Scenic Nkuringo – Gorilla Trekking and the Habituation Experience
Nkuringo – the most scenic part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – now with Gorilla Families
Scenic Nkuringo is located at the Southend of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Scenic Nkuringo is overlooking CNN Travel’s pick in 2019 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as the most beautiful place in the world. From here, you have equally stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes and Mgahinga Gorilla Park, which in 2019 was the “Third Must Photograph” place in the world.
Scenic Nkuringo is the ideal location for photographers because of the stunning scenery, the mountain gorillas, other primates, forest elephants, birds, and the culture found in this area.
The Scenic Nkuringo area, with its challenging treks and hikes, is the must-see destination for avid outdoor enthusiasts. It even caught the eye of CNN Travel, who put the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as having the Best Hiking Trails in the world in 2019.
Nkuringo and surrounding is an experience for the eyes. Its trails, a challenge of your stamina and endurance. The Encounter with the Gentle Giants, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, will remain forever.
Scenic Nkuringo – The Things to Do & See:
From the Nkuringo Trailhead that is the entrance into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you can trek three Gorilla Families. The trail begins with a six-hundred-meter descent and ends with a six-hundred-meter ascent. In between the two is the Gorilla Trek itself, including one hour with a Gorilla Family.
We suggest that you bring the right Gorilla Gear and wear the proper clothing. Additionally, we recommend the use of a walking stick and the assist of a porter.
The length of a gorilla trek is five-hours here. The level of difficulty requires a moderate level of fitness.
Staying in Nkuringo gives you the nearby Gorilla Habituation Experience option. It is an all-day trek with more time with a gorilla family where you are an active participant and not just an observer like in a regular gorilla trek.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience near Nkuringo:
It is for those that want more time with the Mountain Gorillas. The Gorilla Habituation Experience is more private. There are fewer participants.
It is a learning experience where you are not just an observer. You get more insights into the life of the mountain gorillas.
Reasons for doing the Gorilla Habituation Experience
- There are 4 participants instead of 8.
- You are in the presence of the Gorillas for 4-hours instead of only one.
- You are a Handson participant in the Habituation Experience Process.
The Permit Cost for the Gorilla Habituation Experience is 1,500 USD giving you more time with a Gorilla Family.
Visit the First People of the Forest – the Batwa:
While in Nkuringo, you can see the forest through the eyes of its first people of the forest, the Indigenous Batwa People. It is a cultural and learning experience. See how the Batwa lived in harmony with nature, leaving a low ecological footprint behind them.
They were hunters and gathers until evicted from the National Parks. Today they are conservation refugees.
The Buniga Batwa Forest Walk and the Batwa Bwindi Experience can be done from Nkuringo. Both are Cultural and Learning Experiences that are not to be missed.
A Visit with the indigenous Batwa People is an enriching and informative time for you.
Nkuringo Hiking Trails:
Nkuringo has become a hiker’s dream. Even CNN Travel recognized that Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the best-hiking destinations in the world.
In Nkuringo, there are two trails through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the Buhoma area. The hikes area five and seven hours in length.
From Nkuringo, you can hike down to Lake Mutanda. Continue the trail by paddling in a dugout canoe to close to Kisoro.
Nkuringo, where you can hike both in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and outside of the park, is one of Uganda’s best Hiking Destinations. You can add on a day of Volcano Climbing in nearby Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Lodging in Nkuringo:
Nkuringo is home to one of Uganda’s top Luxury Gorilla Trekking Lodges, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. The Lodge has been featured in countless Travel Publications. When it comes to reviews, there are just raves from guests who have stayed there.
From Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, you have sweeping views of both the Virunga Volcanoes and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Gorilla Trekking Trailhead is just a few meters from the Lodge
There are also various mid-range and budget lodges in the area. If you, however, want an unparalleled Lodging experience than Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is the right choice for you.
Getting to Nkuringo:
The closest International Airport to Nkuringo is the Kigali International Airport. From the airport, it is a four-hour drive to Nkuringo. It is the reason that we suggest that you fly into Rwanda and Trek Gorillas in Uganda. You save money and drive-time.
If you begin your Gorilla Safari in Entebbe, the drive-time to Nkuringo is ten-hours. The lengthy drive-time is the reason we suggest other parks such as Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Lake Mburo Park in a Ugandan Gorilla Safari that begins in Entebbe.
You can take the ninety-minute flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro. From Kisoro to Nkuringo, it is a one-hour drive.
Scenic Nkuringo – if you would like to include the Nkuringo Area in your safari with us – please contact us
