Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is carried out in Bwindi forest national park and is among the activities to do during tours around Uganda. This activity involves introducing the gorillas to the presence of humans in their natural habitat.
The gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is a way to conserve the gorillas and is also a way to protect and understand the gorillas. Gorillas in Uganda can be seen in Bwindi forest national park and also in Mgahinga national park.
In Uganda, half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas can be seen during tours. The gorilla habituation experience in Uganda takes about 4 hours of interacting with the gorillas in Bwindi forest national park.
Gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park is carried out in the Rushaga sector which is found in the southern part of the destination. Other sectors of Bwindi national park where gorillas can be seen include Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector and also Ruhija sector. Buhoma sector is the most popular sector for trekking in Bwindi national park and is located in the northern part of the park.
Some of the habituated gorilla families in Bwindi national park include Habiyanja, Rushegura, Mubare, Mishaya, Bweza, Nshonji, Kahungye, Busingye, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro among others. There are about 19 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi national park.
Tourists who prefer to spend more time with the gorillas in Bwindi forest take part in gorilla habituation. The process of gorilla habituation takes time and it could be about 2 to 5 years to get the gorillas used to the presence of humans in their natural habitat.
Difference between gorilla habituation and gorilla trekking
When visiting Bwindi forest national park, activities that can be done with the gorillas include gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda involves hiking through the dense forests of Bwindi national park and spending one hour with the gorillas. The difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation is that trekking can be done in all the sectors of the national park while gorilla habituation is done in only Rushaga sector. Tourists engaging in gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park are divided in groups of 8 before moving into the forest.
More time is spent with the gorillas during gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park and this experience provides more insight on the lives of the gorillas with the help of guides and rangers who accompany visitors as they hike into the forest to search for the gorillas. Trackers, conservationists, researchers also accompany tourists during the gorilla habituation experience in Uganda.
Gorilla habituation is also an experience, which takes a full day when visiting Bwindi national park. For both these activities in Bwindi national park, the park officials before the visitors head out into the forest carry out a briefing.
Both the activities allow tourists to spend time with the gorilla in Bwindi national park and to observe their behavior and also record moments with the gorillas. During recording of the gorillas, it is recommended that visitors turn their flash off to avoid scaring the gorillas.
Visitors are also encouraged to keep a safe distance from the gorillas during their interactions in Bwindi national park. Many other rules and regulations for gorilla trekking and habituation are communicated during the briefing before visitors heads into the forest.
Price of a gorilla habituation permit
A gorilla habituation permit in Uganda costs 1500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 1000 USD for foreign residents and 750,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
When visiting Bwindi national park, some of the items which visitors need to pack include waterproof hiking boots, waterproof jackets, sunglasses, hat, backpack, binoculars, camera among others. It is also important to hydrate and go with snacks and a packed lunch during a gorilla habituation experience.
There is an age restriction on gorilla habituation for tourists visiting Bwindi national park and children below the age of 15 years are not allowed to engage in gorilla habituation at the destination.
The number of gorilla habituation permits which are issued out daily when visiting Bwindi national park is a group of 4 people are allowed to visit the gorilla family. Booking permits in advance is highly recommended for tours to the national park since the permits are few in number.
Gorilla habituation permits in Bwindi national park are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). It is recommended that the gorilla permits are booked about 6 months in advance since the permits get sold out.
Best time to go for gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park
Gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park can be done during different months of the year. However, certain months of the year are favorable for the activity.
June to August and also December and February are the best months for gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park. For photography, the rainy season around March to May and also November is better due to the clearer photos. Fewer tourists however visit the park during the rainy season due to the slippery trails, which make it hard to hike to where the gorillas are.
How to get to Bwindi national park
Bwindi national park is a destination in the south western part of Uganda and it can be accessed by driving and also by flight.
Due to the long distance between Kampala or Entebbe and Bwindi national park, flights are an easier way to get to the destination. The airstrips which tourists going to Bwindi national park can fly to during their tours include Kihihi airstrip and also Kisoro airstrip. The flights to Bwindi national park are operated by airlines such as Aerolink and also Bar Aviation. The flights operated to Bwindi national park are scheduled and charter flights.
The drive to Bwindi national park takes about 8 to 9 hours from Kampala and stops can be made along the way at the equator and also in Mbarara.
There are different places to stay where during gorilla tours in Bwindi national park and these lodges are budget, midrange and also luxury lodges found in different parts of the national park.
