A Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Nkuringo Sector : The Nkuringo sector is one of four gorilla trekking sectors in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Nkuringo sector is home to three habituated gorilla families: the Nkuringo gorilla family, the Bushaho gorilla family, and the Christmas gorilla family, all of which are available for trekking on a regular basis.
Aside from the Nkuringo sector, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes place in the Buhoma sector in the north, the Ruhija sector in the east, and the Rushaga area in the south. Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park, and Kahuzi Biega national park in Congo all provide gorilla trekking.
A Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Nkuringo Sector.
Nkuringo sector, located appropriately in the southern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park, is incredibly one of the four primary trailheads where treks begin in this specific area. Buhoma is located in the north, Ruhija is in the east, and Rushaga is in the south.
Nkuringo is surprisingly one of the most popular areas that provide incredible gorilla trekking experiences to travelers on Uganda gorilla safaris. Some of you who have taken the initiative to monitor mountain gorillas in this sector may attest to what this area has to offer.
Gorilla tracking began here in 2004 with 8 licenses available for a fee to visit the Nkuringo group. Pilot monitoring of the Nshongi group at Rushaga, about 17 kilometers from Nkuringo in the park’s southern part, began in July 2008.
The Nshongi group first opened to tourists in September 2009, with 8 permits available per day. Mishaya and Kahungye, two more habituated populations, are also followed from the Rushaga visitor center. The habituated gorilla family in this sector is Nkuringo, which was the first.
Why you should do Gorilla Trekking in Nkuringo Sector?
The Nkuringo sector is located in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is home to the famed Nkuringo gorilla family group, which is said to be the most intriguing group to see with 19 gorilla family members and yet the most difficult group to walk while in Uganda.
A visit to the Bwindi’s Nkuringo sector rewards tourists with spectacular vistas of the wonderful terrain and landscapes of Kabale, as well as the Congo’s Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. Nkuringo similarly only permits 8 visitors per day to its gorilla family group. The Nkuringo gorilla family group shares the Rushaga section of the park with the Nshongi gorilla family group.
Nkuringo sector in Bwindi Forest national park is roughly 45 kilometers from the signposted intersection on the Kabale-Kisoro road, and it takes around 3 hours to go there from Kabale. Moving from Kampala, Nkuringo may be reached by bus via the Kabale-Kisoro road, which takes between 11 and 12 hours. You can charter a private car to the Nkuringo part of the forest from Kisoro.
The Nkuringo sector is accessible by daily bus from Kampala to Buhoma via Kihihi or Butogota. To go to Buhoma, you must take a private rental cab from either Kihihi or Butogota. And, in the morning, take a 5- to 7-hour woodland nature walk across the park to the Nkuringo area.
Aside from mountain gorilla tracking in this sector, you will have a Forest Nature Walk along the Ivy and Kashasha rivers to and from the Nkuringo and Buhoma sectors of the Bwindi forest, arriving in the Buhoma region by lunchtime.
You may also visit the Batwa Pygmies and learn more about their way of life and varied cultural traditions such as hunting and fishing in the forest. They also entertain guests with traditional music and dancing, storytelling, and other activities.
Visitors visiting Nkuringo sector in Bwindi forest national park are treated to the best scenic and birding sights, including a ride on Lake Mutanda in a dugout wooden canoe to the other side, where they can enjoy the beautiful sights of bird species in the forest while also viewing the scenic views of the Virunga Volcanoes on the Uganda-Rwanda border.
When is the Best Time to go Gorilla Trekking in Nkuringo Sector?
The greatest time to undertake gorilla trekking in Nkuringo sector in Bwindi Forest National Park is during the dry season, also known as the peak season, which occurs in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.
Because there is less rainfall in the park during the dry season, the gorilla trekking paths are dry and manageable, as opposed to the rainy season, when the pathways are muddy and slippery, making walking difficult.
Other Activities offered in Nkuringo Sector in Bwindi Forest National Park.
Guided Nature walks.
In addition to gorilla treks, the Nkuringo region is perfect for wildlife or forest hikes. Nature enthusiasts can participate in this activity in the morning and evening at the starting location. If you are traveling from the Buhoma area, use the Kabale Butogota-Buhoma route and then connect to the Nkuringo road. Nature/forest walks allow you to see a variety of primates such as monkeys, baboons, forest pigs, and others.
Bird Watching
Nkuringo sector in Bwindi Forest national park is also ideal for birding, with opportunities to see African emerald cuckoos, white tailed blue flycatchers, short tailed warblers, yellow eyed black catcher, Kivu ground thrush, Africa blue flycatcher, yellow eyed black flycatcher, garners warblers, African blue flycatcher, black bee-eaters, to name a few. You must be prepared with your equipment, especially binoculars, for superb views of the many bird species.
Community/Cultural Tours.
Cultural encounters in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Forest national park are available for cultural aficionados, particularly at the Batwa and Bakiga community settlements. You may learn more about local customs, conventions, and civilizations while enjoying a cultural safari in this area.
There are well-trained guides who will gladly take you through the banana plantations and other gardens that add to the beauty of the community hiking trails. On a cultural tour of this village, you may experience the distinctive traditional dances, music, and poetry performed by local artists. While on a cultural tour in the Batwa and Bakiga communities, you may also participate in a variety of exciting activities.
How to get to Nkuringo Sector in Bwindi Forest National Park?
Nkuringo sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi Forest National Park and is accessible by both road and air.
When traveling by road, you will go from Kampala to Bwindi’s Nkuringo sector via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and finally to Nkuringo, which will take around 8 to 9 hours.
You may also reach Nkuringo sector in Bwindi forest national park by flying to Kigali International Airport and then connecting to the Nkuringo sector via the Cyanika border in Kisoro or the Katuna border in Kabale, which takes around 4 to 5 hours.
Nkuringo sector may also be reached by air, with charter or regular domestic flights from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip and then by road to the park headquarters.
Where to stay during gorilla trekking safaris in Nkuringo Sector in Bwindi Forest National Park?
Gorilla heights lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Bwindi backpackers lodge, Mutanda eco community Centre, Nshongi camp, Chameleon hill lodge, and others are among the accommodation options available in the Nkuringo sector for your gorilla trekking safari.
In summary, The above article acts as a guide to gorilla trekking in Nkuringo sector.
