Top Budget Lodges in Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi – The Nkuringo sector is one of the four sectors in Bwindi and is located in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The Nkuringo sector is home to the major gorilla family, the Nkuringo gorilla family, named after the “rolling hills” where it was first sighted.
The gorilla family was launched in 2004, and tourists were allowed to trek.
The Nkuringo family consists of 12 members who are currently undergoing habituation.
The main reason for their habituation is that individuals from this group were observed destroying crops in people’s gardens.
The Nkuringo family was originally led by the dominant silverback, Nkuringo, who died in 2008, followed by Safari and Rafiki. However, Rafiki was later killed by poachers.
Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo requires physical fitness and stamina as it is the toughest trail in the Bwindi forest.
The Nkuringo sector offers stunning views of Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira in the Virunga National Park, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Other gorilla families in the Nkuringo sector include the Christmas gorilla family, which has one silverback named Christmas, one blackback, three females, and one infant, totaling seven members.
Additionally, there is the Bushao Gorilla family, led by the silverback Bahati, with eight members.
Each day, 24 gorilla permits are issued in this sector.
Top Budget Lodges in Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi
Mutanda Eco Community Centre
This accommodation is situated on the southern shores of Lake Mutanda, offering quality camping facilities and good food for visitors. The camping facilities have a platform structure on pillars and a roof.
The camps are raised on platforms to protect visitors from bad weather. The facility has four cabin bandas that can accommodate up to 10 visitors.
Visitors who bring their own tents are provided with a camping site for their comfort. Mutanda Eco Community Centre also features a dormitory with two bunk beds, accommodating up to four guests.
Bwindi Backpackers Lodge
Located at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge offers high-quality services to its customers.
This lodge provides both budget and mid-range accommodation options, including self-camping, rooms with shared bathrooms, cottages, and self-contained rooms.
Nshongi Camp
Nshongi Camp is located 8 km from the center of Bwindi. The camp offers four traditional bandas, each with double beds, private bathrooms, and mosquito nets.
The camp is known for offering excellent customer service, from lunch to campfires, providing visitors with a memorable experience.
Bwindi Orugano Lodge
Bwindi Orugano Lodge is an accommodation facility located in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
This secluded sanctuary offers panoramic views of Bwindi Forest and the Virunga Ranges and is only a 10-minute walk from the park headquarters.
The lodge provides comfortable lodging, meticulously crafted to ensure a perfect stay for tourists on a gorilla safari.
Karungi Camp
Karungi Camp is located in Ruguburi town in Kisoro District, southwest Uganda, and provides comfortable and affordable accommodation for tourists visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas.
The camp is strategically situated on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley and surrounded by the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering majestic views of the beautiful scenery.
Karungi Camp serves as a gateway for tourists to start gorilla trekking and visit nearby communities where they can interact with the Bakiga and Batwa people.
Founded in 2017 by an Australian named Yoly Phillips, who fell in love with Uganda’s nature, Karungi Camp is one of the top budget lodges for those seeking to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda.
The lodge provides spacious cottages, categorized as single cottages, double cottages, and a camping site.
Wagtail Safari Lodge
Wag Tail Safari Lodge is a top budget lodge located in Rubuguri town, southwestern Uganda, recommended for tourists visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
The lodge offers incredible views of the Kigezi hills, providing a home-away-from-home experience for those seeking adventure.
Constructed with African local materials, Wag Tail Safari Lodge is eco-friendly and offers spacious, comfortable rooms where guests can relax and enjoy soft breezes from the surrounding areas.
Albertine Gorilla Campsite
Albertine Gorilla Campsite is a budget lodge located in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
The campsite is situated just 10 meters from the Uganda Wildlife Authority office, providing an ideal starting point for gorilla trekking on the Nkuringo trail.
Tourists can also trek in other regions of Bwindi, including Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga.
Albertine Gorilla Campsite offers spacious rooms with quality amenities such as flushing toilets, hot showers, and toiletries.
The campsite has a spacious restaurant with professional chefs who prepare delicious local and international meals.
Gorilla Close-Up Lodge
Gorilla Close-up Lodge is a four-star hotel located in the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in Nkuringo, making gorilla trekking easier.
The lodge is built on 40 acres of land in a natural environment, offering uninterrupted views of the forest.
It is eco-friendly, constructed using local materials, and owned by a Ugandan named Seth Byarugaba, whose grandfather lived in Bwindi Forest.
The lodge comprises six cozy and comfortable cottages: Dian Fossey Cottage, George Schaller Cottage, Silverback Luxury Cottage, Jungle Luxury Family Cottage, Royal Luxury Cottage, and Royal Crafted Cottage.
Each room is beautifully designed and offers special amenities to guests, such as a private bathroom, hot and cold shower, bathtub, mosquito nets, TV, white duvets and pillows, flushing toilets, free toiletries, room service, and WiFi.
The lodge features a comfortable restaurant serving both local and international dishes, prepared by professional chefs. The menu includes English breakfast, three-course meals, and packed lunches.
Price discounts are offered for advance payments, and special offers are available for tour operators, family tours, and long stays.
How to Access the Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi
The Nkuringo sector can be accessed by road or by air.
- By Road: Nkuringo can be reached via the Kampala-Kisoro-Nkuringo route, approximately 527 km, which takes about 11 hours to travel. Travelers from Rwanda can use the Cyanika border in the south, a 5-6 hour drive to Kisoro town, and then proceed to Nkuringo.
- By Air: Tourists can fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip, with the flight taking approximately 1 to 2 hours.
Activities to Engage In
- Gorilla trekking
- Gorilla habituation
- Bird watching
- Nature walks
- Community walks
In a Nutshell, Budget lodges in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi offer excellent services to travelers, ensuring comfort and a great experience during their stay.
