Lodges in the Nkuringo Sector: The Nkuringo Sector is the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is home to some of the habituated mountain gorilla families. In this sector, there are about 3 habituated gorilla families. These include the Nkuringo gorilla family, the Bushaho gorilla group, and the Christmas family. The Bushaho gorilla family is fond of crossing to the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. Do not be surprised when you meet the family in either sector.
In this sector, there are about 24 gorilla permits available for travelers to see the mountain gorillas each day. The gorilla trekking permits in this sector cost about 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 500 USD for the rest of Africa, and 300,000 UGX for the East African residents.
The best lodges in the Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi
In the Nkuringo sector, there are several lodges that tourists can stay at. These lodges are categorized into luxury, midrange, and budget. Luxury lodges in the Nkuringo sector offer high-end services and may not be the best for budget travelers. On the other hand, budget and midrange lodges in the Nkuringo Sector can be affordable to budget tourists. Some of these facilities include;
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
This facility is under a group of lodges belonging to the Wild Places. The lodge is a top luxury facility that travelers can choose to stay in on their luxury safaris to the Nkuringo Sector. It is set on a mountain ridge with nice views of the magnificent Virunga volcanoes and the Great Rift Valley.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is on the Nteko Ridge with one of the best views of the park. In this lodge also, travelers see the Kashasha river valley. It has over 10 cottages that travelers can stay in during the safari.
Chameleon Hill Lodge
The facility is located on the shores of Lake Mutanda and has one of the best views of the lake and the surrounding volcanoes. This facility was named Chameleon because of the different colors of chalets, rooms, and many others. It is constructed in the Euro-African style that travelers on their safaris can stay in.
Lake Mutanda Lodge
This lodge overlooks Lake Mutanda and the backdrops of the volcanoes of the Virunga. It is made up of 13 cottages that are positioned on the private veranda with amazing views of the lake and the rooms are composed of double, single, twin, triple, and family rooms.
Gorilla Heights Lodge
Gorilla Heights Lodge is within the sector of Nkuringo and this facility is near the Kisoro airstrip for travelers interested in domestic flights to the sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is made up of 15 spacious rooms that are designed in the African style. Midrange facilities are facilities that travelers engage in on their safaris to the Nkuringo sector that are slightly lower than the luxury facilities. These midrange facilities are situated around the sector for travelers and they include;
Nkuringo gorilla Camp
This midrange facility is located within the sector at the Ntebeko ridge which is about 2161 meters above sea level with the best views of the Bwindi forests and the Kashasha River. The Kashasha River Trail in this sector is one of the best places for guided nature walks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The facility has several cottages with private rooms, veranda, and Wi-Fi available in every room.
Bweza Gorilla Lodge
Bweza Gorilla Lodge is at the boundary of the starting point of the gorilla trekking within the sector and it is also near the Kisoro airstrip which is a place where domestic flights in southwestern Uganda usually take place. It is made up of 5 spacious rooms that travelers on their safaris can stay in during their gorilla safaris.
Bwindi Backpackers
Bwindi Backpackers is another midrange facility that travelers can stay in during their safaris. It is about 20 to 30 minutes from the Uganda Wildlife Authority Nkuringo sector briefing point. It is also near Kisoro town where travelers take about 1 hour. Budget accommodation facilities are facilities that travelers on a tight budget can stay in during the safari. These facilities offer comfort to travelers while on their safaris to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Nkuringo sector. These facilities are situated around the park and they include;
Nshongi Camp
This budget accommodation facility is a few kilometers from the starting point of the gorilla trekking in the park. It is made up of the traditional camps that travelers and there are about 4 in number four travelers to stay on the safari. The camps are crafted in an African lifestyle and with the best panoramic views of the park and the surrounding volcanoes.
Mutanda Community Centre
This facility lies on the southern shores of Lake Mutanda and it is another best budget facility that travelers on their safaris can stay in. In this center, there are the best camping facilities that travelers on their safaris can stay in with the best meals prepared within the facility. It offers camping spaces for travelers who would wish to camp and travelers can come up with their tents to the camp. There are over also 4 cabins that can also accommodate travelers on their safaris.
What is the best time to visit Nkuringo Sector?
The sector is open for travelers throughout the year. The best time is during the dry season June to September and December to February when the park is dry and clear for travelers to engage in any activity around the park. Also in the dry season, the siting of the wildlife is easy compared to that in the wet season. Travelers in the dry season are supposed to book in time to ensure availability during the safari.
