Nkuringo sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is one of the popular areas visited by travelers who choose to trek gorillas in Uganda, especially on tours that begin in Kigali, Rwanda.
The other sectors in Bwindi are Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija.
Nkuringo Gorilla Families
Several gorilla families live in the Nkuringo sector. These include:
- Nkuringo Gorilla Family: This was the first gorilla family in Bwindi to be habituated and opened for visitors in 1998. In 2004, this family had twins, which was a rare event. The group was once known for moving into nearby farms, which caused some issues for local people and led to a skin disease outbreak in the family. At the time of habituation, it had 19 members. Later, it was led by a silverback called Rafiki (now deceased) and had 12 members. It is a fun group to visit because of their playful nature.
- Bushaho Gorilla Family: This family was formed after some members left the Nkuringo group. Bahati, a silverback who had been part of the Nkuringo family, was found leading a new group. Some were from Nkuringo, while others were not yet habituated. The name “Bushaho” comes from the area where they were first seen. This family has 8 members: 1 silverback, 1 blackback, 1 sub-adult, 1 infant, 1 juvenile, and 3 adult females.
- Christmas Gorilla Family: This is one of the newest groups in Nkuringo. Its habituation increased the number of gorilla permits in Nkuringo from 16 to 24 per day.
There are many places to stay in Bwindi. Where you sleep depends on your budget and where your gorilla permit is booked.
In the Nkuringo sector, you can stay at Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nshongi Camp, or Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, among others.
You can visit Bwindi at any time of the year, but the best time is during the dry months of June to September and December to February. This is when the weather is easier for trekking.
Nkuringo sector can be reached by road in about 10–11 hours from Kampala or 5 hours from Kigali.
Tourists can also fly to the park from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield.
If you are planning to trek gorillas in Nkuringo, pack hiking boots, warm clothes, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, gloves, energy snacks, and drinking water.
