Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park

Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park: Besides Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga, Nkuringo is one of the four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, famous for gorilla trekking experiences and a home to mountain gorillas. This sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, sharing the same border with Rushaga. Besides gorilla trekking, the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park is also a place for gorilla habituation, where mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence.

In the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the Nkuringo sector is home to three families of completely habituated mountain gorillas. Visitors can visit the three mountain gorilla families, Christmas, Nkuringo, and Bushaho, any time of year. In addition to mountain gorillas, visitors embarking on a safari in the Nkuringo area may see animals, primates, and several bird species.

Activities to do in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park

Mountain gorilla trekking

The primary draw for visitors to the Nkuringo region of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is mountain gorilla trekking. Nkuringo, Christmas, and Bushaho are the three mountain gorilla families that currently reside in the hilly sector. It was one of the areas to visit for habituation a few years ago, but now that all households are accustomed to having people around, they are receptive to gorilla trekking activities.

In the Nkuringo sector, mountain gorilla trekking is a daily activity that begins with a ranger briefing at the park headquarters. Before entering the jungle, the day’s trekkers receive a briefing on the activity’s rules and restrictions. Trekking with a mountain gorilla family involves no more than eight individuals, and they are led by park ranger guides.

The Nkuringo sector offers a variety of trekking trails that help in the search for mountain gorillas during the gorilla trekking experience because each one offers a chance to see some of the park’s attractions, such as the animals, primates, and birds. After spotting the mountain gorillas, trekkers are allowed to spend an hour with them while they go about their regular business.

Nature walk

Another activity that may be done in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park is a nature walk. Nature walks allow visitors to experience the park’s various features and get up close and personal with nature. Visitors can use a variety of trails during nature walks, some of which offer the chance to see birds, primates, and forest creatures. Additionally, visitors can interact with some of the locals who reside in the park, such as the park’s history, lifestyle, and the social and economic aspects of these members.

Cultural Tours

The Batwa Pygmies, who originally lived in the forest but were forced out by the Uganda Wildlife Authority when the area was gazetted as a national park, encircle Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. You can visit Batwa homes and engage with the villagers on a safari in Nkuringo. Tourists can learn about their way of living in the forest when they meet the Batwa Pygmies. They learn about their diet, how they cure illnesses, and how they coexist with untamed animals. After their stay, the Batwa’s traditional dancers entertain tourists through dance and drama.

The best time to visit the Nkuringo sector

The best time to visit the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is during the dry season; however, visitors can go at any time of year. The greatest seasons to visit the park are June through September and December through February, when there is an abundance of sunshine and little rainfall.

The trekking trails are dry and accessible during the dry season, making it easier for hikers to travel around. There are good views of mountain gorillas and other forest highlights amid the sparse, short vegetation. Travellers can arrive at the park on time because the roads going there are in excellent condition.

During the wet seasons of March through May and October through November, tourists can still visit Bwindi’s Nkuringo area. Although the park is always available for mountain gorilla trekking, there has been a lot of rain and little sunshine during this time. Because the lodges lower their rates during the rainy season, budget tourists searching for inexpensive tour packages benefit.

Visitors to the Nkuringo Sector during the rainy season should be aware that the trekking trails are muddy and slick due to the heavy rainfall. Because of the dense and towering forest, it is difficult to see the mountain gorillas and other park features. The park’s roads are in bad shape, and safari vehicles may become trapped on days with a lot of rain.

Getting to the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi

In a single day, visitors can travel by plane or vehicle to the Nkuringo region of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Kisoro Airstrip is the closest airstrip for air travel. To reach the Nkuringo area of Bwindi, tourists can fly to Kisoro using airlines such as Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda. From Kigali, Rwanda, or Entebbe, Uganda, visitors can reach the Nkuringo area via road. Travelling to Uganda via the Kyanika or Katuna borders from Kigali takes too little time, roughly 3-4 hours. Mpigi, Masaka, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, and Kisoro are the stops along the way from Entebbe International Airport to the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park.

Accommodation on a safari to the Nkuringo sector

Travellers who plan to go gorilla trekking in the Nkuringo region must spend the night before the excursion. This is done to ensure that the trekkers arrive at the sector headquarters on time for the briefing. A few of the lodges available for usage are Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge, and Gorilla Leisure Lodge.