Bwindi South: Rushaga and Nkuringo

Hills folded like crumpled paper, and the gorilla families that live among them.

Best time

Jun-Sep and Dec-Feb are drier; trekking is possible year-round

Budget

Premium: the gorilla permit is the main cost

Ideal stay

3 days

Last checked

2026-10-19

The southern end of Bwindi feels like another country from the forest edge at Buhoma. Rushaga and Nkuringo sit among steep, farmed hills, with the forest spilling down the slopes and mist hanging in the valleys. On a clear day the views stretch toward the Virunga volcanoes. Rushaga is home to several gorilla families, which makes it a good option when permits are hard to find elsewhere. It is also where visitors can join a longer habituation experience, spending more time with a family that is still getting used to people. Nkuringo is for people who like their treks with a view. The terrain is steep, the climbs are real, and many walkers finish feeling they earned it. Either way, the reward is the same: a quiet hour face to face with a family of mountain gorillas.

Getting there

Southwestern Uganda, close to the Rwandan and Congolese borders. A full day from Kampala by road, with rougher roads in the final stretch. Many travellers combine it with Lake Bunyonyi.