3 Days gorilla habituation experience tour takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Bwindi has the highest population of Mountain gorillas in the world. It also has the highest number of habituated gorilla groups – 15 in number. Bwindi is the only gorilla park where one can take park in the gorilla habituation experience. Mountain gorillas are wild and are naturally wary of human beings. If a group is approached without undergoing the full habituation process, they could become aggressive and attack.
The gorilla habituation process involves exposing the gorillas to prolonged human presence around them. This process takes between two to three years. Naming of the gorilla group and individuals is part of the habituation process. The entire process is led by a team of researchers and experienced local trackers. They approach the gorillas in a careful and controlled manner until they are comfortable with their presence. The first step during the habituation process is to gain the acceptance of the dominant male. Once the dominant male is okay with the human intruders, the rest of the group members will follow his lead. When the process is complete, there are several tests that are done before tourists can be allowed to start visiting the group.
The gorilla habituation experience is different from normal gorilla trekking in bwindi because it involves visiting a group that has not completed the habituation process. The experience takes longer (four hours) and involves following the gorillas for most of the day accompanied by researchers. Its more engaging and offers opportunities to learn a lot about the primates and what is being done to protect them globally. Gorilla habituation permits costs $1500 and is done at the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Only four people may participate in the gorilla habituation experience. Read more about Gorilla Trekking Vs Habituation in one of our articles.
Summary of the Tour
Day 1: Pickup and transfer to Bwindi
Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Experience
Day 3: Departure to Entebbe or Kampala
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup from Entebbe or Kampala – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
A driver from Mission Africa Safaris will pick you up from Kampala or Entebbe Airport and begin the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable forest after briefing. Prepare for stops midway to check out the beautiful countryside and take great photos at the equator crossing. The western part of Uganda is blessed with amazing scenery. The Gorilla habituation process takes place in the southern sector of Bwindi. The journey towards this sector involves passing through the rolling hills of Kigezi and valleys of Kisoro. Arrival time is late in the afternoon.
Dinner and Overnight will be at Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Lake Mulehe Lodge or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.
Day 2: The Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi
You should wake up early and take breakfast before heading for briefing at the park offices. While there, you will join other tourists and be informed about what to expect during the gorilla habituation experience. You will be told what not to do and what to carry along during the activity. After the briefing, you will start trekking into the forest accompanied by Rangers, Trackers and Researcher. Unlike standard gorilla tracking where visitors are allowed only one hour with the gorillas, with the habituation experience, you will be with the primates for four hours. As you track the gorillas, you will encounter several forest creatures including birds, butterflies, smaller primates and insects. Listen and observe what the researchers are doing. You may be asked to participate in making gorilla calls, gathering samples or naming group members. After spending your four hours with the primates, you will go back to the lodge for rest and relaxation.
Dinner and Overnight will be at Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Day 3: End of Tour
Wake up early and take your breakfast as you wait for the Guide/Driver to start the long journey back to Kampala or to Entebbe Airport. You will once again have stops at the equator crossing and also for lunch.
Tour Inclusion and Exclusions
The tour cost includes:
- Gorilla Habituation Permits
- Full board accommodation including meals
- Transfers from and to the Airport
- Transportation in a 4 Wheel Drive car
- An English Speaking Driver/Guide who will be with you throughout the tour.
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Drinking water while traveling
- Park entrance and ranger fees
The tour cost excludes
- Accommodation before and after the tour
- Airplane tickets
- A Uganda Visa. This can be got at the airport at a cost of $50.
- Tips to the Guide, hotel staff and park officials
- Alcoholic drinks and laundry
- Personal insurance
Accommodation Options
Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge: Though considered a mid-range lodge. Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge rivals the very best in Bwindi. What sets it apart is the location and romantic atmosphere. We have never heard of any client who has complained of this beautiful and simple safari lodge. The lodge offers privacy and an environment that is peaceful for relaxation before and after your gorilla habituation experience. It is close to Mgahinga national park offering opportunities to go for golden monkey tracking or the more comprehensive Batwa trail.
Like the name suggests, the lodge is built on the shores of the beautiful lake Mulehe. It has 12 spacious cottages with single, double, twin and family rooms. All rooms have a private porch with views of the lake. The lodge has a restaurant, bar and free Wi-Fi among many other services.
Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge is built very close the park office in Rushaga. It offers amazing views of the forest and surrounding areas from the comfort of your room. The rooms are large, very clean and with balconies overlooking the forest. Because of its close proximity to the gorilla tracking starting point, it is a perfect choice for those intending to take part in the gorilla habituation experience. The lodge has a restaurant, bar and ample parking space. Free Wi-Fi is provided in all the rooms. The staff at Ichumbi gorilla lodge are very friendly and will go out of their way to make sure that you have a great experience while with them. They even help you clean your dirty boots after the trek.
Important Information
The gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi is very demanding compared to standard gorilla trekking. It requires trekking through thick forest with unpredictable terrain. It starts very early in the morning and ends late in the afternoon. One needs to be fit enough to enjoy the experience. It is important to hire a porter for the gorilla habituation experience. If you are not sure of your overall fitness, try to take long walks in the countryside as you prepare for the activity.
To cut the journey short, this tour can start from Kigali. This journey by road takes four hours at most. To have the best experience of Uganda and her wildlife, you can combine the gorilla habituation experience with golden monkey trekking or visiting the chimpanzees in Kibale National Park. You could even include a game drive in the breathtaking Queen Elizabeth National Park.
A packing list for the gorilla habituation experience would include long trousers, a backpack, drinking water, rain jacket, long trousers/shirts, hand gloves, hiking boots, a hat and a walking stick. Don’t forget to go with packed lunch because the experience goes on for most of the day. A camera is a must but you will need a binocular for spotting birds and smaller primates along the trails.
Rules
- Gorilla groups undergoing the habituation process are semi-wild. Keep a distance of at least 7 meters.
- Only 4 visitors are allowed to take part in the gorilla habituation experience.
- While with the gorillas, talk in low tones even when asking the rangers and researchers questions.
- You cannot drink, smoke or eat near gorillas. The food may contain germs from your body fluids which could spread to the primates. You don’t want a gorilla to grab food from you violently.
- Do not take part in the gorilla habituation experience if you are suffering from communicable diseases like flu or Diarrhea. Mountain gorillas have low immunity to these infections and a whole group could die just because of flu.
- Flash photography is not allowed because it could alert the primates. Move carefully and slowly when taking photos of the primates.
- Don’t attempt to touch the primates – They are wild animals and unpredictable.
I am very interested in the Gorilla habituation experience.
Me and my wife are interested in the gorilla habitation experience. We will be in Cape Town and would like to fly in October 2nd 2022.
Looking to see if there is space available in July or August for two and the fee. We might also be interested in adding the golden monkey trek or something else.