Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga or Nkuringo? Which is better?

Both Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are situated in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, particularly in the southern region.

Both Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors offer more challenging gorilla treks compared to the other sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In terms of accessibility, both the Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed via road transportation.

For travelers who have opted for air transportation, they will arrive at the closest airstrip of Kisoro. This is approximately 1-2 hours away by road.

There is a high possibility of encountering a habituated mountain gorilla family in either the Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

There are at least 8 gorilla groups in the Rushaga sector and these are Rwigi, Busingye, Bweza, Mishaya, Bikingi, Nshongi, Kahungye, and Mucunguzi among others. There are at least 3 gorilla groups in the Nkuringo sector and they include Bushabo, Nkuringo, and Christmas.

However, the Rushaga sector is the only place where a visitor can have a gorilla habituation experience.

Though both the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors can be accessed by road, Rushaga is nearer to the main road and towns compared to the Nkuringo sector.

Rushaga has more gorilla groups than Nkuringo which is 8 to 3 gorilla families therefore more gorilla treks occur in the former than the latter.

Trekking the habituated mountain gorillas in the Nkuringo sector is more challenging than in the Rushaga sector.

Both sectors have all 3 accommodation options that you can live in, including budget, mid-range, and luxury.

The Nkuringo sector offers nice views of Mountains Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira nestled in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Nkuringo sector is also the best site if you need a boat ride. You can make a stopover at either Lake Mutanda or Lake Mulehe in Kisoro district to enjoy a boat ride. This safari can be enjoyed either after or before the gorilla trekking adventure in the Nkuringo sector.

The Nkuringo sector is more suitable for longer gorilla treks compared to the Rushaga sector since the latter has steeper trails. However, if you are an adventure seeker, the Rushaga sector is the most suitable for you since it contains rough terrain compared to the Nkuringo sector.

Rushaga is the nearer sector to Kigali via the Cyanika border for those who desire to do a gorilla trek from Rwanda. However, for those traveling from Kampala or Entebbe, Rushaga is more difficult to access as it takes about 10-11 hours to drive to the site.

Besides a gorilla trek, you can do birdwatching, a community tour, and a guided nature walk at the Rushaga sector.

Rushaga sector offers both gorilla trekking tours and gorilla habituation experiences, unlike Nkuringo which only offers gorilla trekking tour experiences.

The best time to go for a Gorilla Trek in Rushaga and Nkuringo Sectors

A gorilla trek in either the Rushaga sector or the Nkuringo sector can be done throughout the year. But if you are seeking a gorilla trek where you can move on less muddy and slippery terrain, the dry season is the best time to visit. The dry season occurs twice each year from December to February and June to August or early September. The weather conditions during the dry season also ensure that your gorilla trekking adventure is not interrupted by rainfall. This is because the chances of rain are very minimal. The visibility within the forest is also much better due to less dense vegetation cover and clear skies. The days are usually warmer and drier compared to the cooler and humid conditions of the rainy season.

But if you are an adventure seeker and love the mystery that comes with locating mountain gorillas hiding in dense vegetation cover, visit during the rainy season. This season runs from March to May and from late September to November. The trails are muddy and slippery, which makes the navigation more challenging compared to the trails during the dry season. The rainy season also occurs during the low season of tourism. Hence there are a few visitors which subsequently offers more intimate adventures for you. The low season also ensures that discounts are provided for accommodation facilities hence more suitable for budget travelers.

What to pack for a Gorilla Trek in Rushaga or Nkuringo

Strong hiking shoes or a pair of boots. Gaiters to protect the shoes and your legs from being tarnished with mud and water
Rain jacket or poncho to avoid getting wet during a rainy day
Light long-sleeved shirt and trousers that can cover your skin from insect bites and direct sunlight.
Broad-brimmed hat to provide sufficient shade on your head and face against sunshine during an extremely warm day.
UV sunglasses
Sunscreen
Refillable water bottle to hydrate yourself during the adrenaline hiking adventure
Daypack to carry your first aid kit, picnic lunch, and other essential items
Digital camera, extra battery, and charger

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

We went on a two-week trip with my family, organised by Coleb from Standard Safaris.

I had my concerns about organised trips, but this one didn’t justify any of those. Everything went very smoothly, even when some problems arose with one of the cars it got fixed by next morning, the accomodations were clean and comfortable, the programs were exciting and well-balanced - everything was done to a truly high standard.

If you plan to visit Uganda and are looking for a guide, I warmly recommend Coleb and his team. In case you have a choice of drivers, go for Godwin, his presence made this trip even more enjoyable - cheerful, helpful, good sense of humour, generally a great person. Just look for the guy with a big smile and big heart:)

Bert Simoens

09:38 08 Jan 24

We recently embarked on a safari adventure with Standard Safaris in Uganda, which was truly exceptional. Our guide, Yonah, was outstanding - his kindness, knowledge, and discretion significantly enhanced our experience. He was the heart of our trip.

The local company's planning was offering a tailor-made journey that matched our interests. We saw an array of wildlife in Murchison, enjoyed rafting at Jinja, and experienced mountain biking at Sipi. A visit to Kidepo National Park was a highlight and comes highly recommended.

The vehicle provided was comfortable and reliable. We highly recommend Standard Safaris for anyone seeking an unforgettable safari in Uganda. Their professionalism and the exceptional guidance of staff like Yonah make them an great choice.

Michał Kostrzewa

00:41 15 Nov 23

We are all extremely grateful Standard Safaris for an incredible East Africa experience. I recently booked a custom trip for group of 8 people, including an 8-year-old boy, from Kampala through Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Rwanda and Burundi. Coleb delivered on everything that was discussed and agreed upon beforehand.

The car provided was in great condition and our driver Meddy went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and had the best possible time. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. All local services were inlcuded in (reasonable) price that we agreed, so there was no need to worry about payments during the 6 day trip. Also Standard Safaris agreed took care about safety and security by helping us organize armed ranger while in the park.

The whole trip was hassle-free and smooth. We saw amazing wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP, took in the sights of Rwanda and Burundi, and made lifelong memories.

I would happily book with Standard Safaris again in a heartbeat and recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone looking for the best East Africa trip. They provide top-notch service while ensuring you have an incredible, customized experience. If you want a hassle-free, flawlessly organized African adventure, Standard Safaris is the tour operator to book with.

Ivan Nammanda

18:31 27 Oct 23

Very organized travel operator who chose awesome guide to make our trip wonderful.

We booked a nine days trip with Standard Safaris and all was perfect from start to finish. Coleb was very prompt at replying and easy to liaise with ahead of the trip. We had done a lot of research and had an itinerary in mind and Coleb helped us to put everything together to make this happen for a very reasonable price.  On the trip we had a private vehicle for the whole tour which was exactly what we wanted. Bryan was our driver and an amazing guide - really friendly and knowledgable, working hard to find the things that we wanted to see and quickly understanding what was of interest to us/how much information to give.

Would highly recommend a trip to Uganda with Standard Safaris. We are definitely coming back soon!

MUGAIGA KENNETH

18:01 27 Oct 23

The company has very courteous tour guides with wide knowledge of fauna and frola in the whole of East Africa.
The choice of safari Lodges is good with first class treatment.
Game drive security is assured.
Almost The whole of September I was traversing through DRC, Uganda,and Rwanda on a gorilla tour and wildlife expedition.
Everything was arranged and booked perfectly by Standard Safaris.
The owner, Coleb was always helpful whenever we needed to ask questions about this gorilla safari in Uganda and beyond.
It was a complex expedition but Standard safaris and Coleb made it look amazingly easy.
I’ll recommend Standard safaris 200%, for all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and wildlife tours in east africa.

travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

This is so far the best gorilla trekking company in Uganda, and africa, by far. I had a wonderful time with Standard Safaris as a solo traveler.
My guide was excellent and our safari planner, Coleb was quick with responses and the prices were very friendly.
I’ll definitely book with Standard safaris on my next gorilla tour in Rwanda and Uganda.

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