Gorilla Habituation Uganda, Longer Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Have you ever been part of a gorilla trek in Africa, and the one hour of the magical encounter wasn’t enough for you to get all that you needed to explore the rare mountain gorillas?

Well, if you are looking for that one unique adventure to help you enhance your experience or have a longer time with the endangered mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat, then a gorilla habituation experience should be a must to do primate adventure while you are on an African safari this coming holiday.

Get up close with these great apes while in their natural habitat for up to 4 hours rather than an hour that you get during the usual trek.

The gorilla habituation experience is a unique adventure of its own, and it is only conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, southwestern Uganda.

In most instances, this primate adventure is best known as gorilla training, and it is one way for you to learn in depth about these creatures’ characters, have magical encounters with them and take as many pictures as possible among others.

What is Gorilla habituation experience?

The gorilla habituation experience entirely takes place in a process whereby the wild gorillas are made to get used to human presence prior to opening them officially for visitors to trek.

Usually, this exercise goes for about 2 to 3 years more or less depending on how fast these creatures can get used to human presence.

This adventure is mainly conducted within the semi-habituated families and involves conservationists, park rangers, trackers, gorilla doctors, scientists, and others.

Whether clients are available or not, park rangers and trackers get to the field to keep monitoring the groups undergoing habituation.

Equally, visitors on the gorilla habituation safari experience are required to observe the set rules and regulations, for instance, maintaining a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas at all times, keeping your voices low at all times, but for any need to ask questions, feel free to ask; keep within your group, only persons above 15 years are allowed to take part in this adventure and many others.

Where to go for gorilla habituation experience

Worldwide, the gorilla habituation experience is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park southwestern Uganda. In Bwindi, it is conducted in Bushaho and Bikingi gorilla families.

Bikingi is found within the southern sector of Bwindi National Park, and it is led by a Bikingi silverback. It also comprises of two juveniles, five infants, two sub-adults, five adult females and others.

It was first discovered around the Bikingi area, just adjacent to the Rushaga area. The Bushaho family thrives within the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park. It is composed of 11 members, including 4 adult females, 1 silverback and others.

The cost of gorilla habituation experience permit

Like the usual gorilla treks, in order for you to take part in a gorilla habituation experience, you need a permit.

That said, you can secure your permit in Uganda at $1500 through a registered, recognized and trustworthy ground tour operator or through a reservationist at the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Due to high demand, you are advised to book for your permit early enough to avoid disappointments.

Accommodation for your overnight stay while on the habituation safari experience

The fact gorilla habituation experience is only conducted within Nkuringo and Rushaga – you are advised to book accommodation options within the two sectors in Bwindi.

The notable ones include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge and, in the Nkuringo sector, the nearby and notable lodges for your overnight stay, including Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite, Nkuringo Lodge and Nkuringo Gorilla Camp – a mention but a few.

What to pack for gorilla habituation experience

The key items that shouldn’t miss out in your packing list when it comes to gorilla habituation experience include gardening gloves, rain jacket or poncho, waterproof hiking boots that are lightweight, long-sleeved shirts/T-shirt, sunglasses, daypack, insect repellent, enough drinking water and energy giving snacks, camera with no flashlight, trousers, first aid kit, valid passport, habituation permit, visa, walking stick (you will find walking stick at the park headquarters/safari lodge that you will have overnight stay).

How to get to Rushaga sector

Visitors on gorilla habituation experience can easily get to Rushaga via Kigali, Rwanda, and cross through the Cyanika border area in Kisoro. You will spend about 3 hours driving from Kigali to Uganda, and you head off to Rushaga.

If you have any plans to spend more time in Uganda, Bwindi National Park still has a lot more for you to enjoy besides the gorilla habituation experience.

This means that you can as well incorporate this lovely adventure with other safari activities offered in Bwindi. They include, among others, bird watching, gorilla trekking, nature walks, cultural encounters or community visits in the Batwa or Bakiga community.

In conclusion, for any need to spend more time with mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat, a gorilla habituation experience is the best option to get your dream achieved.