NKURINGO GORILLA SECTOR OF BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

Described with 98% of the same DNA as human, the gentle mountain species of gorillas are truly worth on every Uganda safari. With over 500 individual mountain distributed in its four sectors of; Nkuringo Gorilla Sector, Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and , Bwindi impenetrable national park is the top gorilla destination for a gorilla safari in the world.

Nkuringo Gorilla sector is located in the southern region of Bwindi with both Rushaga, Buhoma in the north and Ruhija in the west. Despite the fact the Buhoma sector is the most visited among all sector, Nkuringo has unique characteristic that one shouldn’t miss out on their Uganda gorilla safari.

This sector can be accessed by either a road transfer or by Air. It is an 8 -9 hour drive from Kampala via Mbarara kabale, which is about 484 km. Those accessing the sector by air from Entebbe international airport to kihihi. Then for the people who want to access Nkuringo from Rwanda they can pass via Cyanika border line which is a 5 hour drive.

This sector of Bwindi is elevated with 6800 feet giving a visitor among the best views of the scenic Bwindi forest more than the other sectors. From the view point of Nkuringo one can also view the magnificent Virunga volcanoes that are well known for being shared by Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.C.

With three habituated gorilla families of Nkuringo, Christmas and Bishaho, Nkuringo gorilla group is among the recommended groups for trekking besides its rugged trains and difficulty is accessibility.

The Nkuringo gorilla group was opened up for trekking in 2004 after the habituation process since 1996. This group derived its name from the dominate founder of the group called ‘Nkuringo”. This name translates to mean a “round hill. Nkuringo who was the dominate silver back led the family till he was 45 years of age when he died in 2012.

After his death, he left three other male gorillas Rafiki, Christmas and safari who later took over leadership after the death Nkuringo. Safari later conflicted with Bushaho gorilla group that led to his departure from the Nkuringo gorilla group.

After the departure of the safari, Rafiki took up the leadership of the Nkuringo gorilla family till June of 2021 where a misfortunate of his death happened. It was discovered that Rafiki was stubbed in the left upper abdomen, as examined and it was confirmed by the four poachers used a spear to kill gentle specie.

The poachers in defense said that they spared Rafiki in self-dense when he came into confrontation with them. The poacher who speared Rafiki was arrested together with other three poachers for hunting and killing the innocent mountain gorilla.

At the death of Rafiki, Nkuringo gorilla group has 3 infants, 2 juveniles, 8 adult females, 1 sliver back making 17 members. This gorilla family was known for having twin baby gorillas Muhoozi and katungi unfortunately, katungi died. Nkuringo has the following members.

Rwamutwe – dominate black back

Tab- second in command (trouble causer)

Muhoozi – black back (tax collector)

Kamara- black back (the dispute settler)

Guma –juvenile (be strong)

Nderema –adult female (fails to take care of self)

Kiiza –adult female (follow the twins)

Fuhara –adult female (happy one)

Kuhirwa- adult female (lucky one)

Kwintonda –adult female (humble one)

An adult female left the Nkuringo gorilla family to join his son Christmas, who was the new leader of the Christmas family that is composed of 6 individual gorilla members.

The bishaho gorilla family id among the three gorilla families of Nkuringo, this family also broke away from the Nkuringo family with the lead of Bahati a silver back who later formed his group of Bishaho that comprises 8 members.

Besides trekking the interesting families of Nkuringo, bird lovers cannot miss out on bird watching of over 100 bird species located in the sector. With you binoculars and a guide on can take the pocket nombe forest trail for birding.

In this trail one can sight bird species such as the Rwenzori turaco, purple breasted sunbird, handsome francolin, short tailed warbler, mountain masked Apalis and the collared Apalis among others.

For cultural communities the Batwa community is among the top cultural sites that one can visit. These pygmies were the initial inhabitants with the mountain gorillas in the park. This community is rich in culture, beliefs, lifestyle and morns that are worth exploring.

Nature walks through the beautiful vegetation of the park is truly rewarding, as it exposes to the wonder beauty of the park’s fauna and flora.

Gorilla habituation, where one gets into deep detail about the habituation process of the mountain gorillas, is a must on every Uganda gorilla safari. One gets a chance to witness the livelihoods of the mountain gorillas from morning till dawn in detail.

And as one plans for their gorilla trip in Nkuringo gorilla sector, the trekker shouldn’t worry about where to sleep, for the sector is well established with different accommodation facilities from lodges, hotels, cottages, camps and many more to enhance the guest experience. Some of the accommodation in Nkuringo includes;

• Clouds mountain gorilla lodge
• Nkuringo gorilla camp
• Nshongi camp
• Chameleon hill lodge
• Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge