Nkuringo Gorilla sector of Bwindi
Nkuringo is one of the gorilla sectors to include Buhoma and Ruhija in nothern part in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park a home to mountain gorillas/. The sector is located in the southern part of the park near the Rushaga sector. Nkuringo Sector is known for mountain gorilla trekking where some of the wild mountain gorillas have been habituated and are used to human presence around them.
Nkuringo sector on the southern side of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is home to 3 mountain gorilla families all of which are fully habituated. Christmas, Nkuringo, and Bushaho are the three mountain gorilla families that tourists can visit at any time of the year. Nkuringo sector is not only home to mountain gorillas but also mammals, primates, and different bird species which tourists can encounter on a safari to this sector.
Top activities done in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi
Mountain gorilla trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking is the main reason as to why tourists visit the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The hilly sector is home to so far 3 mountain gorilla families namely Nkuringo, Christmas, and Bushaho. A few years ago it was one of the places to visit for habituation but all families are now used to human presence around them and open for gorilla trekking activities.
Mountain gorilla trekking in the Nkuringo sector is an everyday activity that starts at the park headquarters with a briefing from the rangers. All trekkers for the day are briefed about the rules and regulations of the activity before heading into the jungle. A maximum of 8 people treks a mountain gorilla family and they are led by armed ranger guides.
While searching for mountain gorillas in the Nkuringo sector, different trekking trails are used as each comes with an opportunity to see some of the attractions of the park like mammals, primates, and birds among others. Once the mountain gorillas are spotted, trekkers are given one hour to be around them as they carry out daily activities.
Cultural Tours
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is surrounded by the Batwa pygmies that once lived in the forest but were evicted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority at the time of gazetting the forest into a national park ark. On a safari to Nkuringo, you can meet the Batwa homes and interact with the locals.
When tourists visit the Batwa pygmies, they get an opportunity to know how life was in the forest. They get to know the foods they eat, how they treat diseases, and how they live alongside wild animals. The Batwa Pygmies have traditional dancers who entertain tourists through dance and drama at the end of the visit.
Nature walks in Nkuringo sector
Nature walks are other possible activities that can be carried out in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi. Nature walks in Nkuringo sector help tourists to get so close to nature and see the different attractions of the park. During the Nature walks in Nkuringo sector, tourists use different trails some of which come with an opportunity to see forest mammals, primates, and birds. Tourists also get to meet some of the local people who live around the park.
The best time to visit the Nkuringo sector
Tourists who are interested in visiting the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park can do so at any time of the year however the dry season is the best time. June to September and December to February are the best times to visit the park when there is little rainfall and plenty of sunshine.
During the dry season, the trekking trails are dry and passable which eases the movement of trekkers. The vegetation is short and scattered with good views of mountain gorillas and other forest attractions. The roads leading to the park are in very good condition which enables travelers to reach the park on time.
Tourists can still visit the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi in the rainy season from March to May and October to November. The park is always open for mountain gorilla trekking however this period has plenty of rainfall and received little sunshine. The rainy season favors budget travelers who are looking for budget tour packages because the lodges reduce prices.
Safari to Nkuringo sector during the rainy season must know that there is plenty of rainfall which makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery. The vegetation is very tall and thick which gives unclear views of mountain gorillas and other attractions in the park. The roads leading to the park are in poor conditions and on days when it rains heavily, safari vehicles may get stuck which can increase the time taken to reach any destination.
Getting to the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi
Tourists can get to the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in a single day by using road transport or air transport. By air transport, the closest airstrip to use is Kisoro airstrip. Flight companies like Aerolink Uganda, and Bar Aviation Uganda enable tourists to fly to Kisoro and get to the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi.
By road transport, tourists can access the Nkuringo sector from Entebbe Uganda, or Kigali Rwanda. From Kigali, the journey is too short taking about 3 to 4 hours when tourists cross to Uganda through Kyanika or Katuna border. From Entebbe, the journey goes through Mpigi, Masaka, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, and Kisoro to Nkuringo.
Accommodation on a safari to Nkuringo sector
Tourists who intend to visit the Nkuringo sector for gorilla trekking need to stay around the sector a night before gorilla trekking. This is done to enable the trekkers to reach the sector headquarters on the day of the briefing on time. Lodges to use include Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and Gorilla Leisure Lodge to Mention but a few.
