What is Gorilla Habituation Experience? Cost, How its Done & Where;
Gorilla habituation experience is one of the powerful Great Apes adventures that presents tourists a lifetime chance to immerse themselves in the jungles in search for the unique mountain gorillas.
Unlike the usual gorilla trekking, the gorilla habituation involves searching for the semi-habituated gorilla group in the wild and spending up to 4 hours of observing the massive silverback and the rest of the family members.
Gorilla habituation happens to be the process in which the wild mountain gorillas are trained in order to get used to the presence of humans. Multiple visits are paid in the wild for researchers, scientists or environmentalists to make these apes get acquainted to human presence.
Where is Gorilla Habituation Experience Done?
The one-of-a-kind mountain gorilla habituation experience takes place exclusively in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, nestled in Southwestern Uganda. It stands as the sole destination in Africa, and indeed the world, where you can immerse yourself in this extraordinary adventure.
While on gorilla habituation in Bwindi, Rushaga should be your target region/sector. Rushaga is found in the Southern end of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and is where a huge concentration of gorilla groups also reside.
Gorilla habituation is among the newly launched experiences in the lush Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) launched this experience around 2014 and initial groups that were set for this included Bushaho group in Nkuringo and Bikingi gorilla family in Rushaga. Recently, both Bushaho and Bikingi were officially opened for gorilla tourism.
How Does it take to Habituate Gorillas?
Gorilla habituation takes a process which can last for 2-3 years and for chimpanzees it can even go for about 7 years. The length of gorilla habituation may vary significantly depending on how quick these apes can get used to human presence.
In order to achieve this, researchers and their assistants pay multiple visits to a group undergoing the process of habituation, follow them while observing their daily behaviors. The process is generally gradual while the initial stages are usually dangerous for humans because these apes can charge at any time.
Habituation plays a significant for research as it allows primate enthusiasts –primatologists to closely observe and take note of the behavioral patterns of various primates. These includes not only mountain gorillas but also other primates like baboons, golden monkeys and chimpanzees.
The habituation process is usually managed by a team of experts; conservationists, researchers, trackers and park rangers. The process usually begins with the park rangers spending quality time with mountain gorillas on a single day while maintaining a safe distance from these apes’ comfort zone.
As months go by, the number of visits to the jungles to interact with gorillas increase and the distance reduces till they are ready to be visited by tourists. Gorilla habituation experience is essential in that it ensures that gorillas become fully comfortable while in the presence of humans.
Gorilla Trekking Vs Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla trekking entirely involves paying a visit to already habituated gorilla groups with the park ranger guide. Gorilla habituation on the other hand takes you on a search for the semi-habituated gorilla family.
During normal gorilla treks, the standard time spent with gorillas (face-to-face session) is strictly an hour while gorilla habituation allows visitors to spend about 4 hours with these apes in the wild.
Gorilla Habituation Guidelines:
- Use a no flashlight cameras for taking pictures of gorillas.
- Maintain a distance of 8-10 meters from a group of groups.
- Do not go to visit mountain gorillas when sick.
- Visitors above 15 years are eligible for gorilla habituation experience.
- A valid gorilla habituation permit is required.
- Stand still when a gorilla charges at you and observe the instructions from your guide/expert – do not run!
What to Carry on your Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Essentials for gorilla habituation include a valid gorilla permit, a good camera, and extra batteries for your camera, waterproof bags, long-sleeved shirt, enough drinking water, waterproof hiking shoes, snacks, insect repellents, first aid kit, and safari hat.
How much is a gorilla habituation permit?
A permit is a must-have for gorilla habituation experience and you can obtain one at USD 1500 per person. About 75% of the permit cost goes back to support different conservation initiatives aimed at protecting gorillas. Only four (4) visitors are allowed to visit a family undergoing habituation process and this translates to 4 permits.
Due to limited number of permits per single visit and high demand, we recommend that you have your permit and the entire trip planned and booked in advance prior to actual day of engaging in the adventure.
Is gorilla habituation experience safe?
Gorilla habituation is absolutely safe and secure for anyone interested in it. On actual gorilla habituation experience, guests are accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable experts and rangers, then when interacting with gorillas, a safe distance of 8-10 meters is kept.
Best time to go for gorilla habituation;
The best months of the year to enjoy a smooth gorilla habituation experience is during the dry season when there is relative rainfall and the ground can be a little drier. The peak dry months of the year occur in Bwindi from June to September, December to February.
Where to stay?
The key accommodation options worth considering for a night stay in and around Rushaga region while on gorilla habituation comprise of budget, midrange and luxury/high-end.
They include Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge and others.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla habituation?
Traveling to Bwindi for you to engage in gorilla habituation is possible by road or air transportation means. By road, you can set off from Entebbe or Kampala in a 4×4 vehicle via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route and this is about 8-9 hours’ drive or drive from Kigali capital, cross Katuna/Chanika border to Rushaga sector in Bwindi and journey can cover between 4 and 5 hours.
By air; fly in safaris can also be planned for and set off point is Entebbe International Airport (EBB) or Kajjansi airfield and you land at Kisoro airstrip. From Kisoro, your driver guide can connect you up to the lodge around Rushaga.
Best Gorilla Habituation Experience Tour Packages:
3 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Uganda.
Discover more about the world’s greatest apes only in this exceptional 3 days Gorilla Habituation Experience. If you have always wished to spend more time with the rare mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat and… View Tour
11 Days Gorilla Trekking Bwindi.
Experience the ultimate adventure on an 11 Days Gorilla Trekking Bwindi, delving into the heart of its stunning National Parks. Encounter the majestic mountain gorillas in Bwindi, the big five game… View Tour