Nkuringo is one of the four sectors of the famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This part of the park offers panoramic views, many other primates, and is a paradise for bird lovers. Gorilla trekking is the most popular activity in this area, and you can trek the Nkuringo mountain gorilla family.
The Nkuringo mountain gorilla family was opened for tourism in 2004 and was the only gorilla family in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at that time. The group got its name “Nkuringo,” which means “round,” because they were first sighted on the Nkuringo hills in Bwindi. The hill has a rounded crest instead of a peak.
The Nkuringo gorilla family was led by the silverback Nkuringo during habituation. He died in April 2008 and was succeeded by his two sons, Safari and the late Rafiki. The family was habituated because of ongoing conflicts with the surrounding community, as the gorillas often raided local gardens. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) decided to habituate the family to address this issue.
The Nkuringo gorilla family has 19 members and is one of the most interesting groups to visit, as it includes twins. However, it is also one of the hardest gorilla families to trek in Bwindi due to the challenging terrain. Trekking in the Nkuringo sector also provides amazing views of Bwindi National Park. In December 2000, there was an outbreak of scabies in the family.
