Nkuringo Region is one of the four (04) designated gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. It is considered one of the best places to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Travellers can easily get to Nkuringo on a flight from Entebbe (takes 1.5hrs) or by driving. Gorilla Trekking in Nkuringo Region
Gorilla trekking in the Nkuringo Region the southern part of the greater Bwindi impenetrable forest National park is an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed while planning a safari to Uganda. The region connects well with a Rwanda Safari (Only 5-hrs drive from Kigali or 2.5hrs from Volcanoes National Park). One can also opt to fly into Entebbe, stay overnight at one of the fabulous boutique Hotels in Entebbe, and then take an early flight with aerolink to Kisoro Where you will be met by a representative of Realm Africa Safaris™ who will then transfer you on a scenic drive to one of the Best Places to stay on a gorilla safari to Nkuringo Region.
Planning a Gorilla safari to Nkuringo Region (Bwindi Forest)
Popular for its breathtaking views & scenery, the Nkuringo region has become a favourite gorilla trekking region for travellers wanting to see the mountain gorillas on a private safari with fewer crowds. Nkuringo Region is the least crowded gorilla trekking region compared to all four locations. There are only three (03) habituated mountain gorillas that can be tracked in the Nkuringo Region – only eight (08) people can visit a particular group of gorillas which means there are only 24 gorilla permits on a daily – each gorilla permit in the Nkuringo region costs $700 per person (approximately; £510, €593, AU$951). We will now discuss in detail all the stuff you need knows when planning a gorilla safari to Nkuringo Region.
- Habituated Mountain Gorilla Families in Nkuringo Region
- Best Gorilla family to Trek in Nkuringo Region.
- Price of a Gorilla Permit in Nkuringo Region.
- Best time to visit Nkuringo Region.
- Where to Stay in Nkuringo Region.
- Best Way to get to Nkuringo Region.
- Popular Gorilla Safaris to Nkuringo Region.
Habituated Gorilla Families are found in the Nkuringo Region
The Nkuringo Gorilla trekking region has three (03) habituated mountain gorilla families; Nkuringo, Christmas, and Bishaho gorilla group.
Nkuringo Gorilla Group: Originally comprised of 3 silverbacks; Safari, Rafiki, and Christmas. The Nkuringo Gorilla family was led by Safari who unfortunately went missing (his whereabouts are still unknown) after a big fight with the then wild Bushaho gorilla group leaving Rafiki as the new leader of the Nkuringo gorilla family. Rafiki, unfortunately, lost his precious life to poaching on June/ 1 /2020.
Learn more about the Nkuringo Gorilla Family
Bushaho Gorilla Group: Originally part of the Nkuringo gorilla family, the Bushaho gorilla group is led by a silverback named Bahati who mysteriously left the Nkuringo Group. Bushaho Gorilla group is currently composed of 11 individuals including; 1 Silverback, 1 black back, 4 adult females, 2 sub-adult females, and 3 infants.
Learn more about the Bushaho Gorilla Family
Christmas Gorilla Group: This gorilla family is led by a silverback named Christmas – because he was born on Christmas day. The family is comprised of six (06) members; 1 Silverback — Christmas, 2 Adult Females, 1 Sub-adult Female, 2 Juveniles. Unlike other gorilla groups that undergo habituation ( a process that lasts 2 – 3years), the Christmas gorilla group didn’t have to undergo habituation since most of the members had moved from a previously habituated gorilla group.
Learn more about the Christmas Gorilla Family
Best Gorilla family to Trek in Nkuringo Region.
Generally speaking, all gorilla groups in Nkuringo are interesting. However, depending on your interest, we might advise the following;
- For the fairly unfit, we do recommend asking for the Bushaho gorilla group. The trek to this family has been the easiest (no guarattees) for the last couple of years. The bushaho group is also the most entertaining Gorilla group in the Nkuringo Region.
- For travelers keen on Photography, the Nkuringo Gorilla Family is your best choice. The group is known to often hang out in the open Buffer zones – providing good light for photography and filming. However, it’s important to note that the terrain to get to the Nkuringo gorilla group might be the steepest and most challenging to trek.
- The Christmas gorilla group has a dark history of having lost its last silverback Rafiki to poaching. However, the good story is that this is the only mountain gorilla group under the leadership of an un-experienced black back (not silverback!) called Rwamutwe.
Price of a Gorilla Permit in Nkuringo Region.
- $700 per person (approximately; £510, €593, AU$951) for foreign non-residents.
- $600 per person for foreign residents (proof of residence & work permit required)
- UGX250,000 per person for East African citizens (Proof of Citizenship required).
Best time to visit Nkuringo Region.
Gorilla trekking is an all-year-round activity, however, knowing the best time might be helpful In since the seasons are different, and each does come with its upside (advantage) and downside (disadvantage).
The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda revolves around the dry and wet seasons – often referred to as the low & peak season. Both Rwanda & Uganda share an almost similar dry & wet season pattern. These both experience two wet seasons; short & long wet seasons. The short wet season is in the months of October into November. The long wet season starts mid-march and stretches into May. The remaining months a dry.
Where to stay in Nkuringo Sector
Best way to get to Nkuringo Region
-
Fly into Kigali and Drive 5 hours to get to Nkuringo.
For travelers only visiting Uganda for a short Gorilla trekking, this might be the best way to get to Nkuringo Region. You’ll fly into Kigali international airport where your guide from Realm Africa Safaris will meet, greet and assist you with your luggage and thereafter transfer you to the Nkuringo region (Bwindi). The drive from Kigali to Nkuringo will in total last about 5-hours including border crossing time. This drive is definitely a lot less stressful and tiring compared to driving from Entebbe/Kampala which takes 9-10 hours.
Caution: Those that choose to take this option must plan to apply for the 90 days East African tourist Visa that admits you into Rwanda and Uganda as well. The East African tourist visa will cost you $100 per person. Please apply online as on-arrival visas are being discouraged to limit the number of people in queue especially during these deadly times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aerolink and Fly Uganda are the only two companies that operate scheduled and chartered domestic flights to Bwindi Forest National park landing at Kisoro airport where you’ll get picked up by your guide and driven on a scenic route to your lodge in the Nkuringo region. The drive from Kisoro airport to the Nkuringo region takes about 1hr 30minutes.
A return flight to Bwindi from Entebbe will cost around about $500 per person return – treat this rate as a guide!. The flight time from Entebbe is approximately 1hr 30 minutes and lands at Kisoro Airport – 1 hr 30mins to Nkuringo region.
Learn more about flying to Nkuringo Region from Entebbe.
-
Driving from Entebbe/Kampala to Nkuringo.
This is the most tiring way of getting to Bwindi especially if you are on a short 3 days Gorilla safari. The drive to Nkuringo Region (Bwindi) from Entebbe/ Kampala typically lasts about 9 -10 hours oneway which is draining for a person set to trek Gorillas the next morning. However, you can break this trip into two segments where you drive to Lake Mburo National Park with an overnight stay at Mihingo Safari Lodge for 02 nights (gives you time to explore Lake Mburo National Park) before proceeding with the drive to Nkuringo (approximately 6 hours from Mihingo Lodge) on the third day. You get to your lodge less tired and a lot more ready to take on the next day’s gorilla trekking staying two nights and transferring back to Entebbe or Kigali on the fifth day.
Sample Itinerary;
- Day 1: Drive to Lake Mburo NP
- Day 2: Explore Lake Mburo NP
- Day 03: Drive 6-hrs to get to Nkuringo.
- Day 04: Trek Gorillas in Nkuringo Region(Bwindi).
- Day 05: Transfer back to Entebbe/Kigali. (End of the safari)
See Full Detailed Itinerary: 5 Days Gorillas Via Lake Mburo National Park.
Caution: Those that choose to take this option must plan to apply for the 90 days East African tourist Visa that admits you into Rwanda and Uganda as well. The East African tourist visa will cost you $100 per person. Please apply online as on-arrival visas are being discouraged to limit the number of people in queue especially during these deadly times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
