NKURINGO GORILLA REGION IN UGANDA.

Nkuringo Gorilla Region in Uganda.

A vast tropical rainforest and a dwelling to more than 500 mountain gorillas, that is almost three quarters of the world’s total population of these endangered apes, is proudly dubbed Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda.

The park has four gorilla regions, namely; Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Each region has different gorilla families and unique advantages over the other. Several comparisons have ranked Buhoma the best gorilla region in Bwindi because it was the first to open up Mubare gorilla family for official tracking in 1993 and it is always fore booked like in a year’s advance.

However, gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is one that creates fondest memories, regardless of the region you trek, it is still the same experience, same procedures and fairs, all creating lifelong memories are assured.

Putting aside all the pressure and competition to book a tracking permit in Buhoma region, see why you should trek gorillas in Nkuringo gorilla region.

Nkuringo gorilla region is located on the southern tip of Bwindi and can be easily accessed via Kabale – Kisoro highway, taking approximately three hours’ drive from Kabale town. The sector can also be accessed from Buhoma via Kabale – Butogota route. In terms of accessibility, Nkuringo is none of those hard places to reach.

The region has two gorilla families; Nkuringo family and the Christmas family that has just been habituated. Nkuringo gorilla family has 19 members and is open to eight trekkers per day, just like all other groups. Trekking this family is the most challenging, though an interesting trek a traveler can ever have. Walking through the impenetrable trails, having to hold on a tree branch for support and finally rewarded with not only views of the Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira mountains, but also up-close encounters with the mighty silverbacks.

While trekking in Nkuringo region, you can have additional activities after trekking the gorillas. The region has good forest/nature walk trails. This is best done in the morning or in the evenings from different starting points. Enjoy the calm and peaceful natural environment, walking to rhythms of only bird sounds and tree leaves shaken by the wind. Travelers also have higher chances of spotting other wildlife species like the baboons, monkeys and forest pigs, all this summing up into unforgettable memories.

For bird lovers, Nkuringo is one haven that you shouldn’t miss. Several bird species comfortably reside in Nkuringo. Expect to see the white tailed blue flycatcher, short tailed warbler, yellow eyed black catcher Kivu ground thrush, Africa blue flycatcher, black bee-eater, yellow eyed black flycatcher, garners warbler and the African emerald cuckoo plus so many others.

About photographers, they should all lead to Nkuringo gorilla region because it commands the best views of Bwindi forest. While walking through the trails, travelers are rewarded with beautiful views of the Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira volcanoes, such views are priceless and no beautiful scenery matches this.

At times, guide take travelers through the Batwa trail to experience new cultures. This community visit exposes the trekkers to local people, local food, hunting, households, music, dances and drama. Meet the hospitable Batwa people; the first inhabitants of Bwindi impenetrable forest before they were resettled after the forest was gazetted as a national park in 1993.

Accommodation in Nkuringo sector is something you shouldn’t worry about, one can never fail to get excellent food and sleeping services. Whether luxury, midrange, budget or super budget, the sector simply has something for all categories of travelers. The most famous lodge here is the luxurious Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.

Note that, the fact there are only two gorilla families to trek, if one needs to trek in Nkuringo region, they have to book in advance for easy preparations and to avoid last minute disappointments. Otherwise, Nkuringo gorilla region furnishes amazing trekking experiences like no other region.