Booking Nkuringo gorilla permits means trekking with gorillas in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi.
The Nkuringo Region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is situated in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in Kisoro district.
Nkuringo sector of Bwindi is located at a higher altitude of 6,800 feet above sea level compared to other sectors in the park, making it the best destination for scenic viewing, where you can spot the spectacular Virunga ranges.
Nkuringo sector is ideal for photographers and adventurous travelers, but it requires physical fitness to trek in this region.
Additionally, Nkuringo sector is near Rushaga sector, where you can participate in gorilla habituation in Bwindi.
Nkuringo Gorilla Permits
Nkuringo gorilla permits cost $700 per person in Uganda, and only eight permits are allocated to each gorilla group daily.
Nkuringo gorilla permits should be booked well in advance, approximately 3-4 months before the actual trekking date, especially during the dry season due to high demand.
There are very limited permits for this sector.
Gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person.

The popular gorilla families in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi include:
- Nkuringo Gorilla Family. Nkuringo gorilla family is the habituated gorilla family in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park. The group was opened for trekking in 2004 when it was led by Nkuringo, the silverback who passed away four years later after habituation. The name “Nkuringo” is translated as “round hill” in the local language. Nkuringo gorilla family is one of the fortunate gorilla groups with twins, although one of the twins died in infancy. Currently, Nkuringo is led by the silverback named Safari and comprises 19 members. This gorilla family is well-known for their playful behavior, making it one of the best groups to trek in Bwindi.
- Christmas Gorilla Family. The Christmas gorilla family is the newly habituated gorilla family in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park. The family is led by a silverback known as Christmas and consists of 6 individuals, including 1 silverback, 1 blackback, 3 females, and one baby.
Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla habituation is the process of acclimating mountain gorillas to human presence, which can be done in Bwindi by joining researchers and rangers in the habituation process.
There are two groups in Nkuringo sector undergoing habituation.
The process takes four hours, and only 4 tourists can participate per group, compared to gorilla trekking, where you spend only 1 hour with mountain gorillas, and 8 people can trek a given family.
Other Activities in Nkuringo Region
- Cultural Encounters and Nature Walks. While in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park, tourists can visit the local Batwa people who were evicted from the forest in 1991 after coexisting with mountain gorillas for thousands of years. A local Batwa guide can take you through Buniga forest, showing you how they used to live in the forest, their hunting skills, how to make fire, and their use of different trees for healing various ailments.
- Lake Mutanda Visit. Tourists can take a day walk to Lake Mutanda and explore the stunning lake by taking a dugout canoe ride. This is a thrilling experience as you come across various wildlife, tree species, butterfly species, and more in the forest before exploring the beautiful Lake Mutanda.
Where to Stay

When obtaining gorilla permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, tourists should book accommodation in an area where they will trek gorillas from.
Some of the lodges in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.
If all lodges in Nkuringo are booked, you can stay in Rushaga sector of Bwindi.
How to Get There
Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park can be reached by road in a 10-11 hour drive from Kampala.
Visitors can also use scheduled flights available every morning from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip and then drive to Nkuringo.
You can also drive from Kigali to Bwindi national park.
When to Visit
Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park can be visited all year round, but the best time is from June to September and December to February.