Gorilla habituation Expereince in Uganda

Gorilla habituation Expereince in Uganda : Gorilla Habituation Experience is a fascinating gorilla habituation experience offering visitors a chance to spend 4 hours in presence of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, this experience is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Rushaga Sector.

Uganda is home to approximately half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population and is the best gorilla destination in the world, gorilla trekking is one of the most incredible wildlife experiences to experience once in a life life.

The Gorilla Habituation Experience

Gorilla Habituation refers to a process through which a gorilla family gets used to human visit, this process is undertaken by a team of specialists that include conservationists, trackers, researchers and park rangers.

Gorilla Habituation Experience was introduced in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 2015 by Uganda Wildlife Authority, for the gorillas to become habituated to tourists; presence takes about 2-3 years of the experience. Each gorilla groups undergoes this extremely delicate process through which they get accustomed to the presence of humans.

The experience starts by park rangers spending a short period of time with the gorillas every day, at a certain distance represents the limit of the gorillas’ comfort zone. As years go by, they increase the time and reduce the distance until they deem the gorillas ready for clients visiting them.

The gorilla habituation experience for the first time allows visitors to participate in this process, this experience is limited to two gorilla families in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bikingyi and Bushaho family groups are found in Rushaga sector.

Gorilla Habituation experience is a four – hour session in which just four visitors a day are allowed to join the specialists as they go about the various actions involved in getting a gorilla troop habituated.

Since 2016, gorilla habituation experience has been carried in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and only 4 visitors are allowed to spend 4 hours in the presence of these gorillas per day.

What to do during Gorilla Habituation Experience

A gorilla habituation experience begins with a morning briefing which is conducted by a ranger who will explain what to expect and some dos and don’t’s when in the presence of the troop.

Then you will head out with the habituation team into the forest, then hike into the thick forests of Bwindi in search for a troop. Along the trop you will see how they look for the trail and the nests used by the troop during the night, this is part the gorilla habituation process. Witness how the trackers work to find a troop, later in the day you are able to head straight towards a troop because the trackers have already pinpointed the various locations of the troops.

When you find the troop, the rangers will do things like make gorilla calls and grunts, also they will chop vegetation with the machetes as they talk among themselves. This is done to get the gorillas used to these noises.

The habituation team will also tell you about the troop you are visiting including things like the names of each gorillas, their habits and personalities.

Note: if the troop you are tracking is early on in the habituation process, the individuals are going to be quite shy around humans. This means you may not get as close to them as you would on a normal gorilla trek, some may even stay hidden.

Price of Gorilla Habituation Experience

Gorilla Habituation Experience permits costs USD 1,500 per person, the permit is only issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority and travelers can acquire it from their trusted tour operators.

Only 8 Gorilla Habituation permits are issued per day, since the permits issued are less compared to the demand, you need to book your gorilla habituation experience permit in advance to avoid inconveniences.

Facts about gorilla habituation experience

How much is gorilla habituation experience permit?

A Gorilla Habituation Experience costs USD 1,500 per person, only 8 habituation Permits are issued out per day by Uganda Wildlife Authority for the two available gorilla families available for habituation experience.

How long do you spend with gorillas during gorilla habituation experience

Gorilla habituation experience offers only four hours of being with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat

When does gorilla habituation experience start?

Unlike gorilla trekking experience which starts at 08:30 am, gorilla habituation experience starts at 07:30 am after briefing then trek into the jungle.

Can I do gorilla habituation experience in any region of Bwindi

Gorilla habituation experience is currently only done in Rushaga sector located in the Southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Rushaga sector has only two gorilla groups available for gorilla habituation experience.

What is included in gorilla habituation experience permit?

A gorilla habituation experience permit includes rangers, researchers and 4 hours you will spend in the presence of the gorillas and park entrance fees to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

How different is gorilla trekking from gorilla habituation?

Gorilla trekking costs USD 700 offer visitors only one hour with the habituated mountain gorillas, gorilla habituation experience costs USD 1,500 allowing visit to stay 4 hours with mountain gorillas.

Gorilla Habituation Experience only takes place in Rushaga sector.

What is the minimum age for gorilla habituation experience?

The minimum age for gorilla habituation experience is 15 years and above all the minimum number of people per group is only 6 people.

Where to stay for a Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda

There are many accommodation options in Rushaga Sector and the best options include

• Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
• Gorilla Safari Lodge – Rushaga Sector
• Bwindi Guest House among others

What to pack for a gorilla habituation experience

 To have a memorable gorilla habituation experience, you need to pack right items and these must include

• Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support. Make sure your shoes are well worn – in before departing to avoid any nasty blisters.
• Light, breathable, waterproof jackets and trousers and long – sleeved shirts. Due to variable weather and to avoid bites from any insects. Wear light and long layers, tuck in your long trousers into your socks to avoid getting bitten by the insects
• Carry warm layers for the chilly mornings and cold nights, long, light weight woolen socks.
• Wide – brimmed hat and sunglasses for protection from the sun
• Toiletries such as sun screen, insect repellent, after-sun, bite relief cream and lip balm
• Garden gloves to protect your hands as you grip on the vegetation during the trek
• Bring a small backpack to carry your water, lunch and extra clothes
• Binoculars and a camera, carry extra lenses and batteries. Bring more memory as there are more to capture.