Gorilla Habituation in Uganda

Spend four hours with mountain gorillas by booking our gorilla habituation experience safaris. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced gorilla habituation since January 2014. All those interested in the habituation experience pay USD1800 per person per experience. According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, two gorilla families have been put aside and dedicated for this experience in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

In this experience, clients spend more time (four hours) with mountain gorillas compared to gorilla trekking, which is restricted to only one hour. It is true that normal gorilla trekking can take three quarters of the day but this involves a trek to and from the gorillas but the actual time spent with the gorillas for observation and photography is only one hour. With mountain gorilla habituation experience, clients will move with experts, spend more time and see how gorillas are habituated to get used to human beings. This experience has attracted more tourists since your spend more time (Four hours) compared to those interested in doing two treks. The only difference is that those going for this experience should expect to visit semi habituated mountain gorillas which can decide to hide, behave in a manner that is not usual and the experience can be stopped upon advice from the experts and guides. For more information about gorilla habituation experience safaris, kindly read frequently asked questions or contact one of our consultants at Qash Safaris. We book gorilla habituation experience permits and so much more. All those interested in Gorilla habituation safaris for 2022-23 should contact us for more details.

Gorilla habituation is a process where wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to people (Not actual definition). Gorilla Habituation may take between two to three years to be completed and during this time, researchers keep on visiting an identified Wild gorilla group on a daily basis. They get to learn more about individual gorillas and the way they behave. With time, these gorillas get used to these researchers and in the long run, each individual gorilla is given a name. Once researchers are sure that these mountain gorillas can be trekked, they then introduce a mock exercise where some few people who may include scientists, journalists start visiting it. Once such a gorilla family has passed mock exercise, then it is opened for trekking.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has about 19 habituated gorilla families which include Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura in the Northern section of the park called Buhoma, then Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro in the Eastern Part of Bwindi in Ruhija, Nshonji, Mishaya, Busingye, Bweza, Kahungye in Rushaga and then Nkuringo Gorilla Family all in the south. At the moment, eighty-eight gorilla permits are available for purchase from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Two gorilla families have been put aside for gorilla habituation experience and are located in the Nkuringo and Rushaga side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It’s, for this reason, that gorilla habituation safaris can only be done in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

HOW TO BOOK GORILLA HABITUATION EXPERIENCE PERMITS

For one to spend four hours with mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable National Park, one has to hold a valid gorilla habituation experience permit for Rushaga or Nkuringo. Uganda Wildlife Authority issues gorilla habituation permits out with cash payment on first come first serve. Only four people are allowed to spend four hours with mountain gorillas per day. This is because these mountain gorillas for gorilla habituation are not still undergoing habituation and thus human interference must be controlled. To get your gorilla habituation permit, kindly send us an email showing date, month, and year when you wish to come to Uganda for gorilla habituation experience. We will then contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority about the availability of permits. Should we get them, we will then reserve them on their system, send you an invoice to make payment. Once payment is made, we will go ahead and buy/secure your gorilla permits and of course send you scanned copies for your records. Once we have your permits, we will tailor your safari by suggesting Lodges in Rushaga, Nkuringo or Rubuguri plus your transport to and from the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Since this experience is reserved for only 4 tourists per day, it is important to book your permits early. Gorilla habituation permits cost only US$1800 per person and you can obtain the gorilla permits through a local tour operator.

We advise that bookings for gorilla habituation permits should be atleast 3 months from the actual date of the activity for the low season and atleast 6 months before the actual activity date for the peak season.

Best Time to go for Gorilla Habituation

The best times to visit Bwindi are during the two dry seasons: from June to August and December to February, during these months, the weather is typically pleasant with temperatures ranging between 20-25°C. However, showers can happen at any time of year, so visitors should always be prepared for rain. The wet season (March to May) sees the heaviest rainfall, which can make trekking more challenging but also offers clearer air for photography, with mist and rain creating a moody atmosphere around the park.

The Age Limit for Gorilla Habituation in Uganda

The minimum age for participating in the gorilla habituation experience is 15 years old. This age limit ensures that visitors are physically capable of trekking through the forest and are able to respect the safety and rules around interacting with the gorillas.

Cost of Habituation Permits in Uganda

The cost of a Gorilla Habituation Permit in Uganda is USD 1,800 per person. This special permit gives you the rare opportunity to spend up to four hours with a semi-habituated mountain gorilla family in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, compared to the one hour allowed during standard gorilla trekking. The permit fee supports gorilla conservation, research, and community development programs around the park. Since habituation permits are limited and highly sought after, it is recommended to book in advance through a trusted safari operator like Qash Safaris Ltd to secure your permit and arrange a seamless gorilla habituation experience.

Where to Stay During Habituation

There are several accommodation options near Bwindi, ranging from luxurious to more affordable choices. Some top rated lodges include, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge and which offer high end amenities and stunning views of the mountains, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, another popular luxury option, for a more budget-friendly options, consider staying at Four Gorillas Lodge, which still provides great service and beautiful surroundings.

What To Pack for the Gorilla Habituation Experience

As you go for gorilla habituation in Bwindi Rushaga sector, you must prepare for the damp weather in the national parks. This packing list is effective for not only travelers to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park but also other gorilla parks in east Africa. Here’s a list of essentials for your gorilla habituation experience?

Have some insect repellents because there are mosquitoes, wasps and other insects in the jungles. You’ll need to carry it on the gorilla trek so that you keep smearing on your skin or hands to keep insects away.
Have a first aid kit. You never know what might happen to you while trekking to see gorillas. A small cut, bruise or injury in the middle of the forest can easily be infected, so it’s advisable to have bandages, cotton or wax which can be wrapped around any cut or injury.
Pack a sun screen in case you’re not comfortable with too much sunlight during the dry season. Likewise, a hut will also protect you from direct sun rays.
You need a camera to photography gorillas, so take extra batteries, lenses and their water proof cover.
Warm jackets or sweaters can be put on during cold morning.
Pack enough drinking water, energy drinks and food. Once you’ve set off from the gorilla trekking centres, you have no place to get eats and drinks. Usually your lodge prepares lunch boxes. Gorillas also move frequently in the forest and it can take 30 minutes or more than 8 hours to locate them. We recommend tourists to speak to their guides at the start of the gorilla trek about their trekking capacity and fitness levels. Once you do that, you’ll be allocated to gorilla families that easy to reach and avoid disappointment.
Hiking boots are very essential over steep mountainous terrain between 2400 to 4500 meters above sea level in Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. In Bwindi mountains have thick vegetation. Boots should cover up your ankle borne; add on long wool stockings and guitars for protection since you go through deep muddy trenches, river and sharp thorny bushes can be harmful without protection.
Pack garden gloves to protect your hands. Caterpillars or insects can harm your hands when hiking in the forest. Grab a walking stick, muddy trails will inevitably make you hold against tree branches or grass for support.
Breathable rain jackets or ponchos are very important to have on a gorilla trek to prevent you from getting wet and also protect your camera equipment. Rain is highly unpredictable in the gorilla parks whether it’s a dry season or not.
Wear long pants that dry quickly to protect your legs from thick plants, nettles, and thorns. Tuck the pants into your boots to stop ants and leeches from getting inside.
Pack long-sleeved shirts or sweaters in nature-friendly colours. When searching for gorillas, you’ll go through thick plants, bugs, and thorny branches that can scratch your arms. T-shirts are good too because it can get hot while hiking. Bring an extra fleece for warmth, as it can be cold when you reach the gorillas, and you might encounter spider webs along the way.