When it comes to exceptional primate adventure experiences, no experience compares the striking encounter with the rare mountain gorillas in the tropical rain-forests of East Africa. Gorilla habituation experience in African is considerably the newest gorilla experience primate enthusiasts on Uganda safari can engage in. It is undoubtedly a unique experience offered only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda about 9-10 hours’ drive from Kampala capital city of Uganda and 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali capital city of Rwanda.
Gorilla habituation experience was introduced early in January, 2014 by Uganda Wildlife Authority, an organ which is mandated to sustainably manage and conserve wildlife in Uganda. There no actual definition of gorilla habituation experience but it is rather a process in which the wild mountain gorillas are made accustomed to human presence prior officially opening them for gorilla trekking.
What is gorilla habituation experience?
Visitors on gorilla habituation experience are accompanied by researchers, trackers, conservationists, scientists and this gorilla adventure is always carried out in a semi habituated group. The process of initiating mountain gorillas get used to human presence normally takes about 2 or even more years depending on how fast they can easily be made accustomed to human presence in the wild. Some may even take less than a 1 year and they can be ready for gorilla trekking.
This primate adventure involves the whole day of following a semi habituated gorilla family in the rain-forest. On finding a gorilla group, you will be allowed to spend 4 hours face to face these great apes, take pictures and have an in-depth exploration about their daily behaviors.
Where to go for gorilla habituation experience
Gorilla habituation experience is only carried out in Kutu gorilla family group in Rushaga region, the Southern gorilla trekking region in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Presently, this gorilla family is still undergoing habituation.
Cost of gorilla habituation experience permits
The rates for gorilla habituation experience vary depending on the category of visitors; the Foreign Non Residents (FNR) pay $1500 to book habituation permit; Foreign Residents (FR) pay $1000 and the East African Community (EAC) citizens pay Uganda shillings 750000.
What is included on the cost of gorilla habituation permit?
Like gorilla trekking permits, fees for mountain gorilla habituation experience are charged per person and they include the park guide fee, park entrance fees for the day and community development contribution. The price is ideally worth your trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to participate in this unique primate adventure as it takes you the whole day following mountain gorillas and remarkably, you have 4 hours of faces to face with these humble apes while in their natural habitat.
When to book gorilla habituation experience
Unlike gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation experience is strictly conducted by only 4 trekkers per day. The demand for permits is high and we advise our clients to ensure they secure their permits in advance at least 6 months before the actual habituation day. It is possible for you to book your habituation permit through our reservation team or directly through reservation team at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) whose headquarters are based in Kampala. Note, only persons above 15 years are eligible and aside from obtaining a gorilla permit, you will also require a valid passport.
Difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience
While both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience all present trekkers on Uganda safari opportunity to get up close with the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild, the 2 activities are generally distinct. Gorilla trekking is restricted to 8 visitors per gorilla family and usually done in habituated gorilla groups unlike gorilla habituation experience which is limited to 4 visitors and it is carried out in semi-habituated gorilla groups.
What to pack for gorilla habituation experience
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Waterproof daypack
- At least 2 bottled drinking water
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Trousers
- Insect repellents
- Camera with no flashlight camera
- Gardening gloves
- Sun glasses
- Sweater
- First aid kit
- Energy giving snacks
Gorilla safari lodges in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The recommended gorilla safari lodges to stay in Rushaga region after or before your gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge and many more.
Getting to Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Rushaga region is a Southern gorilla trekking area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and this premier gorilla safari park is set in Southwestern Uganda. It can easily be reached by road or by air. By road, it is possible for you to start your journey from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara to Kabale and this may cover between 9 and 10 hours of driving.
The other alternative route takes you from Kigali Rwanda via Katuna or Chanika border to Bwindi and your journey may cover between 3 and 4 hours.
By air, trekkers on gorilla habituation tour can take a flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip where you drive to your lodge in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.