is well done during the nature walks and trekkers do relish the magnificent singing of these birds up in the forest trees, and here expect to spot birds like African Emerald cuckoo, white tailed blue flycatcher, short tailed warbler, yellow eyed black catcher Kivu ground thrush, Africa blue flycatcher, black bee eater, yellow eyed black flycatcher and garners warbler and in such an activity Binoculars are highly recommended for you to carry in order to closely spot birds even those at afar view.
3. Cultural encounters( visit the Batwa and Bakiga communities) to get to know more about their culture, local traditions and norms. Well experienced local guides through banana plantations, and other gardens, which makes the activity more enjoyable, lead these 2 cultural communities’ trails. On reaching there (local people), trekkers/tourists are accepted to participate in local activities such as Doffing, Local food preparations, House work, etc. which are part of the community. Traditional dances, songs and poems are also performed as a way of welcoming tourists/trekkers to their community.

Accommodation in Nkuringo sector
There are Luxury, Mid-range and Budget Lodges in this section to ensure trekkers comfort and safety in the region(Nkuringo section). These lodges include Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite, Nkuringo gorilla lodge, etc. But still, trekkers are reminded of the difference in lodge costs basing on the qualitative services rendered and the lodge status. Nkuringo section is an exceptional section to visit on your gorilla tour to Bwindi impenetrable National Park.