Are you planning gorilla trekking in Rushaga and Nkuringo gorilla regions? Do you plan to travel from Kigali? Nkuringo region is one of the gorilla regions of Bwindi impenetrable national Park It’s always a 5-hour drive from Kigali to Rushaga and Nkuringo inclusive of border crossing which makes it less tiresome for traveler’s and more suitable for visitors on short holidays.

The Rushaga gorilla region is also close to Nkuringo, they are the two sectors in the south of Bwindi impenetrable national Park where you can trek and see the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat in the world and most renowned for gorilla habituation experience which is a unique experience from the rest of the sectors of Bwindi.

Uganda has half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas in the world, it is such a life time experience to watch the endangered and rare mountain gorillas which have 95% DNA as human beings in Rushaga and Nkuringo gorilla region

What to expect on gorilla trekking in Rushaga and Nkuringo from Kigali?

• Trekking: Gorilla tracking refers to moving in the forest to see/view a given habituated mountain gorilla family. Gorilla trackers/advanced team/rangers use many signs and methods to trace these gorillas before gorilla trekking takes place, the trackers wakeup very early every morning and go to the forest in search for these mountain gorillas where they spent the last night and then inform the Park guides about their movement.  
• Briefing: The Park guides will brief you on the dos and don’ts and then start to walk and trek in the forest as they are directed by the trackers. This gives you 99% chances of seeing the gorillas in their natural environment in Nkuringo and Rushaga g gorilla regions.
• Gorilla Permit: The gorilla trekking permits costs USD800 per person for Non- Foreign Residents, USD700 for Foreign Residents and Uganda Shillings 300,000 per person for East African Citizen and allows you one hour of watching the gorillas once you find them

Other activities to do in Rushaga and Nkuringo Gorilla regions

• Gorilla Habituation experience

Gorilla Habituation experience allows you to spend four hours with mountain gorillas still undergoing habituation. Only four people are allowed to do gorilla habituation activity in Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda, with this you are required to book your gorilla habituation permit in advance to secure your place.

The experience starts and takes up to half or a full day depending on the time you take to find them. during this experience, you visit the gorillas that are in the process of being habituated and the gorillas are not yet used to Visitors and act wild, with researchers and guides, you monitor the way gorillas feed, move, rest and also communicate with them.

• Trek to the top of the World

This is also one of the interesting hikes you can do in Nkuringo, it is short walk from Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. You stroll through Nkuringo village and take some small foot paths to the top of the world. Beautiful views overlooking the surrounding mountains, valleys and ridges. The hike is about 2-3 hours.

• Gorilla Buffer Zone Walk

A buffer zone is a transition zone between Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the cultivated areas where the people live. Nowadays a lot of tea is grown in the buffer. You will be able to see various tea plantations and other crops grown by the locals.

• Batwa cultural experience

The Batwa experience is also an interesting activity to do in Nkuringo and Rushaga. The Buniga Forest Trail showcases the life of the Batwa native pygmies their historical nomadic cultures when they occupied the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest until 1991 when the forest was gazette as a national park. The tribe was forced out of the park and since then have been struggling to cope with modern life outside the jungle. The Buniga forest trail is a USAID initiative put together to help the Batwa community earn a living from tourism around the UNESCO world heritage site. This walk is truly an experience, not challenging at all, but rather informative and exciting.

• Ivy River forest walk

This Ivy River route ascends and descends gently through beautiful areas of the rain forest with several viewpoints from the marram road to Nkuringo overlooking lush mist shrouded valleys. The trail is also an important footpath for local people travelling to and from Nkuringo particularly on market days to Nteko village on the southern boundary of the park. Monkeys, duikers, bush pigs and some of Bwindi’s world renowned bird and butterfly species can be sighted.

• Visiting the Suma Waterfalls

The waterfall is found in a village called Suma the waterfall is surrounded by different species of trees that are home to plenty of endemic bird species, for example, Northern Double Collared Sun Bird, the Violet Backed Starling and the Great Blue Eared Starling. This activity can be done any time but the best time is in the morning hours.

• Birding experience

Nkuringo and Rushaga region of Bwindi Forest National Park is a home to various unique bird species including the Albertine Rift Endemic birds and it is a place to be for Bird watchers, Key bird species to spot on your birding tour in Bwindi National Park include Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, and many others.

Where to stay in Nkuringo and Rushaga region of Bwindi?

Rushaga and Nkuringo Regions are close to each other, you can stay in lodges in one region and do activities in another region as its only less than an hour drive between them. The lodge rooms can sell out during the high season and we encourage you to book in advance

Nkuringo sector has a number of lodges;  

• Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge
• Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge
• Gorilla heights Lodge

Rushaga Sector has several lodge options;

• Four gorillas lodge
• Rushaga Gorilla camp
• Gorilla Leisure Lodge
• Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
• Kaara Safari lodge
• Gorilla safari lodge
• Ichumbi Lodge.

Book your Gorilla trekking in Rushaga and Nkuringo Region?

Wilder Africa Holidays offers amazing gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda, we have different packages such as gorilla safaris from Kigali, Gorilla safaris from Entebbe, Fly-in gorilla safaris, all this can be booked depending on your time, budget and interest.  Contact us for our discounted packages and also tailor-made trips now to plan your gorilla trekking experience to Rushaga and Nkruingo Gorilla regions from Kigali.