What To see In Nkuringo Gorilla trekking Area Uganda

Nkuringo gorilla trekking area in Uganda is placed in the southern part of Bwindi forest National Park. It is one of the oldest families to open for tourist viewing in the south.

 In 1997 gorilla habituation started in the southern part of Bwindi forest forming the current Nkuringo gorilla family. Nkuringo gorilla family gets its name from the Nkuringo hills where the family normally used to hangout.

Nkuringo gorilla trekking family was opened for tourist viewing in 2004. It was one large family but with time, several gorilla families have broken away.

Gorilla Trekking Families In Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking Area

Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking Family

This is the oldest gorilla family in this area which was opened for tourists viewing in 2004. By the time of opening, Nkuringo gorilla family was under the leadership of Rafiki silverback.

Rafiki was mercilessly murdered by poachers in June 2020.  Others Nkuringo family members include 2 adult females, 2 infants and 1black backs and 3 juveniles.

The condition in the forest like attacks from wild gorilla families, diseases and several others have led to splitting into several new families.

Locally the word Nkuringo means rounded as the gorilla were initially spending most of there day time around the Nkruringo rounded hills.

Christmas Gorilla Trekking Family in Nkuringo Gorilla Area

This is one of the breakaway groups from the major Nkuringo gorilla family. It acquired its name from the dominant silver back Christmas who left with about 8 members.

He is one of the strong males and highly protective of his family. He works so hard to defend the family and also looks for new feeding grounds for the family to depend on.

Christmas gorilla trekking family was opened for tourist viewing in 2018 and it is one of the gorilla families available for gorilla habituation experience.

Bishaho Gorilla Trekking Family in Nkuringo gorilla area

Another break away gorilla trekking family from Nkuringo gorilla family   

Where To Stay In Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking Area

A number of accommodations area available for one to choose from in all budgets. You may opt to stay in a luxury facility, Midrange or Budget facility. Some the accommodations in Nkuringo gorilla area include Clouds Lodge, Nkuringo safari Lodge and one can also overnight in Rushaga area

How To Get To Nkuringo Gorilla Tracking Area

By road trip, the drive from Entebbe airport to Nkuringo may last about 8 to 9 hours. The drive goes through Kabale then Nkuringo. As the roads in the country side are sometimes impassable especially during the wet season, a 4x4WD is recommended.

Daily domestic flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi Air strip are available for booking. You also need a transfer vehicle to the lodge as the airstrip is located some distance away from most of the accommodations.

Charter flights can also be arranged domestically but clearance is needed from the CAA. At arch Safaris and Tours, we do make such arrangements for our clients so that they are not disturbed. 

From Kigali in Rwanda to Nkuringo gorilla trekking area, one can take a road trip through Katuna border or Chanika border. This may take about 5 to 6 hours.

What Else to Do In Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking area

Nature walks in Nkuringo gorilla area are adorable. You have lots of wild plants to see, lots of birds can easily be identified, beautiful falls and so much more.

Scenic viewing in Nkuringo when you hike one of the close by hills is breathtaking. Enjoy the adorable Bwindi Canopy, wonderful valleys and so much more.

Close by is the famous Lake Bunyonyi which is the deepest rift valley lake in Uganda. Lots of birds make there daily flights to the lake, the lake view provide great scenery for photography.

Gorilla habituation for anyone interest in spending extra hours with mountain gorillas is possible in Nkuringo gorilla trekking area.

Birding for keen birders is another activity you can be part of while in Nkuringo gorilla trekking area. Lots of birds make there way to the forest so you can identify some of the Albertine endemics.

Other Uganda Safari Activities To do With Gorilla Trekking In Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking Area

Game drives in different parts of Uganda can be included in your itinerary. Some of the game parks in Uganda include Queen Elizabeth National Park which is about 5 to 6 hours away from Bwindi Forest. Murchison Falls National park is crossed by River Nile and by flight or by road, you can easily access it.

Some the animals you may spot in some of the parks include giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, water bucks, bush buck, vipers, Nile crocodile, hippos to mention but a few.

Water activities in Uganda are amazing like launch cruising on River Nile, Kazinga channel during which you may spot some of the wild animals that the parks harbor.

White water rafting on Itanda Falls River Nile is breathtaking to be part of. Even those who have no experience in white water rafting can take part.

Mountaineering and Hiking after gorilla trekking in Nkuringo is amazing. Right before leaving the premises of Nkuringo, one can do hiking on the close by

Home Stay visit after gorilla trekking in Nkuringo area is amazing. You get to know how the locals take on there day to day life.

What to Wear For Gorilla Trekking in Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking area

 Packing your own gorilla trekking gears before starting your gorilla trek makes you feel comfortable.

 Some the items that must be included on your packing list when preparing for gorilla trekking include Tracking boots, a sound proof camera, garden gloves, insect repellants, masks, hand sanitizer that comfortable for your skin Check more details

Which is the best time For Gorilla Trekking in Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking area

Gorilla tracking in Nkuringo gorilla area is open all year round. Two outstanding seasons are experienced that is the busy high season and Low Season.

High season is normally June to September and low gorilla trekking seasons are normally February to May. Even accommodation facilities normally give discounts in Low seasons. To avoid getting cold ensure to part some warmers as throughout the day its cold in this area with faint sun ray penetration