Hiking Activities in Nkuringo, Bwindi

Trek to the top of the world (2 to 3 hrs)

A short walk from Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. You stroll through Nkuringo village and take some small footpaths to the top of the world. Beautiful views overlooking the surrounding mountains, valleys, and ridges. A great way to stretch your legs after gorilla tracking. Beautiful in the afternoon when the sun is setting.

Buffer Zone Walk (2 to 3 hours)

A buffer zone is a transition zone between Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the cultivated areas where the people live. Nowadays, a lot of tea is grown in the buffer zone because gorillas do not like tea. Therefore they go back into the forest instead of eating whatever they can find in the farmers’ gardens. This walk is excellent for birding and learning about the rural farming communities.

Buniga Forest Trail Walk (3 hrs)

USAID and the local Batwa community run this project. The Batwa tribe had to leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1991 when it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for the gorillas only. As the Batwa lived in the forest as nomads surviving on flora and fauna around them, moving out and suddenly living in communities with a completely different way of life has proven to be a considerable challenge. However, some manage well and use their rich heritage to promote their previous life in the forest to earn a living.

This walk is truly an experience. Not challenging at all but rather informative and exciting, it is an eye-opener to see how the Batwa managed to survive in the forest.

Suma Water Fall Walk (4 to 5 hrs)

It is also a community walk across villages. The waterfall is in a village called Suma. It’s a 6 km walk from Nkuringo. When going to the waterfalls, you pass one of the biggest villages in the area, with more than 500 people. The village has a man famous for having 16 wives. The waterfall is surrounded by different species of trees that are home to plenty of endemic bird species, for example, Northern Double Collared Sun Bird, the Violet Backed Starling and the Great Blue Eared Starling. This activity is available at any time, but the best time is in the morning hours.

Nombe Pocket Forest Walk (5 to 6 hrs)

The pocket forest was part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is still quite impenetrable. It was cut off from the forest as people needed more land to live on and cultivate. It takes around 2 hours to get there, 2 hours on the edge of the forest, and 2 hours to walk back. The walk takes you through beautiful little farming villages. Nombe Pocket Forest is exceptional for birding.

Hike through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

There are 2 routes through Bwindi Impenetrable forest, which take you from Nkuringo in the South to Buhoma in the North. These trails serve two purposes: trekking through the thick primary rainforest with fantastic primates, birding, and spectacular scenery. The second is getting from the North to the south of Bwindi vice versa to continue your safari.

More about hiking through Bwindi

Ivy River Trail (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

Coffee tour, Lake Mutanda (8 hrs)

When you arrive in Kisoro, have your first cup of coffee at Gorilla Junction and go for a coffee tour. Our walking safari guide will not only show you the coffee plantation but will take you through the whole process from the plant to the actual cup of coffee. You will certainly appreciate each cup more after you have seen all the hard work that goes into it.

After, we transfer to Lake Mutanda for a 2.5 hours canoe tour. Just sit back whilst the local fisherman paddle you across this stunning lake in traditional dugout canoes. Admire the Islands and surrounding volcanoes that skirt the edge of the lake. The last part of the hike takes you through communities, past farmers. You won’t hear the sound of vehicles or heavy machinery, just the hum and energy of village life—an exceptional experience.