Nkuringo sector is one of the 4 sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable national park also located in the southern part of Bwindi. Nkuringo sector is complementary to the other sectors including Rushaga, Ruhija, and Buhoma which make up the Bwindi Impenetrable national park. Nkuringo sector is an incredible sector to visit given its magnificent location with daily changing weather with mist in the morning and sunset in the evening. Nkuringo sector also has incredible views of the Virunga volcanoes and a number of crater lakes which reward visitors with a lifetime experience. For visitors who are physically fit and highly determined and interested in adventure and prefer longer hours of gorilla trekking, the Nkuringo sector is the best place to go for the experience is life-changing and memorable.
Nkuringo sector derived its name from the famous Nkuringo gorilla family which is the most interesting family to visit in this particular sector. This family of gorillas broke off from the existing Nshongi family which is located in the Rushaga sector. After breaking off, Bahati who is the head of the family moved his fellow members to Nkuringo sector their current location. This group has about 19 members controlled by Bahati (the head silverback) in terms of their movement. Just like any other gorilla family, Nkuringo only allows 8 people per day to visit a particular gorilla family hence 8 gorilla permits are booked for a particular day. Each gorilla permit costs $600 per person. Other than the Nkuringo gorilla family, Nkuirngo sector has 3 more gorilla families created including; Bikingi gorilla family with about 15 members with 1 Silverback gorilla and was declared free for tracking in 2012. The other family in Nkuringo sector is Bushaho family composed of about 10 to 18 gorillas with 1 silverback gorilla.
Apart from Gorilla trekking, the sector offers visitors other attractions to complement the gorilla trekking activity. Some of these include nature walks. For visitors connecting from the Buhoma sector using the Kabale-Butogota-Buhoa-Nkuringo route have higher opportunities of enjoying a nature walk to Nkuringo. This nature walk is great experience as you encounter a natural environment with chances of meeting animals such as baboons, monkeys, and forest pigs.
Birdwatching is another activity to be explored in Nkuringo sector. Birding is basically done during the nature walks in the presence of the singing birds and different tree species. Some of the commonly seen birds include; short tailed warbler, white tailed blue flycatcher, garners warbler and African emerald cuckoo to mention a few. Binoculars are highly recommended for clear views of the birds and other features.
Communities like the Bakiga and Batwa cultural experiences offer community tours to visitors to learn about the local life, traditions, and norms of the communities, for example, the community trails, tea plantations, coffee plantations offer visitors interesting things to learn and experience. Local experienced guides will be provided to offer you first-hand information as you receive entertainment in local dances, songs and poems as a way of welcoming travelers’ to the community.
Nkuringo gorilla lodge can be accessed by air and road. Reaching the sector from Kampala City, connect to Kabale district then proceed to Kisoro district where the sector is located. It takes about 8 to 9 hours on the road and roughly 3 hours’ drive from Kabale to Kisoro. Visitors can also reach Nkuringo via Buhoma using the Kabale-Butogota route. No public means is available to access the sector, so ensure you hire a vehicle to the park. Nkuringo can also be accessed by Air, domestic flights for Aerolink Uganda Limited operate only morning flights from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip daily. From there you can drive for 2-3 hours to connect to the sector.
Accommodations in Nkuringo sector
When trekking gorillas in Nkuringo sector, visitors are rewarded with excellent accommodation facilities. These facilities range from Luxury, mid-range and budget with excellent food and sleeping facilities. Visitors are advised that the lodges price differently depending on the quality of service, status of the lodge and services offered by the lodges. The sector does not have many lodges however some of the lodges commonly known for good service for the Luxury option include; Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge and Nkuringo Gorilla lodge. Other lodges include; Nkuringo Gorilla Campsites and Hammerkop Bunkhouse. Nkuringo sector is an exceptional area to visit the mountain gorillas, as it offeres other actiivties like nature walks, birding and community tours which are all rewarding with memorable like changing experiences.
