Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda: For gorilla enthusiasts, Uganda offers a rare opportunity to participate in a full day gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Mountain gorillas are the world’s most endangered primate species with only 1,064 remaining in the wild, these fascinating apes are only found in the rainforests of Central Africa spread across Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On Gorilla Habituation Experience you will have up to four spellbinding hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family, accompanied by expert guides and trackers. This is truly one of the most remarkable wildlife encounter on the planet.
In this blog, we have compiled everything you need to know about gorilla habituation experience in Uganda.
Where to find mountain gorillas in Uganda
Uganda is blessed with two protected area where you can find the endangered mountain gorillas; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both found in Southwestern region.
Of the two gorilla habitats, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is more popular and larger. It is home to a huge population of mountain gorillas and is also home to gorilla habituation experience. Bwindi spread across 331 square kilometers of dense impenetrable forest is divided into four sectors for gorilla trekking, these sectors are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Each of the sectors has its multiple habituated gorilla families open for gorilla trekking experience.
Gorilla Habituation Experience takes place in the Rushaga Sector, located in the South of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
What is Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Gorilla habituation is a slow and gentle introduction of a wild gorilla family to the presence of humans, wild gorillas are habituated so researchers can study the species, treat them for sickness and injuries, protecting them from hunters as well as boosting their conservation effort with sustainable tourism.
Only two gorilla families (Bukingyi and Bushasho) in Rushaga Sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are open for gorilla habituation experience.
In order for the gorillas to become accustomed to the presence of humans, each gorilla group has undergone a length habituation process which takes about 2-5 years. This experience is managed by a team of expert researchers, conservationists, trackers and rangers.
Park rangers start the habituation process by short period of time with the gorilla each day, maintain a specific distance at the limit of the gorillas’ comfort zone.
Every few months they gradually increase the time and reduce the distance until they are certain that the gorillas are ready for tourists to visit them. Whilst the gorillas are not yet completely habituated, the gorillas are used to trackers and rangers, but not to strangers or tourists. Gorilla Habituation Experience will help to ensure that they will eventually become fully comfortable in the company of humans.
By participating in Gorilla Habituation Experience you are supporting the crucial work in habituating gorillas and ensuring their survival. It is truly humbling to think that you will be one of the first humans to meet these precious mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Habituation Experience offers a more relaxed and enriching encounter with the gorillas. You will feel less rushed and you will have plenty of time to fully absorb this incredible wildlife experience.
During your four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family you can immerse yourself in their world as they continue to go about their daily lives, feeding and interacting with each other, under a watchful gaze of the might silverback.
Difference between Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience
Both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience are incredible wildlife experience involving trekking deep into the rainforest of Bwindi in search for a wild mountain gorilla family with an experienced tracker. No wildlife encounter on earth can compare to standing quietly a few meters from a whole gorilla family with a huge silverback on watch and baby gorillas jumping from one tree to another.
On a gorilla trekking experience, you get to spend one hour with a fully habituated gorilla family. Whilst gorilla habituation experience allows you spend up to four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family and is only available in Bwindi’s Rushaga Sector.
Gorilla Habituation Permits and their cost
Only 8 permits are available for Gorilla Habituation Experience, with 4 permits allocated for each gorilla family – Bushaho and Bukingyi gorilla family.
Note: we recommend booking at least six months in advance for the Gorilla Habituation experience, especially if you plan to visit during the peak season months, from June to October and December to March.
A Gorilla Habituation Experience costs $ 1,500 offering you four hours with mountain gorillas.
The price for Gorilla Habituation Experience covers your park entrance, expert guides and trackers, 24-hour armed security in the park, and four hours with a semi habituated gorilla family.
Purchasing a gorilla habituation permit contributes to gorilla conservation including research, veterinary care, national park operations and community development.
Age Restrictions
Due to safety concerns, you must be at least 15 years of age to track mountain gorillas or participate in Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda.
Best time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Habituation Experience
With consistent temperatures ranging from 20-25°C, it is possible to do gorilla habituation experience in Uganda all year round. However, the best time for gorilla habituation experience as well as gorilla trekking is during the dry season, from June to August and December to February.
During these months, mountain gorillas retreat into the dense forest during the rains, and the jungle is less muddy and slippery for trekking.
From March to May is a heavy wet season, with a second lighter rainy season falling in October and November. Although you can still trek to see mountain gorillas, be aware that the trails canbe quite muddy and harder to navigate.
The wet season also offers the best conditions of gorilla photography after a rain shower, the air is clear of dust, providing a stunning atmosphere to capture incredible gorilla pictures.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the Southwest of Uganda and can be easily accessed by air or road. Most travelers arrive in Uganda via Entebbe International Airport, the largest airport in the country located in Entebbe City.
For travelers short of time, you can take a flying safari around the country. There are two airstrips servicing Bwindi Region, Kisoro and Kihihi Airstrips located just outside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Both airstrips offer daily flight from Entebbe, and the flight takes around 1.5 hours.
Another option of getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is by road, it is a drive of nine hours. It is possible to break up the trip with stop at other Uganda Destinations such as Kibale Forest National Park to track chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game viewing safari.
It is also possible get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali, Rwanda. This option is perfect for visitors not interested in long journey, fly to Kigali International Airport and head to Bwindi on a drive of 3-4 hours.
