The Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park is located in the southwestern part of the park, near Kisoro town to the north. Nkuringo is at a higher altitude of 6,800 feet above sea level and was opened for gorilla trekking in 2004. The Nkuringo sector is very accessible from Kigali, Rwanda, being only a 5-hour drive from the Cyanika border.
Many tourists prefer trekking gorillas in this sector of Bwindi because it offers the best views of Bwindi National Park and the Virunga Volcanoes. It is also a popular choice for Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking tours.
Nkuringo Gorilla Families
Though the number of gorilla families in Nkuringo is small, you can still stay in Nkuringo and trek gorillas in the nearby Rushaga sector because it is close to Nkuringo.
- Christmas Gorilla Family: The Christmas Gorilla Family is the newest mountain gorilla family in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park. The group consists of 1 silverback, 1 blackback, 3 females, and 1 baby. It is led by a silverback named Christmas.
- Nkuringo Gorilla Family: The Nkuringo Gorilla Family gets its name from the silverback that led the group at the time of habituation. The name “Nkuringo” means “round hills,” where the group was first spotted by trackers and rangers. The silverback Nkuringo died four years after habituation, leaving the group under the leadership of his son, Safari. The Nkuringo family was one of the lucky groups to have twins, though one twin died before reaching its second birthday. The group now has 17 members, led by Safari.
Gorilla Habituation in the Nearby Rushaga Sector
In the Rushaga sector of Bwindi, near Nkuringo, two mountain gorilla families are undergoing habituation. Gorilla habituation is the process of helping mountain gorillas become accustomed to human presence.
Bwindi National Park is the only gorilla park that allows visitors to join trekkers and researchers in their daily work of habituation. With habituation, visitors spend four hours with mountain gorillas, unlike gorilla trekking, which allows only one hour.
Where to Sleep in Nkuringo
When booking gorilla permits for the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park, it is recommended to book accommodation in this sector or in the Rushaga sector.
Some of the lodges to stay in include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Crested Crane Bwindi Lodge, and Nkuringo Gorilla Camp.
Gorilla Permits
Uganda gorilla permits for the Nkuringo sector can be obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted tour company. The cost of permits is $800 per person per trek, and gorilla habituation permits cost $1,500 per person.
Children under 15 years of age and people with communicable diseases like flu and cough are not allowed to trek mountain gorillas. It is important to book your gorilla permit 3-5 months in advance before arriving in Uganda.
Best Time to Visit
The Nkuringo sector of Bwindi can be visited all year round, but the best months are June to September and December to February.
