Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi – The Nkuringo sector is one of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is located in the southern region of the park.
The Nkuringo sector consists of three gorilla families, with the most prominent being the Nkuringo family, named after the rolling hills where it was first sighted.
This sector, being covered with hills, makes it the most challenging sector for gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
The Nkuringo family has 12 members currently under habituation. This was necessary because the family was found destroying crops in nearby gardens, so it was important to get them accustomed to human presence.
The Nkuringo family was initially led by a dominant silverback named Nkuringo in 2008. After his death, Safari and Rafiki took over leadership.
The Nkuringo family is the only family in Bwindi to have had twins, born to Kwitonda, the twin mother. The twins were named Muhozi and Katungi, but sadly, Katungi passed away before reaching the age of 2 years.
Other Families Include:
- Bushaho Gorilla Family: The Bushaho gorilla family was formed in 2012 when some members separated from the Nkuringo family. The family has 10 members, including Bahati, the leading silverback, 1 blackback, 3 adult females, 2 sub-adult females, and 3 infants.
- Christmas Gorilla Family: This is the newest gorilla family in the sector, consisting of 9 members. The Christmas silverback is the leader of this family, having separated from the Nkuringo family.
Cost of Nkuringo Gorilla Permits
- USD 800 for foreign non-residents
- USD 700 for foreign residents
- UGX 300,000 for East African citizens
How to Access Nkuringo Sector
- By Road: Tourists can travel by car from Entebbe or Kampala via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route and then head to Nkuringo. The journey covers 340 km and takes about 10 hours.
- By Air: Tourists can book a scheduled or chartered flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and land at Kisoro Airstrip, a flight that takes about 1 hour. From there, tourists can head to Nkuringo by road.
Best Time to Visit Nkuringo
The best time to visit Nkuringo is during the dry season, although it can be visited all year round.
The dry months are June to August and December to February, as it is easier to move through the trails during this period.
Accommodation in Nkuringo Sector
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
- Bwindi Backpackers Lodge
- Gorilla Heights Lodge
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Bwindi Safari Lodge
- Bwindi Orugano Lodge
The Nkuringo sector is an interesting sector to visit, although it requires a certain level of energy to explore the wildlife and landscapes due to its hilly terrain.