Nkuringo is among the tracking sectors in Bwindi forest national park alongside Ruhija, Rushaga and Buhoma. The sector is characterized by steep slopes amidst a verdant impenetrable forest. This sector requires physical fitness to track mountain gorillas. It is also home to three other habituated gorilla families which include mishaya, Bikingi and Nkuringo. The sector receives 24 individuals per day for gorilla tracking therefore limited gorilla permits to visitors who wish to adventure the magical Nkuringo, literally meaning around hill.
Of recent tragedy be fell the sector when one of the oldest silver backs Rafiki disappeared from its family and was later found dead. It is said, it was killed by poachers in regard to self-defense, however in a statement from Uganda wild life authority the suspected poachers were brought to courts of law and will be charged accordingly under the wildlife protection act passed last year. Rafiki joined Nkuringo group in 2003 and found silver back karungi who passed on May 2019.
Rafiki belonged to Nkuringo gorilla group and it is the first to be habituated in this sector and was therefore named after the location at first sight in 1997. Following the loss of Rafiki, Nkuringo group now consists of 16 mountain gorillas – 3 black backs, 8 adult females, 2 juveniles and 3 infants. The death of the only remaining silver back is likely to affect other group members especially if a wild silver back joins them, there is a possibility for the group to split and undergo habituation again as they monitor their behavior before tourist are allowed to access the family. Since its formation in 1997 Nkuringo family was led by silver back Nkuringo by then and later Rafiki took over leadership since 2008, unfortunately poachers made his leadership short lived. The group was opened for tourism in 2004 after successfully being habituated. It is noted in a period of one-year Nkuringo group has lost two members including silver back karungi who passed on in May 2019.
Other gorilla families include;
Bikingi gorilla was habituated in early 2012 when members from mishaya family walked away from the group meeting several wild gorillas. Bikingi is comprised of 15 individuals including; 1 silverback, 5 adult females, 2 sub-adults, 2 juveniles and 5 infants.
Bushaho group formed from Nkuringo group when silver back Bahati moved away with some members of Nkuringo group, they were later joined by un habituated gorillas and was followed up to monitor the behavior of the two separate groups. Then the group was later habituated and named Bushaho. It is composed of 8 individuals led by silver back Bahati,1 black back,3 adult females,1 juvenile and I infant.
Accessing Nkuringo
Nkuringo is south of the park, it can be easily accessed through Kampala- kabale (10 hours’ drive) alternatively there is an option of a short drive from arriving form Kigali and cross through kabale-katuna border to Nkuringo.
Accommodation in Nkuringo
There are quite number of listed high end, midrange and budget accommodation facilities in Nkuringo. These include, Clouds lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Albertine Gorilla campsite, Nkuringo gorilla camp, Shongi camp, chameleon hill lodge among others.
