How to spend 4 days in Nkuringo region of Bwindi.

Organizing to spend 4 days in Nkuringo region of Bwindi is very possible with Encounter Africa safaris to make your dream come true. Nkuringo gorilla region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is of the core sectors for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Bwindi. Nkuringo is found in southwestern Uganda sharing a border with Congo, it is one 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. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is in southwestern Uganda in the districts of Kisoro, and Kanungu. It borders DR Congo and it is very close to the Virunga conservation area.

Bwindi forest is one of the oldest forests in Africa and was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable national park has over 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. Nkuringo gorilla sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 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 of the protection and conservation of gorillas in Nkuringo as well as the issuance of gorilla trekking permits.

How to spend 4 days in Nkuringo region of Bwindi

Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo

Gorilla trekking is the principal activity considered to do when you spend 4 days in Nkuringo region of Bwindi. 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 after briefing the visitors on the dos and don’ts of the activity, they will start to walk and trek in the forest as the trackers direct them. This gives you 99% chances of seeing the gorillas in their natural environment in the Nkuringo gorilla region. 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 and allows you one hour of watching the gorillas once you find them.

Uganda has half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas in the world, it is such a lifetime experience to watch the endangered and rare mountain gorillas which have 95% DNA as human beings in the Nkuringo gorilla region. We can find the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda in the hilly tropical forests in southwestern Uganda, and you will view the gorillas in their natural environment. The chances of seeing the gorillas is 98% chance when you spend 4 days in the Nkuringo region of Bwindi.

Trek to the Top of the World

This is also one of the interesting hikes you can do in Nkuringo, it is a short walk from Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. You stroll through Nkuringo village and take some small foot paths to the top of the world. Beautiful views overlooking the surrounding mountains, valleys and ridges. The hike is about 2-3 hours.

Gorilla Buffer Zone Walk

A buffer zone is a transition zone between Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the cultivated areas where the people live. Nowadays a lot of tea is grown in the buffer. You will be able to see various tea plantations and other crops grown by the locals.

Batwa cultural experience

The Batwa experience is also an interesting activity to do when you spend 4 days in Nkuringo. The Buniga Forest Trail showcases the life of the Batwa native pygmies, their historical nomadic cultures when they occupied the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest until 1991, when the forest was gazetted as a national park. The tribe was forced out of the park and since then; they have been struggling to cope with modern life outside the jungle. The Buniga forest trail is a USAID initiative put together to help the Batwa community earn a living from tourism around the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This walk is truly an experience, not challenging at all, but informative and exciting.

Ivy River forest walk

This Ivy River route ascends and descends gently through beautiful areas of the rain forest with several viewpoints from the marram road to Nkuringo overlooking lush mist shrouded valleys. The trail is also an important footpath for local people travelling to and from Nkuringo particularly on market days to Nteko village on the southern boundary of the park. Monkeys, duikers, bush pigs and some of Bwindi’s world renowned bird and butterfly species can be sighted.

Visiting the Suma Waterfalls

The waterfall is found in a village called Suma the waterfall is surrounded by different species of trees that are home to plenty of endemic bird species, for example, Northern Double Collared Sun Bird, the Violet Backed Starling and the Great Blue Eared Starling. This activity can be done any time, but the best time is in the morning hours.

Birding experience

Nkuringo region of Bwindi Forest National Park is home to various unique bird species including the Albertine Rift Endemic birds, and it is a place to be for Bird watchers, Key bird species to spot on your birding tour in Bwindi National Park include Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimson wing. We do organize birding packages to Bwindi Forest National Park, with professional birding guides you can identify different birds.

Volunteering

The other way how you can spend 4days in Nkuringo is by participating in Volunteering activities. You can volunteer in community-based projects, teach in schools as you empower the local communities staying in Nkuringo of Bwindi.

Where to stay when you spend 4 days in Nkuringo region of Bwindi?

Nkuringo sector has several lodges, hotels 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 is 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.

Why book with Encounter Africa safaris to spend 4days in Nkuringo region of Bwindi

Encounter Africa safaris is a local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Ugandans run and own encounter Africa safaris. We have been in operation for over 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) which makes it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla safari. Encounter Africa safaris is highly reviewed on trip advisor and 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 organize and your 4 days’ safari to Nkuringo region of Bwindi to best meet your expectations.