Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda
Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda.
Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda : The process to training mountain gorillas to live nearer to humans as they go about their daily lives is known as gorilla habituation. The process of gorilla habituation occurs at only one safari destination in Uganda which is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The gorilla habituation experience is very outstanding since one gets to spend more time with the gorillas, compared to the one hour of Gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation tourists spend four hours in the presence of the gorillas.
Not everyone should do the gorilla habituation experience because it requires more time, money, energy, permits, and endurance because it takes four hours to spend with the gorilla families. It takes four hours to become habituated to gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you may spend the entire day trekking and seeing the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. During gorilla habituation excursion in Bwindi Impenetrable forest is where one can observe the mountain Gorillas, with the presence of the conservationists, scientists, Researchers and Rangers. Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda only takes place in Rushaga southern part of Bwindi impenetrable Forest.
Only four individuals are allowed every day, and only one group is able to go through the gorilla habituation experience. This experience has been in place since 2016 and this has been taken by few people compared to the normal Gorilla trekking. A wonderful way to spend time with the gentle, endangered giants of the forest is through gorilla habituation. During this Gorilla Habituation Process one can be able to get as close as they can to the gorillas despite them being Rangers, Researchers or trackers.
You must be physically fit before trekking, and it is recommended that you prepare for the journey by going on lengthy hikes. In contrast to the typical one-hour journey, gorillas allow one to spend several hours with them, making them worthy of admiration. You will take part in the gorilla’s process of becoming accustomed to your surroundings in addition to simply observing. This is an all-day Gorilla trek experience; only four people are allowed to habituate. You’ll get the opportunity to discover more about the customs and behaviors of mountain gorillas.
Best time to go for gorilla habituation experience in Uganda.
Although you can go on a gorilla habituation experience in Uganda at any time of year, the best times to go are from June to September and from December to February during the dry season. This is because there is less rainfall in the park during these months, making access roads and gorilla trekking trails passable, making the trek easier than it would be during the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
Cost of gorilla habituation permit in Uganda.
A gorilla habituation permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park costs 1,500 USD per person for foreign non- residents, 750 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book gorilla habituation permits in Uganda.
You can reserve a gorilla habituation permit in Uganda by contacting a tour operator like us, and then providing us with the date, month, and year of your gorilla visit. When you get in touch with us, we’ll see if there are any permits available for your desired dates. If so, you’ll need to send us a deposit. We will obtain the gorilla habituation permit on your behalf as soon as the payment is completed, and we will confirm this by sending you a scanned copy of the receipt.
However, because gorilla habituation permits in Uganda are limited and often sell out quickly, particularly during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, it is recommended that you book three to six months in advance before the trekking date. This will help you avoid last-minute disappointment.
Where to stay during your gorilla habituation safari in Uganda.
There are an array of accommodation facilities in and around Rushaga sector where you can stay during your gorilla habituation experience. The accommodation options are categorized into budget, mid-range and luxury accommodations like Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Four gorilla lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge, and Nshongi Camp and among others.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Gorilla habituation takes place in the Rushaga sector, which is accessible by road from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and finally the park headquarters. The drive takes approximately nine to ten hours. Rushaga sector is situated in the southern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
It is also possible to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali, Rwanda. To get there, take a flight to Kigali International Airport. From there, drive for three to four hours to reach the Cyanika border near Kisoro or the Katuna border, which connects you to the Rushaga sector.
By scheduling a scheduled or charter domestic flight from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connecting to Rushaga sector, you can also reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by air.
Gorilla habituation can be paired with other safari activities, such as gorilla trekking, guided nature walks, bird watching, and Batwa cultural experiences, among others, to create truly remarkable moments. To schedule a gorilla habituation safari or for more information, get in touch with us to have lasting safari memories.
