Nkuringo Gorilla Group
Nkuringo Gorilla Group, is found in Nkuringo region of Bwindi impenetrable forests in the southwest part of Uganda, it’s one of the biggest national parks in Africa to inhabit the mountain Gorillas.
The park inhabits 10 habituated gorilla families of mountain Gorillas and Nkuringo Gorilla Group is one of the 10 habituated groups and the only gorilla family in Nkuringo sector.
Nkuringo is a local word meaning ‘Rolling hills’. It was named after the rolling hills where the group was first spotted. The habituation of this group started in 2004.
Before, the Nkuringo Gorilla Group was led by a silverback called Nkuringo, who later on died in 2008. After his death two silverbacks managed to take over power Rafiki and Safari.
Although his son safari managed to take over power and became the leader after a period of seven months. In his leadership the group welcomed a bundle of joy, when the female gorilla Kwitonda gave birth to twins Muhoozi and Katungi, unfortunately Katungi could not live to his second birthday he died at the age of one and a half due to an illness.
The group was always found wandering in the villages, feeding on banana plantations, sweet potatoes and feeding on people’s crops which created a lot of problems with the local people, living near the forests.
Its behavior led to the main reason why the group was considered for habituation process (training the mountain Gorillas to be close to humans). After the habituation of the group was then open for tourists and this also increased on the needs of the local people where by they started benefiting from tourism and protection.
The gorilla trek is the hardest in all the sectors of Bwindi National Park which needs more of energy and physical fitness although there are few who complain of being exhausted after this lifetime thrilling experience which can not be forgotten while you encounter with the mountain Gorillas.
The trek to meet the Nkuringo Gorilla Group takes a period of 3 hours and one is allowed to spend only one hour with the group as they enjoy the day to experience as they play, feed ,display their nests and many more in the jungle.