Book Now

Nkuringo Gorilla Permits – Availability and Numbers

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.

Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking Safaris
Rafiki, the late Nkuringo gorilla family silverback

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

Compliments to your Nkuringo Gorilla Tours

  • 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

Nkurindo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Nkurindo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

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.



Magical Gorilla Adventures TripAdvisor
Magical Gorilla Adventures Google Reviews
Uganda Tourism Board
Magical Gorilla Adventures TripAdvisor Travellers Choice

Why you should choose us?

We are beautiful one day and perfect the next! Book with us and book it out of here!

1

Who we are

We are a passion-drive travel agency that will make you love Africa even more than us.

Read more
2

Booking with us

We offer very flexible booking terms that you'll love. We make it easy for you to book or reschedule your trips.

Read more
3

Our promise to you

We promise you make you fall in love with Africa through our tailor-made safari holidays

Read more
4

Values & commitments

We are commited to offering you the best service as possible. Your experience & comfort always comes first.

Read more
5

Our cause

A small portion of our profits proceeds towards supporting single mothers in local communities.

Read more

How we work

To offer a more rewarding way to travel, we do stuff the right way; right from the planning process.

1
We pay attention

We will spend time and pay attention to your expectations, then propose an experience that you might like.

2
We complement

Next we will discuss our selected options, point out the best safaris for you and make awesome recommendations.

3
We hold your booking

We will tentatively hold your booking and make reservations while we talk through the safari details or make changes.

Speak to an expert to start planning your African safari holiday...

Give a call to one of our specialists or arrange a video meeting/session for awesome ideas and safari advice.

+256 787 23 0575
Eddie Safari Guide
Ronnie Safari Guide
×Chat with us