GORILLA HABITUATION IN UGANDA 2021/2022
Gorilla habituation in Uganda is an extra-ordinary primate adventure experience offered to visitors on Uganda gorilla safari. It is a new experience that was recently introduced by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and unlike the usual gorilla treks, gorilla habituation experience is only carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Southwestern Uganda. It was launched on 1st January, 2014. Bushaho and Bikingi gorilla families were the two gorilla groups that were designated for gorilla habituation experience but later, they were officially opened for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla habituation takes a process and entirely involves making the semi-habituated gorillas get used to human presence prior introducing them to mountain gorilla trekking. The process usually covers about 2 years less or more depending on how quick these apes get used to human presence. Mountain gorillas are shy creatures and the unhabituated ones can easily fear humans. Gorilla habituation in Uganda involves conservationists, trackers, researchers or scientists and involves following the semi-habituated gorilla families the whole day. On settling, you have 4 hours of magical encounter with them, take photos and have an in-depth exploration about their behaviors.
Out of about half of all the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas that live in Uganda, about 21 families have been habituated, 20 in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and only 1 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park although Hirwa group of Volcanoes National Park recently joined Nyakagezi group them two groups in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla habituation in Uganda is currently conducted in Kutu gorilla group in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Rushaga sector is the Southern gorilla trekking region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Brief history of gorilla habituation
Gorilla habituation process date back to the 1960s in Central Africa and it was initiated by Dian Fossey. She conducted it alongside gorilla tracking, identification, range mapping and many research activities which presently have been implemented to date by conservation authorities in respective gorilla destination. This exercise is essential for mountain gorilla conservation programs and research as it allows easy monitoring of their population trends, health and many more.
Best time to go for gorilla habituation experience 2021/2022
Gorilla habituation experience is best carried out during the peak or dry season which begins in the months of December, January, February and June, July, October. It is also possible to go for mountain gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the wet months of the year which start in March, April, October and November.
Guidelines to observe during gorilla habituation experience for 2021/2022
On gorilla habituation experience, all trekkers are required to observe the set safety measures just like it is a case with gorilla trekking. The same rules for gorilla trekking apply to visitors on gorilla habituation experience except during habituation experience, visitors have 4 hours of magical encounter unlike 1 hour which is given for visitors on gorilla trekking. Persons above 15 years are the only ones allowed to be part of habituation experience, a distance of 7 meters must be kept at all times from mountain gorillas, no flashlight camera is allowed when taking pictures of mountain gorillas, don’t go for habituation experience when sick, cover your mouth in case of cough and nose when sneezing.
Cost of gorilla habituation experience permits in Uganda 2021/2022
Gorilla habituation experience permits in Uganda cost $1500 per person for visitors under category foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents and shs.750000 for East African citizens. You can reserve your permit through our reservation team or directly through reservation team at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Please secure your gorilla habituation experience permit early before the actual date of visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
What to pack for gorilla habituation in Uganda 2021/2022?
These include; Long-sleeved shirts, Waterproof day pack, Bottled drinking water at least two, Snacks/packed lunch, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Gardening gloves, Camera without a flashlight, Sweater, Hat, Insect repellents, Trousers and First aid kit
How to get to Rushaga region of Bwindi National Park
Rushaga region is in the Southern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda. It is reachable by road or by air. By road, you can spend about 9-10 hours driving from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. From Kigali capital city, driving to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can take you about 3-4 hours driving.
To save time and not to spend long hours on road, you can take flight services from Kajjansi airfield or Entebbe airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip where you can drive to the Rushaga area-the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.