Nkuringo sector

Among the four sectors that are found in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, Nkuringo sector is one of them which are situated in the southern sector of the park. Besides Nkuringo sector in Bwindi forest national park, there is Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector as well as Ruhija sector which are harbor the habituated mountain gorilla families that are open for tourism throughout the year. Although Buhoma is the best gorilla trekking sector, Nkuringo sector has got incredible uniqueness that it offers to all travelers that visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Besides the gorilla trekking experience in Nkuringo sector, travelers have an advantage to encounter the views of Virunga volcanoes, the wonder and beautiful crater lakes as well as the rolling hills of the forest thus giving travelers extra unforgettable experience on top of the gorilla trekking fascinating adventure.

Gorilla Trekking Experience in Nkuringo sector.

Nkuringo sector offers one of the perfect true lifetime experiences in the jungle as far as gorilla trekking is concerned in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Nkuringo sector is located in the most high altitude and montane hilly areas of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The sector is mostly liked by the travelers who are physically fit and prefer hiking due to fact that gorilla trekking in Nkuringo sector takes long hours of hiking in the forest. Nkuringo sector harbors about 3 habituated gorilla families such as the Nkuringo gorilla family, Christmas Gorilla Family as well as Bushaho Gorilla family.

Nkuringo family, this was the first habituated gorilla family thus the origin of its name “Nkuringo sector”. It has about 19 members that were once led by Nkuringo silverback gorilla before it died in 2008, and then other mature silverback gorilla took over. It has about 3 juvenile young gorillas, 2 silver-backs, 2 adult females, 2 sub-adults, 1 black back which are calm and so welcoming when they meet with human beings.

Christmas gorilla family, it is composed of 9 individuals which are led by silver gorilla called “Christmas” and it is new habituated gorilla family that has been recently opened for gorilla tourism. The name Christmas was given to silverback gorilla due to the fact that it was born on Christmas day.

Bushaho gorilla family, this group has about 8-10 individuals led by Bahati adult silverback which originated from Nkuringo family then it separated to form its own group that was habituated and it now open for gorilla tourism throughout the year.

Just like any other gorilla family in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, a maximum of 8 people are allowed to see the mountain a gorilla family in its natural habitat and the gorilla trekking permit costs 600 USD per person per day. However it is important to note that by June 2020 the gorilla trekking permit will cost 700 USD per person therefore we advise travelers to make advance booking so that they can secure a gorilla permit that will  allow them to participate in the activity. Advance booking should be done due to fact that during the dry season which the peak season, there is high demand for the gorilla trekking experience therefore permits tend to be sold out thus becoming very difficult for travelers who did not make advance booking for the gorilla permit to trek.

Besides gorilla trekking experience in Nkuringo sector, there are other alternative activities to enjoy that will offer travelers extra extraordinary experiences while on their gorilla safari in Bwindi forest. Such as forest walks, community visit, bird watching experience among others.  As travelers enjoy nature walk in the forest will have an insight to encounter with other wildlife animals that will be spotted in Bwindi forest such as L’Hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons, the black and white colobus monkeys and chimpanzees among others.

How to access Nkuringo sector

Nkuringo sector can be accessed on road transport using a 4×4 safari vehicle from Kampala or Entebbe via Masaka-Mbarara road then kibale and finally in Nkuringo sector as well as by air transport.

On road transport, from Kampala to Nkuringo sector of Bwindi forest it will take travelers about 9-10 hours’ drive to access Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The sector is accessed via Buhoma sector going through Kabale – Butogota route and later to your lodge in Nkuringo sector.

From queen Elizabeth national park from Mweya peninsular Nkuringo sector can be accessed via Ishasha sector giving travelers an insight  to encounter with the famous tree climbing lions situated in Ishasha sector then go through kihihi- Buhoma and finally access Nkuringo sector.  From Ishasha sector of queen Elizabeth national park, it about 4-5 hours’ drive to access Nkuringo sector.

Alternatively, there are domestic flights at Entebbe international airport that operate safaris to Bwindi impenetrable forest national such as aero link, Uganda airlines among others. From kajjansi airstrip of Entebbe international airport, it will take travelers only one hour to reach Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and travelers will land in kihihi or kisoro airstrip and later they will be transferred to their accommodation lodge in Nkuringo sector in a few hours.

Accommodation lodges in Nkuringo sector.

There is a wide range of accommodation options that is situated in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park that travelers can use while on their gorilla trekking experience. Nkuringo sector is a home to budget accommodation options, mid-range options as well as luxury lodges. Such as Nkuringo gorilla lodge, Nkuringo gorilla campsites, Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, clouds mountain gorilla lodge among others.