Nkuringo is one of the four sectors of the famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This part of the park offers wide, amazing 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. Book a Uganda trek to see how a Nkuringo visit fits into your safari.
How the Nkuringo Gorilla Family Got Its Name
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,” meaning “round,” because they were first sighted on the Nkuringo hills in Bwindi. The hill has a rounded crest instead of a peak.
Leadership and Habituation History
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. The Uganda Wildlife Authority decided to habituate the family to address this issue.
The Nkuringo Family Today
The Nkuringo gorilla family has 19 members and is one of the more interesting groups to visit, as it includes twins. However, it is also one of the harder gorilla families to trek in Bwindi, due to the challenging terrain.
Trekking in the Nkuringo sector also provides wide views of Bwindi National Park. In December 2000, there was an outbreak of scabies within the family.
What to Expect When Trekking Nkuringo
Because the Nkuringo gorilla family lives at higher elevations than many other habituated families in Bwindi, trekking here tends to appeal more to visitors who are physically fit and comfortable with a demanding hike. The reward, however, is significant: the steep terrain that makes the trek challenging also produces some of the widest, most striking views found anywhere in the park, with the Virunga volcanoes often visible in the distance on clear days.
Given the difficulty of the terrain and the popularity of the sector for tourists starting their trips from Rwanda, it’s worth booking a Nkuringo permit well in advance and coordinating accommodation nearby, since lodges in this sector fill up quickly during peak season.
