Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking From Kigali: The Most Scenic Route to Uganda’s Gorillas
The Nkuringo sector is one of the best regions any enthusiastic primate trekker should consider exploring. Nkuringo gorilla trekking from Kigali provides a fantastic adventure into the heart of Uganda’s lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Nkuringo gorilla trekking session offers visitors the chance to observe the unique mountain gorillas up close in the jungle.
Driving from Kigali to Nkuringo for gorilla trekking offers a more convenient route. You shorten the long hours if you depart from Kampala/Entebbe City.
Location of Nkuringo and Its Gorilla Families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Nkuringo is a Southern gorilla sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Nkuringo is most popular for its unforgettable mountain gorilla encounters. Crossing from Kigali via Chanika border or Katuna to Nkuringo sector takes about 4-5 hours. At Nkuringo, expect to explore fully habituated gorilla groups, including the Nkuringo group, led by the Nkuringo silverback, who unfortunately died in 2008. The Nkuringo group is one of the numerous habituated gorilla families that guarantee captivating encounters in the wild.
The Nkuringo family has recorded several members, including Rafiki silverback, Kirungi, Bahati, Magara, Kwesima, and Muhozi. Some of these gorillas have already left and begun their own gorilla families.
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla family originates from the Nkuringo family. Up to 9 members make up the Christmas gorilla group. It contains about three female mountain gorillas and other individuals. Posho gorilla family is a new habituated gorilla family group and a fantastic addition to the Nkuringo gorilla groups. Overall, the three habituated gorilla groups translate to 24 valid gorilla permits.
Gorilla trekking in the Nkuringo sector involves exploring a fully habituated gorilla group. Gorillas are social, and a single group can comprise 5 to 30 members. A silverback gorilla usually heads a single gorilla group.
Valid Nkuringo Gorilla Permits and How to Book From Kigali
Whether you intend to begin your Nkuringo gorilla trekking from Kigali or from Kampala, a valid permit is required for all guests. Each gorilla permit for Nkuringo gorilla trekking costs USD 800 per person for all foreign non-residents, USD 700 for residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens (including Ugandan citizens).
Obtaining the Nkuringo gorilla permits is so easy when you deal with an expert like Native Africa Tours. The first step to trekking gorillas in the Nkuringo is to book your gorilla permit, and our team is always on standby to guide you through every step. Contact us now and let us book a permit for you, along with the entire gorilla safari. The process to secure Nkuringo permits is a bit tedious, but luckily, any movement involved, our team is set for that without you taking a flight.
We understand how challenging it can be to fly to Uganda or any gorilla destination, to book a permit, then return home to wait for the actual tour. We make every step easier for you, and once everything is put together, you can only travel set for the actual trekking session in the gorilla sector, your choice. A scanned copy of the Nkuringo gorilla permit has been sent to you at the email address you provided.
Extra Activities to Enjoy Besides Gorilla Trekking in Nkuringo
Nkuringo is one of the best regions to enjoy not only captivating gorilla treks but also other experiences. In the Nkuringo sector, safari activities to add on to your gorilla package include birding/bird-watching, Batwa cultural tour, and more.
Bird-watching in Nkuringo involves observing a diverse array of birds, including black bee-eaters, white-tailed blue flycatchers, African blue flycatchers, African emerald cuckoos, short-tailed warblers, and more.
Cultural experiences are enjoyable in the Bakiga and Batwa pygmy communities. During the cultural safari, expect to explore the distinct cultures and traditions of the Batwa and Bakiga people.
Nature walking–Nkuringo also offers amazing walking experiences along its hiking trails. You can spend about 3 to 4 hours enjoying the Buhoma-Nkuringo trail while spotting a variety of flora and fauna.
Other Gorilla Trekking Sectors in Bwindi National Park
Besides Nkuringo, Bwindi National Park also features three more sectors, each offering alluring mountain gorilla encounters. They include Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija –each of these regions has habituated gorilla groups. Overall, the four sectors in Bwindi National Park offer a range of habitats where the park’s diverse wildlife and birdlife reside. Bwindi alone currently shelters about 120 mammal species, including over 500 mountain gorillas, which live harmoniously with chimpanzees and other mammals such as forest elephants, baboons, butterflies, reptiles, and more.
When to Go for Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking From Kigali
The Nkuringo sector offers all-year-round gorilla trekking. But the dry season is the best period, characterised by low or no rainfall. The longest dry months extend from June to September, while the shorter dry season is often recorded from December to February. The peak dry season offers the best gorilla trekking adventure compared to the wet or rainy season.
Nkuringo can also be visited for a thrilling gorilla trek even during the peak wet or rainy season. The longest damp/rainy season falls around March, April, and May, and these months receive heavy rainfall. The shortest rainy season (October-November) also offers tourists the opportunity to trek with mountain gorillas in the Nkuringo region. The wet or rainy season offers mainly a budget or backpacker-friendly gorilla safari experience. The downside, though, is that heavy downpours can easily disrupt visitors. Adequate preparation is essential for a successful gorilla tour, even during the rainy season. Below is the list of things you can come along for your Nkuringo gorilla trekking expedition.
Best Time to Trek Gorillas and What to Pack for Nkuringo
The checklist of things you shouldn’t miss when packing for the Nkuringo gorilla tour in Uganda includes a pair of gardening gloves, snacks, a camera and extra batteries, a raincoat/jacket, waterproof hiking boots, a safari hat, a bottle of drinking water, long-sleeved shirts, and trousers. Good pair of socks, a thick sweater, gaiters, long hiking pants, insect repellent, and a first-aid kit.
Where to Stay–Lodges and Camps in Nkuringo Sector
The lodges and camps for overnight visitor stays in the Nkuringo range from budget to luxury. Top lodges in the Nkuringo include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Albertine Gorilla Campsite, Gorilla Heights Lodge, and many others.
Getting to Bwindi’s Nkuringo Sector From Kigali
Depart from Kigali through Katuna/Chanika border crossing, and in just 4-5 hours’ drive, you can be in the Nkuringo region–the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Access to Nkuringo from Kampala takes about 8-9 hours, and road travel requires a good 4×4 safari vehicle. An experienced driver-guide will take you to and from Nkuringo.
The alternative option of accessing Nkuringo on the Ugandan side is by flight. Taking a flight to Nkuringo involves departing from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield, and the driver-guide can transfer you to Nkuringo.
Why Book With Native Africa Tours for Your Nkuringo Safari?
Conclusively, Nkuringo gorilla trekking from Kigali offers an incredible alternative, especially for visitors with limited time who want to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda. Planning a Nkuringo gorilla safari is possible through a reliable tour operator. Talk to Native Africa Tours today to secure a gorilla safari package to the Nkuringo sector.
