MAGICAL Gorilla Habituation Experience

Guide to gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Forest with Superfine Safaris Limited.  The unique experience is a 2-3-year process of getting wild gorillas used to the presence of people. Gorilla habituation experience is the first stage all gorillas go through before they are declared free and safe for trekking.  Spend 4 hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family in their natural habitat giving you an opportunity to learn their behaviors and social characteristics.

What is the Gorilla Habituation Experience?

As said earlier, Gorilla habituation is the process of getting wild gorillas accustomed to the presence of humans. In this experience, travelers join the trackers, rangers, and researchers actively involved in the process. You track the gorillas from the point they were last seen the previous day to locate the night nests, and then on to where they will be at that point. Taking part in the experience is an opportunity to observe their behaviors, learn about their social structures, and see firsthand the efforts being made to conserve these endangered primates. Gorilla habituation experience therefore.

Difference between habituation and experience

Whereas some people may mistake the two experiences to be the same, they are totally different. In habitation, you are dealing with wild gorillas, while in trekking, you encounter a trained gorilla familiar to people and well settled. Also, you spend 4 hours with the semi-habituated gorillas in habituation and only one hour with the habituated groups. Also, remember that the semi-habituated group is far less relaxed, while the habituated group is more likely to be relaxed, giving you the true experience of interacting with the gorillas in their normal setting.

Travelers who want o experience the actual difference between habituation and trekking are advised to book both experiences. Our 2-day Bwindi gorilla trekking and the 3-day habituation experience offer you the best of each experience.  The better package is our 5 Days Bwindi Gorilla trekking and Habituation experience is the best for you. Contact Superfine Safaris Limited for an affordable 5-day gorilla trekking and habituation safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Where is gorilla habituation done?

The experimental experience takes place only in the Rushaga sector, south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Only two gorilla families are currently undergoing habituation, each visited by 4 people per day. Bushaho and Bikyingi are the two gorilla families undergoing the habituation experience. The fully habituated gorilla groups in Rushaga sector of Bwindi include Nshongi family, Bweza family, Mishaya family, Kahungye Family, Muzinguzi Family, and Rwigi Gorilla family. Rushaga is one of the preferred gorilla sectors in Bwindi Forest National Park and is the most accessible for those doing Uganda gorilla tours starting and ending in Kigali, Rwanda.

Cost of Mountain Gorilla Habituation experience in Uganda

Each gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents and 750,000 shillings for East African residents. The permit is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority and can either be booked directly through UWA or Superfine Safaris Limited. You can also book through any other company of your choice

Booking guide for the gorilla habituation experience

Early/advance booking is highly recommended for the gorilla habituation experience. There are only eight habituation permits issued each day. Early bookers, therefore, have a high chance of accessing the permits compared to the latecomers. Three to six months is the recommended time for booking the gorilla habituation experience.

Time allowed for the gorilla habituation experience

The allowed time for the gorilla habituation experience is four hours from the time travelers meet the gorillas. However, trekking time can take up to over 6 hours before you meet the gorillas. Unlike in gorilla trekking, where trackers know where gorillas spent the previous night, trackers in habituation experience do not know where gorillas spent the previous night. You together search for the gorillas in the wild, which takes more hours.  The four hours with the endangered gorillas is a magical chance to witness and experience the natural behaviors of mountain gorillas. See how they feed, play, and interact with others in their family

How is the trekking like?

The gorilla habituation experience starts with an early arrival at Rushaga park headquarters, where travelers are registered and briefed on the dos and don’ts of the gorilla habituation experience. Travelers are introduced to what to expect on this day. At 8:0am, the actual hike begins, taking you through different vegetation zones.  Hiking time can take between 3-7 hours, depending on your luck. You are, however, sure of meeting the wild gorillas at the end of the adventure. The allowed time with the gorillas is strictly an hour, and it’s worth it!

What to pack for the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Forest

Among the things you should focus on when planning a gorilla habituation experience tour is what to pack. Make an effort to pack the right things if you want to have the best of this adventure.  Among the things to carry for the gorilla habituation experience include hiking boots, hand gloves, a rain jacket, a hat, sunglasses, a scarf, long pants, long long-sleeved shirt, a first aid kit, toiletries, bottled drinking water and energy giving snacks

Best places to stay in Rushaga

For overnight stays, the Rushaga sector has some of the best lodges to stay. Some of the top lodges in the Rushaga sector include Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Close up Lodge, Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla  Lodge, and Gorilla Valley Lodge, among others. Superfine Safaris Limited help you to book and reserve any lodge of your choice. We collaborate with lodges in Rushaga which guarantee you room availability at affordable rates

Conclusively, gorilla habituation experience is a must-do for adventure seekers in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Contact us today and book your memorable gorilla habituation adventure