Gorilla tracking in Nkuringo section is one of the popular activities within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The section lies closely to the Buhoma sector in about a 10 km distance, although this distance is covered by the impenetrable forest. A walk through the forest takes about 4 hours. Connecting by car to the two points takes about 7 to 8 hours, from Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
While at Nkuringo you can also engage in a community walk, to learn about the lifestyle of people living in the nearby communities. You will visit and learn about traditional healers, rural homestead, blacksmith and brewers.
Nkuringo and Bushaho are the two gorilla families in this sector. Gorilla habituation experience is now being offered with the Bushaho family.
About Nkuringo sector and gorilla tracking.
Nkuringo sector is located in the southwestern part of Bwindi forest, a forest that protects about 460 mountain gorillas, that is more than 50% of those left in the world. However, the park has four (4) sectors were gorillas can be trekked and Nkuringo is one of them.
The park is a tourist destination and a UNESCO world heritage site designated to protect the population of mountain gorillas. Some gorillas are located on the slopes of volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In the deep thick and high part of Bwindi forest lives the ‘Nkuringo’ gorilla family which was named after the rolling hills where the family was first sighted. The hills are the very first picture one would see when travelling to this sector.
Habituation of Nkuringo family was launched in 2004, and currently has more than 12 members. This group members used to be found in the villages and this became the reason for its habituation since they were seen destroying people’s crops. The group was opened for tourists so that the communities could benefit from the proceeds.
By then, the sector had only one family, the Nkuringo family, and this group was originally by the silverback ‘Nkuringo’ who died in 2008. Later, Safari and Rufiki the silverbacks took over the power to lead the family. In the same year, the family welcomed a set of twins from Kwitonda – the twin mother. The twins were named Muhozii and Katungi, who made the family expand more. Sadly, Katungi died before turning 2 years.
More activities around the sector.
Nkuringo sector has different activities carried out although the main activity is gorilla trekking. Other activities include community walks, to learn more about the day-to-day life of the local people, by sharing stories and meals.
You will also enjoy the Batwa trail tour while interacting with the first people who lived in the forest caves. Learn about their ways of life and how they used to live and survive in the forest.
Visit community schools to learn and interact with children and learn about how they study without computers yet still knowledgeable.
Gorilla tracking in Nkuringo needs more of physical fitness and good energy, because it’s one of the toughest trails or treks in Bwindi forest. But the experience is a more rewarding lifetime adventure.