Nkuringo Sector
Nkuringo sector is found in the southern region of Bwindi impenetrable forest in the northern part of Kisoro town. Nkuringo sector is also one of the four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable national park where gorilla trekking is carried out. This sector is located on a high altitude of about 6800 feet hence making trekking gorillas strenuous for the visitors to hike and therefore gorilla trekking in Nkuringo sector is recommended for the energetic, physically fit and young travelers who are adventurous so as to enjoy the hike.
Nkuringo sector is a home of three habituated gorilla families namely Nkuringo family, Chrismas family, and Bushaho family which offer great experiences to the visitors on a safari in Bwindi national park in south western Uganda. Nkuringo sector is a destination which offers great scenic views of kabala landscapes and Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira in Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo Sector
Gorilla trekking is an activity where visitors move in the dense tropical forests of Bwindi national park in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo sector is carried out on three gorilla families where a maximum number of 8 people are allowed to trek each gorilla family and spend a maximum of one in the presence of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat learning about their lifestyles, behaviors, taking photos with flashless cameras, capturing the moments among others, the gorilla groups in Nkuringo sector include
Nkuringo family, this was the first gorilla family to be habituated in southern part of Bwindi national park in 1997 and was open for trekking in 2004. Nkuringo is a local name which means hills where the group was first sighted and is neighbored by the Nshongi gorilla family in the Rushaga sector. Nkuringo family is an interesting gorilla group for trekking that was comprised of 19 individuals after habituation and is currently comprised of 12 members and is open for 8 people everyday hence 8 gorilla trekking permits available. Nkuringo family is dominated by Rafiki which means friend in Swahili after the death of Nkuringo silverback in 2008. Nkuringo family is also known as the first family to give birth to gorilla twins in December 2004 namely Katungi and Muhozi but Katungi later died after a year. It is also known for searching for food outside the park for most of the time.
Christmas gorilla family, this is latest and a newly habituated gorilla group in Nkuringo sector that is open for gorilla trekking and its introduction has increased the number of gorilla permits in Nkuringo sector in Bwindi national park. Christmas family was the third group to be habituated in Nkuringo sector and is led by Christmas silverback that was born on Chrismas day hence the name. The group is comprised of 9 members but during trekking, only 6 members are viewed which include one black back, three adult females and one infant baby.
Bushaho gorilla family, this is one of the habituated gorilla families in Nkuringo sector open for trekking. Bushaho family is known as the toughest group to track in Bwindi national park and is comprised of 8 members including one black back, one sub-adult, one juvenile, one infant, one sub-adult, 2 toddlers and three adult female gorillas and is dominated by Bahati silverback who was once a member of the Nkuringo gorilla family.
Nkuringo sector has 24 available gorilla trekking permits where a maximum number of 8 people are allowed to trek a gorilla family and spend a maximum of one hour in the presence of the gorillas. Gorilla trekking permits in Nkuringo sector just like other sectors in Bwindi national park are offered to adults above the age of 15 years and a single permit costs $600 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for foreign residents and UGX 250, 000 for East African citizens. The permits can be acquired via booking directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority head offices in Kampala or booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris.
Nkuringo sector offers other activities apart from gorilla trekking which visitors can engage in when on a safari in Uganda
Bird watching, Bwindi national park is a home of over 348 bird species and Nkuringo sector is the best destination for bird watching compared to other sectors. Bird watching starts early in the morning and can be done in the Bwindi forest and on Lake Mutanda where you will have a ride using a dugout wooden canoe to the other side of the forest where you will be able to enjoy sweet bird sounds singing in the trees, view various bird species using binoculars for closer views of birds in a far distance including African blue fly catcher, Black bee-eater, Kivu ground thrush, Garners warbler, Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, White tailed blue flycatcher, Short-tailed warbler, African emerald cuckoo.
Nature walks / hiking, nature walks in Nkuringo sector are done either in the morning or in the evening where you can start either from Nkuringo or Buhoma and takes about three hours to Lake Mutanda. Hiking in this area doesn’t need a guide because there are many people who are willing to help with the routes to take in the villages at an affordable price and is done through Bwindi forest via the Ivy and Kashasha Rivers where you will have beautiful views of bird species. During hiking in Nkuringo sector you will explore the natural environment visit the surrounding communities, spend an overnight and then continue to Lake Mutanda. You will view different bird species, primates like Monkeys, Baboons and animals like Forest pigs, Bushbucks, Warthogs among others.
Cultural encounters, this is one of the interesting activities in Nkuringo sector where you will visit the Bakiga community and the Batwa people where you will have an encounter with different cultural activities, for example, the traditional performances inform of dances, songs, storytelling among others. Observe the local people making art and craft materials like mats, baskets, huts, sandals, bags among others which are sold at an affordable price to travelers. You will also discover the Batwa or pygmy activities which include fishing, hunting, gathering, and their story telling and songs about their past life in the forest and learn their hunting, gathering skills, visit the banana plantations, engage in the preparation of local dishes among others.
Boat ride on Lake Mutanda, this is an adventurous activity in the Nkuringo sector which takes about one hour crossing the lake to get to Kisoro and continue to Mgahinga national park. Visitors will be able to explore to the other side of the forest using a dugout wooden canoe while enjoying the beautiful sights of bird species, community landscapes, Bwindi forest, Virunga volcanoes among others hence giving you great experiences on your safari.
Where to stay in Nkuringo Sector
Nkuringo sector as a gorilla destination area offers luxury, midrange and budget accommodation where visitors can stay while on a safari in Uganda including clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Nkuringo gorilla camp, Nkuringo gorilla lodge, Hammerkop bunkhouse among others which offer safety, comfortable shelter, prepare local and international dishes, offer free wireless internet, great scenic views of the Virunga Mountains, surrounding landscapes and Bwindi forest, drinks, spa services among others which help the visitors to relax and have fun in the cool environments after a gorilla trekking activity in Bwindi national park
How to get to Nkuringo Sector in Bwindi National Park
Nkuringo sector can be accessed by road where from Kampala you drive through Mbarara, kabale- Kisoro road then to Nkuringo, the drive takes around 10 hours and from kabala to Kisoro its around 45km and a 3 hours drive. You can also use a route from Kampala via fort portal to Nkuringo which takes about 12 hours drive. Visitors can also fly from Entebbe airport to Rwanda- Kigali international airport and drive through the Cyanika border to Nkuringo sector which takes about 5 hours drive.
When to visit Nkuringo Sector in Bwindi National Park
Nkuringo sector is a great destination for gorilla trekking and can be visited any time throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, December, January and February when there is minimal rainfall because during the wet season the grounds are always wet, muddy and slippery. However due to the fact that Bwindi national park is a tropical rainforest rain can be expected any time whether it’s a dry season or not hence visitors are advised to carry different gorilla trekking equipments including the hiking boots, long sleeved shirts and trousers, garden gloves, warm sweater, waterproof rain jacket/poncho, waterproof back pack, insect repellent which will protect you from the rain and a camera that will be used to capture the moments on during the one hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat.
Nkuringo sector is a rewarding destination where you combine gorilla trekking with other activities like birding, nature walks among others, have great scenic views of the beautiful landscapes in Kabale, Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyimurangira in Virunga national park hence giving you thrilling and magnificent memorable experiences on a safari in Uganda.
