Each journey may begin with a single step, but some require a few more steps than others – Always a call for One More Adventure! Buhoma to Nkuringo Bwindi forest walking safari, will reward you with one of the most outstanding hikes you have ever encountered.
Hiking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, is one of the best hiking adventures one will ever dream of undertaking cutting across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which is home to half of the world’s endangered Mountain gorillas. There is so much other than just gorilla in Bwindi forest, and Buhoma to Nkuringo hiking trail, is just one of them. Other hiking trails include Nkuringo – Rushaga hiking (6 – 7 hrs), and Rushaga – Kisoro hiking via Lake Mutanda (5 – 6hrs). You can as well as combine as these 3 trails into one hiking adventure walking safari trip, spiced with a day of gorilla trekking. You can look out on our proposed 6 days walking tour;
6 Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Walking Safaris
Spending time with the gorillas, at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, obviously, is the highlight of many trips to Bwindi, and the majority of tourists miss out on the Buhoma – Nkuringo hiking highlights. If you have one, take a go pro. Photos can’t capture the surprise interactions you may have with these magnificent creatures “gorillas”, but again, taking the Buhoma – Nkuringo trek, will just spice your gorilla adventure tour preparation as you get to know more about the park and its people during the Buhoma to Nkuringo walking tour, as the local guide, will high more about the park, since you have more undivided interactive and informative time with the local guide. Your local guide has an expansive wealth of knowledge, and has lived around the park for years, you will just be blown away by the walk, and the fun along the way.
The walking safari across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest through Ivy trail or Kashasha hiking trails are the most rewarding hiking adventure in this pristine jungle after the gorilla trekking excursion or before. The walking adventure offers two trails going in either direction between Buhoma in the north of Bwindi (UWA Bwindi Headquarters) and Nkuringo in the south of Bwindi.
Ivy River Trail (3 to 4 hrs)
This Ivy River route ascends and descends gently through beautiful areas of the rain forest with several viewpoints from the marram road to Nkuringo, overlooking lush mist-shrouded valleys. The trail is also an important footpath for local people traveling to and from Nkuringo, particularly on market days, to Nteko village on the park’s southern boundary. Monkeys, duikers, bush pigs, and some of Bwindi’s world-renowned bird and butterfly species can be sighted.
Kashasha River Trail (6 to 7 hrs)
Slightly more challenging than the Ivy River Trail, the Kashasha River Trail offers visitors an up-close experience of the natural wonders within a rain forest environment. Birds are prolific in Bwindi, and your guide will point these out to you during your walk. Upon arrival in Buhoma, you may opt to proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park entrance and ranger guide fees required. These 2 walks can also be done in reverse order from Buhoma to Nkuringo.
The Buhoma – Nkuringo trail can be done vice versa, using two route, thus Buhoma to Nkuringo up to Nteko gate, via Ivy River, which is roughly 3 – 4 hours hike, and later drive to Nkuringo for about 10 km, or Buhoma to Nkuringo via Kashasha River, which is roughly a 6 – 7 hours hike.
From Buhoma to Nkuringo is more of ascending, great for those who really want to enjoy a greater challenging hiking experience, while the Nkuringo to Buhoma hike, is more of descending, quite a soft hike.
The Buhoma to Nkuringo trek across Bwindi forest is just outstanding as it is a real rain forest experience, a world heritage site which can only be accessed by foot. This makes it special for every person in the forest who has to make it their personal grunt to get to their destination without the aid of wheels or comfort.
There is much to experience, and encounter during your Buhoma – Nkuringo trek. The scenery is stunning, waterfalls, trees, ferns, rocks, mosses, birds, butterflies, gecko’s and a number of species of monkeys. Along the way, you will cross two river crossings which were not bridged, the first being a wade below the knees and the other walking across a tree log. After about 3 hours you leave the forest and come out onto the Kashasha River Valley, this will be at an altitude of around 1600 meters, as you enjoy the great guided walk learning more about the local communities and the batwa who live next to the forest.
Walking up to the ridge is amazing not only for the stunning views of the Virunga’s and village people working their crops on the steep hillsides but you begin to share the trail with more foot traffic as women and children come past with crops balanced on their heads.
You will engage on the last part of your walk, taking on steep hills, around 2100 meters above sea level, which is tougher, but rewarding with the stunning view across – it’s just beautiful here. You will get insights and information on every segment of the trek as you go along with your Buhoma to Nkuringo hiking trip.
The entire trekking experience across the forest will be absolutely amazing for you. You can include the walking safaris, in your Uganda gorilla trekking safari.
What to wear?
You will need good trekking shoes or walking shoes, waterproof ones are highly recommended. You will also need a back bag, and rain jackets as it can pour anytime. You will also need good sports clothes, as you’re on a real trekking adventure for 5 – 7 hours, exploring the beautiful Bwindi forest.
How long is the trek?
The Buhoma – Nkuringo trek is roughly 19 km, which takes between 6 – 7 hours depending on your physicality and walking speed. Your guide will walk at your pace, and there is no rush over. There are two options of walking trails, which is Buhoma to Nteko via Ivy River roughly 3 -4 hours (14 km) hike and Buhoma to Nkuringo via Kashasha River, which is roughly 6 – 7 hours hike.
How hard is the trek?
The trek is not that much physically demanding, anyone who can do a long walk can take on the trek. From Buhoma to Nkuringo, is more physical as you’re ascending and going against the steep hills, with a 500 m, steep gradient at the end of the trek, while from Nkuringo to Buhoma is more descending as you’re sloping.
What is the best routing option, Buhome – Nuringo routing or Nkuringo – Buhoma routing?
The walking safari across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest from Nkuringo in the south to Buhoma in the north through Ivy or Kashasha hiking trails is the most rewarding hiking adventure in this pristine jungle after the gorilla trekking excursion. The walking adventure offers two trails going in either direction between Buhoma in the north of Bwindi (UWA Bwindi Headquarters) and Nkuringo in the south of Bwindi.
You can opt for any direction depending on your general safari routing. If you’re coming from Kisoro, you may opt for Nkuringo to Buhoma, and if you’re coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may opt for Buhoma to Nkuringo routing. Other factors may be your gorilla trekking sector, or whether you wish to hike before your gorilla trekking or after, depending where your gorilla permit is allocated. Although Buhoma to Nkuringo trek, is more of ascending as you’re going against the higher altitude, opposed to the Nkuringo to Buhoma routing, which is more of descending as you’re sloping to lower altitude.
Are there chances to spot the gorillas?
Yes, you’re in the Bwindi forest, home to the mountain gorillas, and there are a number of wild unhabituated gorillas, and chimpanzees as well. A number of other primates and monkeys can be as well as sighted, but this all falls to luck
As the Buhoma to Nkuringo trek follows along the feeder’s lines to the gorilla sites, there is a chance that you’ll spot the mountain gorillas during the trek; however, we cannot guarantee any specific wildlife sightings.
At what time does the hike start?
The hike starts at 8; 30 am, with a briefing at park headquarters, as the trek is through the mighty Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Porter or no porter?
The porters are members of the local community, whose earning comes from trekking alongside with you, through providing all sorts of rendered assistance that you will need along the hiking adventure. Let it be the hiking trek or the gorilla trekking, you will need their assistance at one point. The trek is not easy but the ‘push me, pull me porters’ are amazing in ensuring you get to the bottom and back again. Make sure you use them. Even if you don’t want them to carry anything. Their names go on a roster and if you don’t use a porter he misses out on income and has to wait until his next roster opportunity. Using them helps the community and the gorillas.
At One More Adventure Safaris, we strongly recommend the use of the porters, as part and partial of our mission on social responsibility, to bring down the impact of tourism to the local community, thus supporting their livelihood, hence creating a difference!
Travel on foot when you really want to learn about a place. Whether you’re trekking in Bwindi forest National Park, by taking on Buhoma – Nkuringo hiking tour through majestic Bwindi forest, hiking brings you close to the land, nature and its people. Side trips help vary the pace and allow for cultural exploration.
Combine your Uganda gorilla trekking adventure and Buhoma to Nkuringo Bwindi forest walking safari, explore the area on foot, and do things the old-fashioned way.
At One More Adventure Safaris, we arrange a number of hiking and trekking experiences across the entire East Africa, as our area has a specialty in combination with other off beaten adventurous active adventures, culture, primate and wildlife safaris.
Like to hike, but looking for a fully self-supported primate and wilderness adventure? Please get in touch with our team at One More Adventure Safaris, and we craft for you, a hiking adventure for life, we take the stress out of planning so that you can focus on preparing for your hiking adventure. Sometimes the greatest beauty can only be appreciated at a slow pace—on two feet, immersed in the stories and the world around you! We love hiking just as much as you do!
