Introducing Uganda Through Nkuringo Safaris and Eco Lodges

What if every traveller could help restore forests, strengthen local communities, and protect wildlife simply by choosing where they stay? Gorilla Junction is proving that conservation and community empowerment are strongest when they grow together.

Nkuringo Safaris is a Ugandan-owned safari company and lodge collection that combines conservation, community engagement, and exceptional wildlife experiences across Uganda's most iconic landscapes.

Founded by Lydia Eva Mpanga, CEO of Nkuringo Safaris, the company's story began in 2007 as a simple campsite on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and a community walking initiative designed to create employment opportunities for local young people. What started as a grassroots tourism project has grown into one of Uganda's leading safari brands, offering tailor-made journeys throughout Uganda and Rwanda alongside a collection of lodges positioned along the country's celebrated gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife circuit.

At the heart of the company is a commitment to ensuring that tourism benefits both people and wildlife. Through long-standing partnerships with local communities and the work of the Gorilla Junction Foundation, tourism revenue helps support livelihoods, local enterprises, cultural experiences and conservation awareness in the areas surrounding Uganda's protected wilderness regions.

Nkuringo Safaris help guests approach these encounters respectfully, with attention to photography consent, community preferences, and wildlife regulations. These give interested clients practical ways to engage with the places they visit.

For a closer look, explore their media kit and lodge eBrochure.

Nkuringo's lodge collection reflects the diversity of Uganda's landscapes and experiences:
• Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge overlooks the ancient Bwindi Forest and the Virunga Volcanoes, offering one of the closest luxury bases to the Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector.
• Mirima Forest Lodge in Kibale provides easy access to Uganda's renowned chimpanzee tracking experiences within one of Africa's most important tropical forests.
• Marafiki Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a gateway to classic wildlife encounters, from game drives to boat safaris along the Kazinga Channel.
• Papyrus Guest House in Entebbe provides a welcoming introduction to Uganda and a convenient start or conclusion to a safari journey.
 

Beyond wildlife viewing, Nkuringo encourages meaningful engagement with local communities through guided village walks, cultural experiences, craft initiatives and conservation-focused programs that allow travellers to gain a deeper understanding of the people who live alongside these remarkable ecosystems.

"Our vision has always been to create meaningful travel experiences that protect our natural heritage while ensuring local communities benefit directly from tourism," says Lydia. "We believe that conservation, community development and exceptional guest experiences should go hand in hand."