Gorilla trekking starting from Nkuringo Region of Bwindi

Nkuringo Region of Bwindi impenetrable national Park is another popular area to see gorillas in Uganda.

Uganda has half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas in the world, it is such a life time experience to watch the endangered and rare mountain gorillas which have 95% DNA as human beings. The Mountain Gorillas in Uganda can be found in the hilly tropical forests in south western Uganda and you will be able to view the gorillas in their natural environment. The chances of seeing the gorillas in Nkuringo region in Bwindi is 98% chance.

Nkuringo gorilla Region.

Nkuringo gorilla region of Bwindi impenetrable national Park is of the core sectors for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Bwindi. Nkuringo is found in south western Uganda sharing boarder with Congo, it is one of the of the four sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national Park where you can trek and see the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat in the world. Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest National park is done in the four sectors namely Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija and Nkuringo sector. The experience is all the sectors is the same and very enjoyable. You can choose to trek in Nkuringo Bwindi depending on availability of permits and interest.

About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in the southwestern Uganda in the Districts of Kisoro, and Kanungu districts. It boarders DR Congo and it is very close to the Virunga conservation area. The park is one of the oldest forests in Africa and was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable national park has more than 400 species of plant life, sheltering up to 120 mammals among which are the primates including the famous Gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, forest elephants and antelopes among others. Bwindi forest is the where gorilla tourism started in Uganda, It is estimated that the park is a home to more than 500 gorillas which is more than half of the world’s population of Gorillas and of these we have 19 groups habituated for human visit known as Mountain Gorilla trekking.

Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo gorilla region

Gorilla trekking is the main activity done in Nkuringo gorilla region, Gorilla tracking refers to moving in the forest to see/view a given habituated mountain gorilla family. Gorilla trackers/advanced team/rangers use many signs and methods to trace these gorillas before gorilla trekking takes place. The trackers wake up very early every morning and go to the forest in search of these mountain gorillas. They use natural means to track them like clapping, making wild sounds. Once they find them, then they will communicate to the park headquarters and it’s then the guides after briefing the visitors on dos and don’ts, they will start to walk and trek in the forest as they are directed by the trackers. This gives you 99% chances of seeing the gorillas in their natural environment in the Nkuringo gorilla region.

Gorilla families and gorilla permits in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi

Nkuringo gorilla trail head has three habituated gorilla families for gorilla trekking in this region.  Every gorilla family in Nkuringo is allocated 8 visitors per day which gives you an opportunity to visit the gorillas any time of the year. There are24 gorilla permits available per day for gorilla trekking that allows you to see the gorillas for one hour. Uganda wildlife Authority is in charge for the protection and conservation of gorillas in Nkuringo as well as issuance of gorilla trekking permits for the region.

What is the price of gorilla trekking permits for Nkuringo gorilla region?

The gorilla trekking permit for the Nkuringo region allows you to spend one hour with the gorillas once you find them in the forest. The gorilla trekking permits cost USD700 per person for Non- Foreign Residents, USD600 for Foreign Residents, and Uganda Shillings 250,000 per person for East African Citizens.  Encounter Africa safaris will help you to book and secure the permit for your preferred date depending on availability and all the services for your gorilla trip.

Contact us about your planned trek and desired dates, we shall check availability of permits online system for Uganda Wildlife Authority and if permits are available, we shall send you an invoice to make payment for the permits as they are top priority and if they are not available, you will choose other dates that have availability of permits. Once we receive payment, we shall book and secure your permits from Uganda wildlife Authority and send you copy of the receipt with booking ID to confirm your trek. Since the gorilla habituation permits are limited to four permits per day, they tend to sell out very quickly reason we recommend booking months in advance for your preferred date before it sells out.

How to access Nkuringo region in Bwindi

Nkuringo gorilla region is very accessible for your gorilla trekking safari. You can fly from Entebbe international Airport/Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip and then drive to your booked lodge, Aerolink Uganda is one of the most recommended Flight companies that has daily flights to Bwindi and it is about one hour flight to Kisoro.  We also have road trip options from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi which is about 8-9 hours but very enjoyable as you can stop at the Equator, Igongo cultural Museum in Mbarara, see different plantations and landscape.

We also organize road trip gorilla safaris to Nkuringo from Kigali in Rwanda, The trip can start from the Airport/Hotel in Kigali city and then drive to Uganda via the genocide memorial and later proceed into Uganda through Katuna boarder. You will have stops to take photographs and viewpoints like the Lake Bunyonyi View point, Twin lakes View point, then stop for Lunch in Kabale. The drive from Kigali is about 4-5 hours which is shorter compared to 8-9 hours from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi. All options are available for you to choose the most convenient for your gorilla trekking starting from Nkuringo Region of Bwindi.

Where to stay in Nkuringo gorilla region?

Nkuringo sector has a number of lodges, hotel and camps where you can stay for your gorilla trekking activity. These range from budget to luxury, with different prices and service standards. Encounter Africa safaris can help you book the hotel of your choice, you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge as the budget and midrange option and Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge as the luxury option, Four gorillas lodge, there is also an option of staying in Rushaga sector which close to Nkuringo and Just about 1hour drive to the Park headquarters in Nkuringo Region. The lodges require to be booked in advance especially in high season as they can be fully booked.

About Encounter Africa safaris

Encounter Africa safaris is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Encounter Africa safaris is run and owned by Ugandans. We have been in operation for more than 15 years and we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and are registered by UTB (Uganda Tourism Board). We have a good and long working relationship with UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla safari from Kigali. Encounter Africa safaris is highly reviewed on trip advisor as well as Safari bookings. Please contact Encounter Africa safaris next time you intend to visit any of the five East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania. We will tailor your gorilla trekking starting from Nkuringo region in Bwindi to best meet your expectations.