Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is an incredible life experience in the East African community, that gives you the chance to spend 4 hours in the company of the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. An activity did into the forest alongside park rangers who leads you in blazing trailheads through the wilder sides of the forest in search of gorilla families you’re assigned. However, the gorilla habituation experience starts with a briefing at the park headquarters to be briefed about the rules of gorilla habituation and then head out of the forest. Gorilla habituation is a process done throughout 2 to 4 years under training to get used to the eye contact of humans. After realizing that the gorilla group is fully habituation then it is officially open for tourism. Meanwhile, Gorilla habituation is a full-day life experience not unlike gorilla trekking which is a half-day activity. More so, during a habituation gorilla experience, you can spend up to 4 with highly intelligent and unique species while standard gorilla treks offer you the chance to stay up to one hour in the company of the gorillas in their natural habitat. The gorilla habituation process introduces the gorillas to human presence, which takes between 2 to 4 years and is essential for the continued research, care, and conservation of the gorillas. Just know, Gorilla trekking is an incredibly humbling activity and the habituation process is fundamental to the continued protection of the gorillas,
Generally, Uganda is home to an estimated half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population, and gorilla trekking in Uganda is known as one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences on the continent.
Those travelers wishing to take a more active role in the protection and understanding of these gentle giants, you can be the rangers and conservationists in the habituation process of two more gorilla families/groups in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
More so, Gorilla habituation in the world can only be done through Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park home to half world’s remaining population of gorillas in the wild. It is home to over 22 habituation gorillas families-group which are divided into four gorilla families; Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo Gorilla Sectors. And gorilla habituation is only available in Rushanga gorilla sectors which were separated from the other three gorilla families –Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija for gorilla trekking. The Rushanga gorilla sector is found in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National park.
Note; The gorilla habituation experience costs USD1,500 that involves spending four hours with a group of gorillas while a standard gorilla trekking permits cost USD700 and involves one hour to spend with them and learn about their behaviors, feed, survival and take photos among others.
The gorilla observe during the habituation experience are less used to humans than those seen on the standard gorilla treks ‘’ though they are still being habituated’’. The gorilla experience is completely safe and the benefit of spending more time with gorillas allows you to understand their behaviors and social dynamics as well as enjoy memorable photographs, Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda
Fact about a Gorilla Habituation Trek;
The first part of any gorilla habituation excursion in Uganda allows an expert team of guides and scouts, for tracks left by the gorillas in the forest.
The strongest clue is that the gorilla habituation experience is unpredictable in finding the gorilla’s nest from the previous night. It can take up to 7 hours and more to locate a gorilla group.
Once trackers allocate the gorilla family, you can spend up to 4 hours with the gorillas. A habituation gorilla experience offers to visitors an insight into the lives of these thrilling animals that few get to experience.
As you observe the animals up close, interacting with each other in their small groups of 11 to 30 individuals. Where you will start to draw parallels between the gorillas and the experience is humbling.
Then after, a full day affair and returning to the lodge for dinner and a warm shower will be well deserved.
Best time to go for Gorilla Habituation Experience?
The Gorilla habituation experience can be done year-round. Uganda has two dry seasons starting from June to August and from December to February, which are the best months to visit but you need to get prepared for showers at any time of year. Thus making hiking trails easy to hike in search of a gorilla family.
The months of March to May typically see the most rain in Bwindi, but still, you can visit the park because accommodations can be at a low rate very affordable, and park out of crowds. The wet season offers some advantages for photographers.
What to Pack.
They include; Waterproof hiking boots, light, breathable, waterproof jackets and trousers and long-sleeved shirts, Hats, and sunglasses, A lightweight backpack, binoculars, Camera among others, Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda
Where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers excellent Uganda safari accommodations where you can impressive views of the mountains from locally run lodges with traditional architecture.
The most liked luxurious lodges in Bwindi end of the spectrum include; Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge. They blend high-end modern amenities with elegant –built with unshowy wood and stone architecture.
Other options include; Buhoma lodge and Mahogany Springs Safari lodge.
Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and can be accessible by road and by air.
By road; From Kampala driving through different towns and districts to access the main destination ‘’Bwindi’’ takes 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
Alternatively, the park can be accessed by air transport by using domestic flight Aerolink or Bar Aviation from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip takes only one hour to land.
