Expert Advice on How to get to Nkuringo Region (southern Bwindi Impenentrable Forest National Park) for Mountain Gorilla Trekking and much more.
The Nkuringo Region in southern Bwindi has emerged as one of the best gorilla trekking regions for trekkers visiting Bwindi on a Gorilla tour. The region is remote and less crowded thus providing an authentic safari experience for travelers seeking to trek gorillas with fewer crowds. There is Only 03 habituated gorilla groups – with only 08 tourists allowed to track a particular gorilla family – which translate into 24 gorilla permits available for gorilla trekking on a daily – each gorilla permit costs $700 per person to trek and you get to stay for 01-hour viewing, photographing or filming (non-commercial filming) of a habituated gorilla group.
For Commercial Filming of Gorillas in the Nkuringo Region, please contact our sister company East Africa Film Fixers™ for assistance in arranging Gorilla filming permits, transport, accommodation, and any other logistical support you might need on your shoot.
Check out their website: East Africa Film Fixers™
Many of our clients opt to fly into Kigali, where we arrange for a representative or guide of Realm Africa Safaris™ to meet, greet and assist with luggage before transferring to Uganda – a journey that typically lasts about 5-hours (including border crossing time) through Rwanda.
However, it’s important to note that the option of flying to Kigali and Crossing to Uganda is currently unavailable as the borders remain closed for nearly two (02)years now pending a reconciliation between both governments.
Many travelers to Uganda don’t realize how close Rwanda is to the southern sector of Bwindi (Nkuringo & Rushage Regions). It’s only after we suggest that they fly into Uganda and mention to them that the drive from Kigali is shorter than driving from Entebbe to Nkuringo Region which takes about a full day (9-10 hours).
Best Ways to get to Nkuringo Region of Bwindi Forest for Gorilla Trekking
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Fly into Kigali and Drive 5 hours to get to Nkuringo. (NOT possible – Borders remain Closed!)
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.
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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.
Any travel Connection that involve land border crossing between Uganda & Rwanda remain closed.
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