Nkuringo Gorilla Family
Nkuringo Gorilla Family: Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is in the south western part of Uganda gifted with over 324 species of trees, 200 species of butterflies, 120 species of mammals, various primates, several moths, over 30 elephants and much more.
The Nkuringo gorilla family is among the habituated groups of gorillas in Bwindi national park, the group derives its name from the hills they were first sighted from the word Nkuringo in the local dialect means “ round hill”.
The Nkuringo gorilla family was opened up for tourists to trek in 2004, this mountain gorilla group was habituated because of the trouble they were in intact if the group was not habituated the locals would have killed a number of them by now.
The Nkuringo gorilla family had an habit of encroaching into peoples farmlands eating crops so they decided to open up the group for tourism so that the locals could benefit and gain from the income derived from tourism and the group could also be protected from the angry local victims whose crops were eaten.
The first dominating silverback of this group was known as Nkuringo who died in 2008, Nkuringo was the father of two other silverbacks Safari and Rafiki. Safari took over the leadership of the group after the death of their father and the group was shortly blessed with a set of twins though one did not live to see his second birthday.
The Nkuringo area of Bwindi forest impenetrable national park has got 3 habituated gorilla groups, the group is one of the hardest gorilla groups to trek so it will require physical fitness for tourists though the reward afterwards is worth because a part from encountering gorillas you will feel the serene panoramic environment of this most beautiful area of Bwindi.
While trekking the Nkuringo gorilla family tourists will have stunning g views of Mafuha forest, striking landscapes and lake Bunyonyi the lake of little birds. For bird enthusiasts they can visit Mubwindi swamp and encounter various species of birds and there are also lots of other primates to be seen.
One of the activities that one must not miss while trekking the endangered mountain gorillas is hiking the Batwa trail, the ancient Batwa people lived in this forests with mountain gorillas for about 500,000 years before they were evicted, there’s lot to learn about this forest people including how they heal several ailments from the tree species within the forest.
Tourists trekking gorillas in the Nkuringo area of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can sleep in lodges such as; Nkuringo gorilla camp, clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Nyundo valley hill Banda’s, chameleon hill lodge and Nshongi camp.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda costs $600 person, tourists will be allowed to observe mountain gorillas for 1 hours after finding them. Gorilla habituation experience costs $1500 per person this involves joining researchers in habituating mountain gorillas for 4 hours after finding them.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can easily be reached from Kigali Rwanda in about 4-5 hours and 9-10 hours from Kampala the capital of Uganda, alternatively tourists can fly on to Kisoro and them drive to the park.
