Nkuringo Gorilla Sector
Nkuringo gorilla sector-Bwindi Forest-Gorilla safaris and tours. It is in the southern part of the Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. This is a home to Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas, which have been said to have 98% of the human DNA. It attracts numerous tourists worldwide who come to see the closest human relatives surviving in the misty forest of Bwindi. The Bwindi impenetrable forest is perched in the southwestern part of the pearl of Africa. Its approximately 8 to 9 hours drive from Entebbe or Kampala Uganda’s capital. Although some travelers chose to fly from the Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip using a domestic flight and you land you to Kihihi Airstrip which is the park’s nearest Airstrip from there you will be driven for a fewer kilometers.
Good for those who want challenging experiences
Bwindi’s southern sector is favorable to seasoned travelers, mostly photographers who prefer Bwindi as a challenging jungle for hiking experiences. The Nkuringo sector is subdivided into the two most famous trailheads, which are the Rushaga trailhead and the Nkuringo trailhead. Nkuringo gorilla sector takes travelers to three habituated mountain gorilla families, and there are 24 gorilla trekking permits available per day for trekkers. Then Rushaga trail head takes travelers into the forest nature with one of the 8 habituation mountain gorilla families, Rushaga sector offers 48 gorilla trekking permits available every day and other two semi habituated mountain gorilla families and one mountain gorilla family are readily available for Gorilla Habituation Experience.
Nkuringo gorilla trailhead takes about a 5-minute walk from the lodge. Travelers should note that trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest’s southern sector is somehow physically challenging, so travelers need to be physically fit to visit the Nkuringo and Rushanga sectors.
When did it come into existance?
Nkuringo gorilla sector began in April 2004 after the mountain gorilla habituation group was started in 1996. The mountain gorilla group rangers lived along the Kashasha river valley, part of the Nteko ridge, and could often be found a few meters from the indigenous people outside the park.
The Nkuringo gorilla sector became popular because of its rewarding photographic nature and because mountain gorillas moved from the thick tropical rain forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the buffer zone, which is the feeding grounds for these mountain gorillas. So, trekkers could walk down the Kashasha valley, where the most beautiful mountain gorilla families reside. Each trekker always returns with beautiful, interesting photos of the mountain gorilla group. Nkuringo has become so famous and and many Uganda mountain gorilla safari trekkers cannot miss it.
Head of Nkuringo Gorilla
The Nkuringo Gorilla Group was headed by the silverback called Nkuringo, who led the mountain gorilla family till 2012 and later died when he was 45 years old. The Nkuringo gorilla group had three silverbacks, namely Safari, Christmas, and Rafiki. A silver steelhead named Safari led the group and later disappeared to start another family called the Bushago Gorilla Family. Rafiki took over the leadership of the family until his assassination in June 2020.
What makes Nkuringa a unique tourist destination?
Treks Sector Nkuringo and Mountain Gorilla Trekking offer the most challenging gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Benavo National Forest.
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking is an amazing experience that begins early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. After the briefing, tourists will trek to a family of mountain gorillas and a park ranger will take you on a rain forest trail. Tourists also have the opportunity to see other species of primates such as monkeys, tree species and birds while listening to the melodious sounds of different species of birds. Once you locate the mountain gorilla family, travelers have an hour to watch mountain gorillas as they feed, play, and swing on the tree branches.
Only 8 travelers participate in gorilla trekking per group, and travelers should be at least 15 years old. Travelers cannot participate in the gorilla trekking experience without a gorilla trekking permit. Pamoja Tours and Travel can help you get one as soon as possible. They know more information about the gorilla permit process. Uganda gorilla permits cost $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX250,000 for East African citizens to get a gorilla trekking permit. Travelers are to pack warm clothes, boots, rubber, long-sleeved clothes, and insect repellent, among others.
Nkuringo Forest Walk
Nkuringo Section is ideal for nature lovers. The sector is exclusive in the morning and evening. The Nkuringo forest walk can start from the Buhoma or Kabale Butogota-Buhoma section, which connects hikers to the Nkuringo route. While walking in the forest, you can meet many species of primates such as monkeys, baboons, forest pigs, forest elephants and trees.
Bird watching in Nkuringo Section
Nkuringo Section is ideal for bird watching as visitors can see different species of birds. These include the African emerald cuckoo, the short-tailed flycatcher, the blue-horned flycatcher. There is also the African blue flycatcher, the yellow-eyed black flycatcher, and the black bee. including others.
Cultural Experience
The Nkuringo section of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located in the south; Never leave without attending a cultural encounter with the Batwa and Bakiga communities. In it, tourists enjoy unique traditional dances, folk songs, poetry and other local performances, ending with a wonderful and unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
Accommodation in Nkuringo Gorilla sector
Nkuringo area offers comfortable apartments surrounded by beautiful scenery, from luxury to budget. The Nkuringo section includes Gorilla Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Hammerkop Bunkhouse and many more.
Nkuringo gorilla sector-Bwindi Forest-Gorilla safaris and tours:
