What Makes Gorilla Habituation Experience In Uganda Unforgettable

Gorilla habituation experience is an Africa safari where you follow the semi habituated mountain gorillas in the wild getting them accustomed to human presence. You do not need to change there natural way of life because nature is there best provider. The gorillas are entirely vegetarian but may pick some antis once in a while.

In Uganda Gorilla habituation is done in the southern part of Bwindi.  Rushaga gorilla trekking area and Nkuringo gorilla trekking area are the stops for gorilla habituation in Uganda. One of the gorilla families used for gorilla habituation is called Bikingi gorilla family. You will notice that the gorillas are still shy even when they are semi habituated. The presence of humans makes them shy a little beat.

It feels great being part of the team that helps a gorilla family get accustomed to human presence. It’s once in life time experience being in the company of the great mountain gorillas. When the gorilla family is finally announced open to all tourists, you feel like you are part of the journey of these gorillas.

Although gorilla trekking is the most sought after, only one hours is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you locate them. This is because they are no accustomed to the presence of humans so they are not so shy to be in your presence.

For gorilla habituation you take about 4 hours with the mountain gorillas because they are not used to be with humans in there space.  They keep hiding too so you have to stealthily follow them around and not agitate them. The Late Diane Fossey during her mountain gorillas research in Rwanda discovered that to protect the mountain gorillas that were at the verge of extinction, humans have get closer to them through gorilla trekking.

How To Do Gorilla Habituation in Uganda

You have to wake up earlier than those going for gorilla trekking to catch up with the mountain gorillas as soon as they de-nest. Do not forget to pack the right gorilla habituation gears favorable for jungle experience. You head to the ranger station by 0700hrs and join the conservationists and scouts. Only 4 tourists are allowed to do gorilla habituation per day

You follow the trail where the mountain gorillas were seen the previous day but some patience is required to enjoy the entire experience. Sometimes you may walk for over 4 hours but when you locate the remains of the nests that were beds for the gorillas the previous night then you are closer to locating them.

Mountain gorillas do not feed very far from there overnight spot because of there bulk size like a silver back may weigh about 200 kg that doesn’t favor very fast mobility. There things you only experience during gorilla habituation that you can never see during gorilla trekking because you have extra time with the gorillas.

Follow to instructions from the researchers as they have better knowledge about almost all members of a particular family. They may even tell you where each family member slept once you locate the nesting point.

Keep your voices low, do not stare in the eyes of the mountain gorillas for long, be obedient to the silverback because he may want to show off his autonomy.  Look out for the behavior of the gorillas, helping in noting down the way they feed, interact with each other, feed the infants and so much more.

Look out for other primates like blue monkeys, black and white colobus, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons. The rich avian life is exceptional.

Retreat slowly from the presence of the mountain gorillas to your lodge.

How Safe Is Gorilla Habituation

Gorilla habituation is safe even when the gorillas are semi habituated. You have to follow instructions from the researchers because they have better information about the life of the gorillas. A team of ranger guides follow you into the forest to provide more protection. They are in constant communication with the headquarters on the radio call in case they need backup, you are covered.

Personally, wearing the right body attire like tracking boots, insect repellant, long safari clothing is personal protection against rough wild environment.

What Is The Cost Of Gorilla Habituation Safari

At the moment the gorilla habitation permit costs $1500 per person per trek. This carters for the ranger guide services, funds for gorilla conservation, park fees, gorilla medication, part of per year profit is given back to support community projects. This is one way to encourage the community to participate in the mountain gorilla conservation.

How To Book Gorilla Habituation Permits

You must have a dates when you wish to do gorilla habituation, the number of people travelling with ad year of travel. Our Safari consultant check availability of gorilla habituation permits from Uganda wildlife Authority remember getting them is quite challenging because they are limited.

To confirm your interest in gorilla trekking, you need to pay for your permit in advance since they are on first come first served basis.

Gorilla habituation is a whole year activity so no specific time is set for gorilla habituation.

When you miss gorilla habituation and you report in advance before start of your gorilla trek date, you may be refunded according to the Uganda Wildlife Authority Terms and conditions.

How Many Gorilla Habituation Permits Are Available in Uganda

4 gorilla trekking permit per family are available and only 2 gorilla families are open for gorilla habituation in the southern sector of  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Habituation In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

15 years and above are allowed to do gorilla habituation. This is because of a number of factors. The topography of this area is mountainous calling for hiking at times to locate the gorillas. A child below this age may not withstand such conditions.

The time of locating the gorillas during gorilla habituation is unknown which requires some level of patience. This may not go well with a child below this age.

Gorillas are at times provocative which requires you to be calm and a child below this age may not be in position to endure this teasing. There reaction like noise making may push the gorillas far into hiding.

What Is The Difference Between gorilla trekking and gorilla Habituation

Gorilla trekking lasts only one hour with the gorillas when you locate them while gorilla habituation you have about 4 hours in the company of the gorillas.

Gorilla habituation tourists follow the semi habituated gorillas while gorilla trekking they are fully habituated gorillas.

How Fit Must One Be During Gorilla Habituation In Uganda

Some level of fitness is necessary for a successful gorilla trekking experience. You need to stretch your muscles a little so that you can catch up with climbing the slopes where the gorillas feed from at times. You do not need to be in the gym to get the fitness you need No, even simple walks in your compound just to get your muscles accustomed to extra walking.  

Is Photographing Allowed During Gorilla Habituation

Yes photographing during gorilla habituation is allowed but you must use a sound proof flash-less camera. Keeping memories of you encounter with the mountain gorillas is special. Gorilla habituation is a once in life time experience. When a gorilla family under habituation is finally recognized as one worth adding to the gorilla families to be trekked, your contribution to this fun but honorable activity is more satisfying

What Accommodation To Book For Gorilla habituation in Uganda.

Variety of accommodations are available for you to book during gorilla habituation in Uganda. You have to book those located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National park because they are close to the gorilla families to be habituated. They range from Luxury accommodation, to Mid- range to modest facilities. Your budget determines where you can overnight.

Some of the accommodations in Southern Part of Bwindi impenetrable National Park include Gorilla safari Lodge, Rushaga Lodge, Clouds Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge  to mention but a few

What Itinerary To Use For Gorilla Habituation

 3 Day Gorilla Habituation In Uganda

Day 1 Drive To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

A ranger guide will pick you from your overnight hotel and drive you to Bwindi Forest National Park. The park has a beautiful dense canopy and home to a number of other primates apart from the mountain gorillas. The rich bird life is unbelievable including 23 of the 24 species of Albertine endemics. Arrive late evening and check into your lodge.

Day 2 Gorilla Habituation Day

After very early breakfast, pack your gorilla habituation gears and packed lunch. Don’t forget a mask to wear while following the mountain gorillas. They are highly susceptible to human infection like covid-19, flu so we need to protect them.

Listen to instructions about how to behave while searching and following the gorillas. Finally when you locate them, observe the way they interact, the number of family members, behavior of silverback and so much more.

After 4 hours, return to the lodge to relax after a quite tiresome but rewarding experience.

Day 3 Drive Back To Entebbe Airport

Conclude your safari with a drive back to Entebbe To catch up with your flight back home

Rules Of Gorilla Habituation in Uganda

No feeding the mountain gorillas because they are wild animals that must look for own food.

Use a sound proof camera without flash to take photographs during gorilla habituation.

Have covid-19 negative results at least 72 hours before gorilla habituation or immunize fully for covid 19 and carry your certificate for conformation.

No spitting on the grass as this is food for the mountain gorillas. Its unhygienic too.

Never provoke the mountain gorillas during gorilla habituation because this may cause a rampage.

Do not smoke or eat while in front of the gorillas because they may grab what you are feasting on and eat it which may cause harm to them.

If you wish to ease yourself, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole of about 30 meters deep and cover beyond recognition after

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