Gorilla families in Nkuringo sector – Bwindi impenetrable national park: One of the four gorilla trekking sectors in the park, Nkuringo sector is situated in the southern portion of the park. Rushaga in the south, Buhoma in the north, and Ruhija in the east are other gorilla trekking areas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because it is home to three habituated gorilla families, the Nkuringo sector provides the best gorilla trekking experience for guests on a gorilla trekking safari. These families include
The family of Nkuringo gorillas
One of the three habituated gorilla groups, the Nkuringo is regarded as the most fascinating to visit because of its photographic qualities, since the gorillas constantly wander from the dense bushes in the Bwindi forest to the buffer zone in search of food. Nkuringo Silverback led the group until 2012. The Nkuringo Gorilla Family was the first gorilla family in the area to be habituated, having done so in 1997.
At the age of forty-five, Nkuringo Silverback passed away, leaving the group with three silverbacks: Safari, Rafik, and Christmas. Following Nkuringo Silverback’s death, the family was led by Safari Silverback, who vanished following an encounter with Bushasho, another gorilla family. Rafiki, another silverback, is now in charge of the group. After leading the group for a while, Rafiki was killed by a sharp spear that punctured his left upper abdomen, stomach wall, and internal organs.
The 13 members of the Nkuringo gorilla family include four black backs: the dominant black back, Rwamutwe, who was Rafiki’s son; the second-in-command, Tabu; Kamara and Muhoozi; five females, Kwitonda, Kuhirwa, Furaha, Kiiza, and Nderema; two juveniles, Guma and Owamani; and two newborns.
Family of Bushaho Gorillas
The second habituated gorilla family in the Nkuringo sector is the Bushaho family. The eight members of the Bushaho gorilla family were created after some of the non-habituated members of the Nkuringo family split off to form their own group. The eight members of the Bushaho gorilla group-three adult females, one subadult, one black back, one adolescent, and one infant-are led by the Bahati silverback.
The family of Christmas Gorillas
The third and most recent gorilla family to become habituated in the Nkuringo region is the Christmas family. Christmas Silverback, who was born on Christmas Day, is the leader of the nine-member gorilla group. Even though there are nine members of the family, only six are seen when traveling.
At the park headquarters, families of Nkuringo, Bushaho, and Christmas gorillas are briefed on the rules and regulations before beginning their trek. Following the briefing, you will be split up into groups of eight, each of which will be assigned a gorilla family to hike with and a knowledgeable park guide who is familiar with the various forest pathways.
Because gorillas prefer to roam around in search of food, gorilla trekking in the Nkuringo sector might take anything from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. Great views of the surrounding landscape, other primates, and bird species can be seen while trekking. After the gorillas are found, you will be able to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat, where you can observe their habits, lifestyle, and behaviors, take pictures and videos, and watch them go about their daily lives.
Accommodations in the Nkuringo sector
During your gorilla trekking safari, you can stay at a number of lodging establishments in the Nkuringo sector. Among the lodging options are Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Mutanda Eco Community Center, Nshongi Camp, and Chameleon Hill Lodge, which are premium, midrange, and affordable.
Directions to the Nkuringo Sector
It takes around eight to nine hours to drive from Kampala or Entebbe to the park headquarters via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Nkuringo Sector, which is situated in the southern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It takes roughly four to five hours to drive from Kigali, Rwanda, to the park headquarters in the Nkuringo area via the Cyanika border.
You can also get to Nkuringo sector by air by scheduling scheduled and charter flights with Aerolink Uganda to Kihihi or Kisoro airports, and then connecting by road to Nkuringo sector.
Everything You Need to Know About Mountain Gorillas
The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the world’s most endangered great apes and one of its most magnificent wildlife spectacles. With fewer than 1,063 individuals remaining in the wild, every encounter with a habituated gorilla family is a rare and deeply moving privilege.
Mountain gorillas live in family groups of 5-30 individuals, led by a dominant silverback male. Gorillas are primarily herbivores, feeding on leaves, stems, bark, roots and fruits – a silverback can consume up to 34kg of vegetation per day. At dusk each individual builds a fresh sleeping nest from bent vegetation.
Where to See Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas can only be seen in the wild – they do not survive in captivity. They exist in two populations:
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda: The largest gorilla population, home to over 400 individuals across 19 habituated families. Four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
- Virunga Massif: Shared between Uganda (Mgahinga), Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), and the DRC (Virunga National Park). Home to around 600 gorillas across the six volcanic mountains.
Gorilla Trekking Permits – Uganda vs Rwanda
Both Uganda and Rwanda offer outstanding gorilla trekking experiences with important differences:
- Uganda (USD 800): More affordable permit. Greater number of habituated families and sectors. Bwindi terrain is more challenging but offers more choice. Also offers the Gorilla Habituation Experience (USD 1,500).
- Rwanda (USD 1,500): Higher permit cost but closer to Kigali airport (2.5 hours). More developed luxury lodge sector. Smaller park but highly managed experience with reliable gorilla sightings.
Recommended Tours: 4 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari | 4 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
